Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid
Denise Gray leads GM's Central Hybrid Energy Storage System Group
SAE's Automotive Engineering International magazine reports that General Motors is putting more assets into its efforts to utilize electricity - not only for "telematics" - but for drive systems as well. Telematics is the growing use of electricity for control and features on a car (like this). Navigation systems, entertainment systems; steering and window drive systems are examples of telematics. Drive systems refer to more the "heavy iron" part of an automobile: the brakes, the engine, the fuel system, the transmission. Hybrids, various battery technologies, plug-in hybrids (PHEV) are part of that effort.To emphasize and centralize that "heavy iron" part of work, GM has created a new group, Hybrid Energy Storage Systems, and chose Denise Gray, a mid-career GM electrical engineer, to lead it at its Warren, MI research and development center. Ms. Gray has global responsibilities and have oversight over worldwide GM hybrid development efforts. She is tasked with streamlining the number of systems being studied while making sure all needs are covered.
Ms. Gray said she feels honored to get this development position because it puts her profession of electrical engineering in the front lines of automotive development. She feels that "The E/E (electrical engineering) discipline will be an enabler for making vehicles the best they can be."
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[Source: Automotive Engineering International]

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
jcwinnie 2:20PM (5/21/2007)
Er, Art... separating the two is old order thinking
Telematics, a.k.a., drive by wire, "the network is how to get there", etc., facilitates, enhances, is synergistic with electric drive, mechatronics, "there is a computer in my car and it is telling me that my license has expired", etc.
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Ron Fischer 3:04PM (5/21/2007)
Yes indeed its all getting integrated: engine management, navigation and traffic sensing. The trick is where's the value to monetize? Cruise control begets adaptive cruise begets predictive cruise? Will our cars grow UWB periscopes to sense the surrounding traffic mesh? Can we ever go from driver-oriented selling of cars to the considerably less powerful appeal of something one might label "efficient movement"?
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a k wehl 10:52PM (6/22/2007)
There is no motor that I know of that uses ethanol, let alone
run on it. Only engines run on (burn) ethanol as a small
percentage of the total mix with gasoline.
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