Rockwell Automation has opened a new 8,000ft² Electric Vehicle (EV) Innovation Centre in San Jose, California — within its Information Solutions development facility.

The centre will provide live manufacturing demonstrations, hands-on trials using new technology, and events showcasing collaboration with industry experts and Rockwell Automation partners.

Using augmented and virtual-reality modelling, it will give automotive start-ups and established manufacturers an environment in which to learn new technologies and standards that will enable them to deliver electric vehicles to market faster, with less risk and at lower cost.

The centre incorporates Rockwell Automation’s FactoryTalk InnovationSuite, an integrated solution that combines software from PTC and Rockwell Automation, while Eagle Technologies has provided a battery pack assembly machine, and Fanuc the robots that are integrated with Rockwell Automation technology.

In addition, Hirata — a turn-key assembly line builder — has provided an assembly cell that demonstrates electric drive unit assembly and testing, while Emulate 3D (Rockwell Automation’s simulation software) helps to prototype and test machines before they are built.

Meanwhile, Teamtechnik performs functional testing to confirm that the appropriate level of performance has been achieved before building the drive into an electric vehicle.

John Kacsur, vice-president (automotive and tyre industries) at Rockwell Automation (www.rockwellautomation.com), said: “With growing global consumer demand, electric-vehicle companies are challenged to meet aggressive production timelines.

"We established the EV Innovation Centre to ‘expand their possibilities’ and get their products to consumers quickly and at the lowest possible cost, while operating more efficiently.”

According to Bloomberg New Energy Finance, it is expected that 54% of new vehicle sales will be electric vehicles by 2040.

Batteries currently represent a third of the cost of an EV. Bloomberg says that as battery costs continue to fall, the demand for EVs will rise, with up to 40 million new EV batteries needed annually to power new vehicles.