Disruptive technologies offer great potential for changes and innovations. In the field of E / E architectures, GPU computer architectures could enable a variety of new application fields, e. g. with respect to usage of neural networks and algorithmic structures. One of fka’s trajectory planners, a GPU-based solution, has been migrated from PC-based implementation to the NVIDIA DrivePX2 as part of further development and system evaluation of GPU computer architectures. Trajectory planner and first performance results were demonstrated together with NVIDIA at the GPU Technology Conference in Munich.

Dipl.-Ing. Jörg Küfen
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The growing variety of lightweight design applications and constantly reduced innovation cycles require an early evaluation of the potential of new concepts. 2017 fka enhanced the holistic potential appraisal, which not only includes the impact on a vehicle’s energy consumption on full vehicle, system and component level, but especially the analysis of innovations across their entire life cycle. Therefore, we combine our holistic assessment of potentials with our wide range of experience concerning CO₂ and emissions to optimize your company’s lightweight design strategy.

Dipl.-Kfm. Ingo Olschewski
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In 2017 fka continued its steady growth rate. Thanks to a plus of more than 20 % of employees and various R&D-partnerships, fka could exceed its previous year’s revenue already in October by more than 16 %. The substantial investments, for example in testing infrastructure like the new Flat-Trac, underline fka’s growth ambitions. Considering the continuously high demand for R&D solutions, fka looks forward to a busy year 2018.

Besides the positive economic development, fka also achieved sporting successes. The team of 20 runners reached the 2nd place in the Aachener company run with more than 2000 other participants. And at the company’s annual family party the department teams fiercely competed for the soccer trophy, which in the end was won by the chassis team.

Please find further information on our current activities on our new website or on Xing and LinkedIn.

Dr.-Ing. Markus Bröckerhoff
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Since its foundation in 2015 and the grand opening of the first publicly accessible driving simulator in Silicon Valley, fka SV works closely together with companies dealing with cutting-edge technology setting trends in future mobility. Hosting monthly meet-ups not only enabled the vital interaction with established Silicon Valley players and startups, but also significantly expanded the field of activity of fka SV as a pioneer and expert in the field of (driving) simulation. In addition, the portfolio was expanded also to include project management support services for startups. The research aspect was also successfully advanced so that in 2017 two master‘s theses could be successfully completed.

Dipl.-Ing. Philipp Seewald
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In 2017 the testing capacities for the analysis of bodies-in-white and body components were extended again. The measurement technique at the big drop tower (10 m height) was extended by a 2D point tracking system and the crash sled by 6-axial load cells, for instance. The outdoor crash test facility allows the execution of dynamic analysis of electric vehicles and battery packs. With these extensions it is possible to validate the simulation methods for materials and joining techniques as well as the crash simulations of body components more precisely. Thus, the holistic development starting from the generation of material cards up to the full vehicle crash testing can be offered now.

Dr. Nico Depner
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The increasing electrification of drive trains causes an intensified perception of chassis noise phenomena. Therefore, the acoustics department uses innovative simulation methods in order to predict the NVH properties of chassis components and entire axles in an early stage of the development process. These methods include FE and MKS simulations of noise and vibration transmission as well as analytical modeling of potential noise sources. Modular or hybrid approaches using a combination of different simulation methods or experimental analyses are established methods in the solution process.

Dipl.-Ing. Jan Hendrik Elm
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As a key of future and especially automated vehicle systems, fka in cooperation with ika has declared the topic of safe, fail-operational energy supply systems to be a highly relevant target for the electrical and electronic development. The safety of the operation, in particular for safety-critical consumers, depends on a variety of factors in different operation scenarios. Often investigated in the past but without an established solution is the detection and protection against electric arcs. With regard to the further development and validation of 48 V and HV networks and their functions, the establishment of a system for the systematic generation of electric arcs in the energy network has created an important element for the further development activities.

Dipl.-Ing. Jörg Küfen
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