June 19, 2012: Product lifecycle management solutions provider Dassault Systemes’ 3DExperience platform based on Version 6 technology has been leveraged by Tata Technologies for its eMO (electric mobility) project. The study undertaken on a small urban electric car that has a seating capacity for four adults that will facilitate the development of an electric vehicle at an affordable cost for the global market. With the study completed, Tata Technologies is believed to be talking to OEMs, one of which is Tata Motors, for its implementation.
According to Kevin Fisher, president of Tata Technologies, the eMO project was taken up to counter design and cost constraints in the development of an automobile and create a user experience offering a final vehicle price tag of under $ 20,000. The electric mobility project has roped in the efforts of over 300 engineers from Tata Technologies globally including the US, Europe and India. The 3DExperience platform has allowed multiple team members to view data in real time and enabled more time for testing of different design features to reduce energy consumption spanning vehicle weight, rolling resistance and aerodynamics.
For the $2.5 billion Dassault Systemes, India is one of the fastest growing markets in Asia after Japan and China, with about 25 to 27 percent of its revenue generated by multiple programmes in Asia. Hence, it has ambitious plans in the country for both component suppliers and OEMs. Currently automobile revenue contributes about 25 percent of the revenue generated globally by the PLM company.
Dassault is working with its customers for enabling zero defect in development through the 3DExperience platform. This creates a virtual reality environment and Andy Kalambi, CEO of Dassault Systemes Enovia Corp (pictured), says that the company is also working with OEMs for creating virtual dealerships. Plans are underway to set up 150 such 3D dealerships by various OEMS over the next 2 to 3 years which will enhance the customer experience allowing them to check out vehicles virtually in 3D wearing special goggles and aided by a virtual driving and guided experience.
In terms of costs, virtual dealerships will be economical costing a few lakhs compared to crores of rupees spent on creating real-life dealerships for housing actual cars. Kalambi says virtual dealerships are especially popular in China and Australia due to escalating realty prices and rising competition.
Dassault software is also being sought after by component suppliers and system integrators like Endurance Technologies and JBM Auto for product design, improved manufacturing processes and planning, quality management, enhanced tack time and enabling participation with OEMs at the concept stage itself. Kalambi elaborates that supply chain quality continues to be an issue especially in case of heavy commercial vehicles and this is where Dassault steps in to remove this anomaly with its software.
The company claims it has multiple programmes underway in the country each running into $ 400 to 500 million. About 30 percent of its R&D is located in India and it has about 200 customers on board in the country.
Interestingly, its software has been used in developing the Tata Nano as well as the Mahindra XUV500. Jaguar Land Rover and BMW also have partnerships with Dassault for the 3D Experience platform in a bid to be smart, safe and connected.