Automotive
|
 |
|
- A full range of technical capabilities from concept to delivery
- R&D facilities with a reputation for versatility and creativity
- Asia’s Automotive Design Hub – here in Melbourne
|
|
|
|
Full range of technical capabilities from concept to delivery
|
Our strong design and technological capabilities have been built upon a long history of manufacturing in Melbourne. This foundation has created a flexible and innovative sector that can offer you:
|
- support for niche opportunities arising from developments in alternative fuels, drive-by-wire and computer systems integration
|
- fast tracking for technology development – fast and cost efficient development of new variants from concept to production
|
- applications engineering (i.e. conversion from concept to application within a model)
|
- a test market for low-volume niche products and customisation
|
- Asian-based engineering and design for around-the-clock operations
|
|
R&D facilities with a reputation for versatility and creativity
|
We have comprehensive research and testing facilities available for collaborative use, including:
|
- A Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) in Advanced Automotive Technology which works with industry partners to develop, assess and share new technologies.
- The Advanced Centre for Automotive Research and Testing (ACART) located at Ford Australia and the University of Melbourne.
- The Automotive Centre for Excellence which brings together sophisticated automotive education and training, research and development.
- The Research Centre for Advanced By-Wire Technologies (RABiT), a cooperative facility for by-wire technology development and vehicle dynamics research.
- MiniFAB, a micro-bio-nano products development company that offers customised manufacturing and advanced product development.
- The RMIT Interactive Information Institute, provides an environment for new ways of computing and communicating for projects involving concurrent design and prototyping.
- The Industrial Research Institute Swinburne (IRIS), works with the automotive industry on advanced product development projects.
- The Australian Synchrotron which is poised to significantly advance research and development.
|
|
Key research areas
|
Our key automotive-related research and development capabilities include:
|
- light metals technology
- fuel cells and hybrid power trains
- occupant comfort/convenience
- car safety
- ride comfort
- intelligent vehicle systems
- instrumentation
- composite materials
- networking and data communications
- computer-aided engineering software
- ‘green’ manufacturing
- joining, forming and/or machining technology
- heating, ventilation and air conditioning
|
|
Emerging technologies:
|
- nanotechnology
- microtechnology
- polymer research
- electronics
- ITS
|
|
Asia’s Automotive Design Hub – right here in Melbourne
|
Melbourne is home to design and R&D centres for the world’s three largest car makers:
|
GM Holden’s design centre in Port Melbourne plays a key role in global design for General Motors; it is the third largest design centre after the US and German centres.
|
Ford’s regional design headquarters in Melbourne plays a lead role in the design and engineering of Ford’s new global range of light commercial vehicles. Other vehicles developed in Melbourne include the AWD Ford Territory (attaining the Australian Design Award) and the Falcon Orion Sedan, Ford’s most advanced rear wheel drive vehicle.
|
Toyota’s Technical Centre in Melbourne forms part of a global network of five integrated design centres using Toyota’s latest design and development tools and methods. The centre is one of the most advanced automotive design and engineering facilities in the region and contributes to the development of innovative vehicles for Toyota’s regional and global markets.
|
