Autonomous or smart transportation has gone from concept to fast-evolving reality in just a few years. All aspects of transportation systems will be touched by dramatic. technological developments, not just cars, but also buses, parking systems, planes, trains, traffic management, trucks and, of course, all important safety systems. New devices are therefore seen as key to enabling Smart Transportation.
Cars have up to 100 sensors and with increased use of systems such as Bluetooth LE, Wi-Fi & Cellular, more devices with added functionality are being developed. But such devices will often need new power sources to operate autonomously for a long time (circa 10 years). This is all the more important as cabling is the third heaviest component (behind chassis and engine), averaging 100 kg (Automotive Sensors, 2017).
The enabling technology for deploying increased sensor numbers is distributed energy storage using Solid State Batteries (SSB) such as Ilika’s Stereax™.
Ilika plc (LON:IKA) is a pioneer in materials innovation and has been inventing new materials for energy and electronics applications for over a decade. Global brands such as Rolls Royce and Toyota have long term collaborations with Ilika’s development teams.