Supergroup collaboration for the powertrains of the future
Centre X is a new initiative in the field of Production Engineering, led by KTH and Chalmers. Bringing together major stakeholders from academia and industry, the centre will create innovative powertrain solutions, advancing energy-efficient transportation and manufacturing.
A ”powertrain” is the system in a vehicle that generates power and delivers it to the wheels, including the engine, transmission, driveshaft, and drivetrain components. The newly established Centre X aims to advance manufacturing solutions for the next generation of these critical systems, by bringing together KTH, Chalmers, Scania, and Volvo.
”In this collaboration, we will be able to address both societal and industrial needs for sustainable, efficient, and advanced manufacturing processes, contributing to reduced environmental impact and improved energy efficiency in transportation,” says KTH Centre Director Andreas Archenti. ”We also aim to strengthen the competitiveness of companies while advancing academic knowledge in our field.”
Key industrial and scientific challenges in this area include achieving higher resource and energy efficiency, developing sustainable materials, and integrating advanced manufacturing technologies.
Centre manager Maran Tirougnanassambandamourty describes the centre as well positioned to address these challenges and achieve impact through close collaboration with its partners:
”We are building on years of expertise, and by integrating industry insights with cutting-edge academic research, establishing interdisciplinary partnerships and leveraging digital tools, we aim to develop practical, sustainable, and scalable solutions,” he says.
Going forward the centre plans to expand and involve more industry partners. Andreas Archenti also points out the educational mission and the importance of shared knowledge in developing sustainable and efficient powertrain systems:
”As a hub of expertise, we provide a platform for training the next generation of researchers and professionals, and promote knowledge exchange to create lasting impact on both industry and society.”
Centre X will be inaugurated on February 6 and start working within its first projects soon after.
Centre contacts
Text: Alexandra von Kern