Lithium, GAIA develop BMW 42-volt battery

In the mid 1990s, carmakers in the U.S., Japan, and Europe began looking at increasing onboard electrical power to 42 V, which was expected to provide multiple advantages—better fuel efficiency, reduced emissions, and an expanded array of electronics and creature comforts. Japanese OEMs are leading the way with 42-V systems, with Toyota already having a production model on the road. European manufacturers are aiming at 2004-5 for their initial 42-V introductions, according to Lithium Technology Corp.'s Chairman & CEO, David Cade. The intention of U.S. auto manufacturers regarding 42-V systems is less clear, he added.

Development of 42-V architectures is on a parallel track with the growing commercialization of hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs). Today's HEVs have battery systems ranging from 144 to 288 V, which power an electric motor that works in tandem with a small gasoline-fueled engine.

Building on the technology of an earlier 144-V HEV prototype battery, Lithium Technology, with its partner GAIA Akkumulatorenwerke GmbH, are completing a prototype 42-V battery for BMW that is to undergo testing in the U.S. and Europe. The prototype consists of unique stacked flat cells housed in a standard European automotive battery casing [7 x 7.5 x 12 in (175 x 190 x 300 mm)] in addition to power management and control circuitry. The unit delivers 7-8 kW, with a capacity of 27 A•h, a pulse power capability of 200 A for starting, a low operating temperature of -30°C (-22°F), and an estimated 8-yr life. Battery life, weight, and performance are said to compare more than favorably with competitive lead-acid and nickel/metal hydride units. The battery was designed to meet the 42-V battery specifications of the Astor project, a program sponsored by a consortium of European automakers, including BMW, to test advanced energy-storage systems. LTC and GAIA plan to complete delivery of up to eight more 42-V prototypes and a 288-V HEV prototype battery within the next few months to various customers, including BMW.

According to LTC's Executive Vice President and COO, Andrew Manning, the "42-V prototype represents the culmination of several years worth of advanced technology and product development work for the LTC team in unique large-format flat-cell designs and stacked-cell battery assemblies."

- Kevin Jost

Toyota develops telematics network

Toyota Motor Corp. (TMC) announced that it completed development of G-BOOK, a subscription information network designed to "orderly and efficiently link people, cars, and society anywhere, anytime." In September, G-BOOK opened its introduction site, and this month limited services for PCs, PDAs, and mobile phones were scheduled to begin. A new Toyota vehicle featuring an onboard G-BOOK terminal is scheduled for roll-out later this fall.

G-BOOK is based on the infrastructure of a Toyota membership-based information service and membership system primarily aimed at providing interactive information services via vehicle-mounted wireless communication terminals. It can also be used to link various G-BOOK-compatible functions (e.g., use of a cell phone to determine a vehicle's location, operating status, etc.) and, in the future, will also make it possible to control home appliances and home security systems from a vehicle.

The onboard vehicle terminal features a Data Communications Module (DCM) and a Secure Digital (SD) card to take advantage of the latest network services. Whereas conventional communication, navigation, and car-information services require cell-phone use for access, the DCM allows a direct, one-touch connection. The flat-fee service enables subscribers to enjoy high-speed communications without worrying about log-on time or transmission volume. And the DCM also automatically reconnects if the connection is interrupted while traveling through a tunnel, for instance. Navigational maps and the onboard terminal's basic software are stored in the SD card, which can be inserted into "E-TOWER" terminals at convenience stores and other locations to download local or new maps or to upgrade the onboard terminal's Microsoft Windows CE for Automotive software. Music and games can also be downloaded, and the SD card is compatible with commercially available audio players, digital cameras, and PDAs that use SD cards, making it possible to share music files, images, and games.

Text information is converted at the G-BOOK Center and delivered to onboard terminals so subscribers can listen to the information read in a natural-sounding synthesized voice. In addition to conventional direct user-terminal voice command functions, plans call for the employment of a G-BOOK Center-based central language recognition system called IVR (Intelligent Voice Recognition) for processing of multiple-word commands issued through a cell phone, for instance.

G-BOOK services will span safety and security, navigation, information, entertainment, communication, and e-commerce. Future plans call for the G-BOOK Center to detect the location of the vehicle and dispatch a tow truck or provide appropriate maintenance if a car experiences problems. A service will eventually be offered that will enable customers to access bank and securities accounts to check on balances and transaction details. The entertainment service will include the transmission of "karaoke" or other music, and the downloading of various types of games. A service will also be offered that will enable a group of drivers traveling together to display each other's current location on onboard navigation system maps.

To make it easier for more companies to become G-BOOK content/service providers, Toyota will provide the software specifications needed to develop compatible content. The company views G-BOOK as an important and standard automobile function, so it plans to increase the number of vehicles equipped with G-BOOK terminals and focus on service/content enhancements.

- Kevin Jost