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INDUSTRY NEWS
55THANNIVERSARY
ADVANCED ELECTRIC MACHINES (AEM) SECURES FUNDING TO ACCELERATE EXPANSION OF RARE EARTH AND MAGNET-FREE MOTOR PORTFOLIO
Advanced Electric Machines Group (AEM) has secured £16million of funding to support the expansion of its product portfolio and accelerate development of new electric propulsion solutions. The company’s motors, which can be used for
both primary and secondary drive applications, eliminate the need for permanent magnets and rare earth materials, including the replacement of copper windings with aluminium. This, the company explains, helps customers reduce supply-chain risk while delivering competitive performance, efficiency and cost with reduced weight and improved recyclability. The funding round was led by existing
shareholders Barclays Climate Ventures, PXN Ventures, Northstar Ventures and the Low Carbon Innovation Fund, alongside participation from new investors. Their equity investment is complemented by loan support from Innovate UK, and allows for expansion of facilities, expertise and production capability in Washington. The investment will support development
of AEM’s next-generation high-torque motor platform, extending the company’s existing
technology into more demanding commercial vehicle and industrial applications. AEM’s products can provide a magnet-free
drop-in replacement motor that delivers high efficiency, reduced weight and a competitive cost profile, while maintaining comparable packaging and performance characteristics. AEM manufactures its motors at its facility in
Washington, where rare earth and magnet-free technology is already able to be produced at
commercial scale. The company is leveraging this proven manufacturing capability to support the development and future production of higher- torque products aimed at some of the most demanding electric powertrain applications. Dr James Widmer, chief executive officer and
co-founder of AEM, said: “OEMs are increasingly looking for motor technologies that can deliver performance, cost competitiveness and manufacturing scalability without dependence on rare earth materials and magnets. Our technology has already demonstrated that this is possible in production environments. “This funding enables us to accelerate
development of our next generation of products and expand our offering into higher- power and higher-torque applications. We are building on a platform that is already proven in production and the field and designed to help customers strengthen supply-chain resilience while meeting increasingly demanding performance requirements.”
https://advancedelectricmachines.com/
SYNAPTICON AND STABILUS PARTNER TO DEVELOP INTEGRATED ACTUATORS FOR HUMANOID ROBOTS
Synapticon and Stabilus SE have entered into a strategic partnership to develop and manufacture a joint product line of integrated actuators for humanoid robots and other robotics applications. Synapticon will deliver the intelligence
of the actuator – software, functional safety, electronics, sensor design, and the drive technology. Stabilus will contribute mechanical design, sourcing, industrialisation, manufacturing, assembly, and logistics. The joint product line covers humanoid
joints across all size classes, from head and wrist joints to hips and knees. From the outset, manufacturing is designed for high- volume production, modelled on automotive manufacturing and quality standards. “Humanoid robots need actuators that
bring together motion control, safety, and high-volume manufacturing from day one,” says Simon Fischinger, CEO of Synapticon. “With Stabilus, we gain a partner that has been manufacturing precision mechanics in automotive quality and volume for decades. Together, we are taking the actuation level of humanoid robots from prototype to series production.” David Sabet, chief technology officer of
Stabilus SE, added: “Humanoid robotics is one of the most exciting growth markets of the coming decade. We have known Synapticon for many years and are confident that with this company we have an outstanding partner at our side for our expansion into robotics. Synapticon sets the standard in robotics for integrated drive intelligence and functional safety – exactly the competence that complements our manufacturing and industrialisation strength to form a production-ready overall system. Our ambition is to take a key position in the actuation level of humanoid robots.”
https://group.stabilus.com/ 8 DESIGN SOLUTIONS 1971-2026 JULY/AUGUST 2026
www.synapticon.com/en
www.designsolutionsmag.co.uk STREAMLINING
RACING MOTORCYCLE COMPLIANCE
Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) has chosen Hexagon’s portable measuring arms for its measurement and homologation work on road-legal production motorcycles competing in the FIM Superbike World Championship. All WorldSBK motorcycles need to follow
strict rules to ensure they are built to design guidelines and fine tolerances in conformity with FIM’s technical regulations. FIM technical assessors now rely on Hexagon’s Absolute Arm 7-Axis portable measuring arm and Absolute Scanner AS1 laser scanner to measure motorcycle dimensions and parts that are tightly controlled and determine compliance with FIM regulations. The homologation work of FIM guarantees a level playing field for competitors in WorldSBK and other international motorcycle championships under the FIM’s authority, where the same approach is being considered. Dominique Hebrard, FIM CTI technical
director, said: “Using the Hexagon measurement arm with its AS1 laser scanner delivers the accuracy, speed, ease of use, and portability we need to check all dimensions, including the conformity of a motorcycle’s complete aerodynamic package, and individual parts, to very specific tolerances – whether we’re at our technical HQ, visiting a manufacturer, or trackside during an FIM event. They really have improved our life by making our scrutineering processes simpler, faster and easier.”
https://hexagon.com/
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