Enlighten Awards Recognize Innovations in Lightweighting and Sustainability in the Automotive Industry
The annual Enlighten Awards, presented by Altair and in association with the Center for Automotive Research, celebrate automakers and suppliers who have made significant advancements in lightweighting and sustainability within the automotive industry. With the objective of achieving Colin Chapman’s ideology of adding lightness to vehicles, these awards recognize the innovations that promote energy efficiency, reduce emissions, and improve overall performance.
Weight reduction has long been a challenge for production-vehicle engineers. Striking the right balance between strength, durability, and weight has been vital to ensure vehicles meet safety standards and customer expectations. By making vehicles lighter, even by a small margin, manufacturers can improve various aspects, including performance, handling, fuel efficiency, and emissions.
This year’s Sustainable Product category winners are Polestar in the passenger car segment and Nikola in the Class 8 truck segment. Polestar secured the award for their ’24 Polestar 2’s next-generation electric motors, which offer improved efficiency, quicker charging, and longer range. Nikola, on the other hand, impressed the judges with their commitment to 100% recycling and reuse of scrap produced during battery production, as well as the responsible handling of hazardous waste from their Nikola Tre fuel-cell vehicle.
In the Sustainable Process category, ArcelorMittal emerged as the winner for their use of biomass in carbon-neutral steelmaking. The company’s innovative approach has paved the way for more sustainable steel production, reducing its environmental impact. Brose Antriebstechnik GmbH, Cokie. KG Berlin, received the runner-up position for their Reman-Drive remanufactured e-bike drive, contributing to the circular economy. Additionally, Kasai Kogyo Co. Ltd. Kasai Hi-Papia received an honorable mention for their development of an original sustainable material.
The Responsible AI category recognized Volteras as the winner for their novel approach to connecting the electric vehicle ecosystem. The integration of artificial intelligence in the automotive industry is crucial for the development of future mobility solutions. Volteras’ achievement demonstrates their commitment to responsible and intelligent use of AI.
Toyota, BASF Corp., and US Farathane claimed victory in the Enabling Technology category for their adoption of a resin frame for an ISO-Dynamic seat. This breakthrough exemplifies the collaborative efforts between companies to develop new and efficient alternatives for automotive components. NIO HPDC secured the runner-up spot for their advancements in material and processing methods for efficient structural design.
Toyota, Adient, and Multimatic were honored in the Module Lightweighting category for their IsoDynamic Seat, Accra SuperStructure, which optimizes weight while maintaining passenger comfort and safety. Nemak secured the runner-up position for their BMW HPDC E-bracket, highlighting their dedication to lightweighting initiatives.
The Future of Lightweighting category acknowledged Marelli as the winner for their lightweight urethane utilized in interior products, offering improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions. Solvay Specialty Polymers received the runner-up position for their Ajedium PEEK Slot Liners, which contribute to weight reduction in critical areas. WorldAutoSteel and Ricardo, along with Michigan Technological University, both received honorable mentions for their contributions to steel body structures in autonomous vehicles and the development of a steel E-motive side closure mechanism, respectively.
The winners of the 2023 Enlighten Awards were formally announced during the CAR Management Briefing Seminars on August 1st. The esteemed partners for these awards include Automotive Engineering SAE, Tech Briefs, Auto Bild Japan, Automobile Industrie, and the Korean Society of Automotive Engineers (KSAE).
Altair, a pioneer in computational science and artificial intelligence, expressed their pride in honoring the innovations that will shape the future of a sustainable automotive industry. By recognizing and celebrating these breakthroughs, the industry can continue to push the boundaries of lightweighting and sustainability.
The Enlighten Awards not only commend the achievements of the winners but also inspire others in the automotive industry to strive for similar advancements. As manufacturers and suppliers continue their pursuit of lighter and greener vehicles, the industry as a whole moves closer to a more sustainable and efficient future.
