GLM Releases Prototype Electric Mobility Scooters for Seniors Designed for Desirability

GLM — Fri, 30 Oct 2020 15:00:00 +0900

KYOTO, Japan, Oct. 30, 2020 /Kyodo JBN/ --
GLM Co., Ltd.
GLM Co., Ltd., a Kyoto-based company that develops and sells electric vehicles (EVs), has released an EV mobility concept for senior drivers.

As populations grow older, the occurrence of terrible car accidents caused by elderly drivers has become a social problem in many countries. A variety of measures are being taken around the world to address the issue of senior drivers, such as encouraging voluntary return of driver’s licenses and the introduction of laws and regulations restricting driving hours and locations. As this trend takes hold and more seniors lose their means of private transportation, it is important to support them so that they can continue to enjoy an active, independent, and outgoing lifestyle.

To address this social challenge, GLM set out to develop a compact electric mobility scooter (EMS) for seniors, based on the concept of “inspiration to switch from a car to an EMS.” It has now released a concept model of the scooter.

In its concept development, GLM focused strongly on design because it is one of the major obstacles people face in switching from a passenger car to an EMS for seniors. With a steadily growing number of active, youthful seniors in the community, there is growing demand for more fashionable and attractive EMSs. Thus, one of the company’s key design goals was to stimulate the desire to ride a mobility scooter.

GLM is continuing to develop this concept vehicle with a view to commercialization by the end of 2022, after further improvements to the aesthetic design and mechanical system.

(Image1: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M106182/202010286369/_prw_PI1fl_vTJV6W6W.jpg)

-A design that inspires seniors to ride an EMS

“I wanted to enjoy the convenience of an EMS for my transport, but it was quite hard to acquire one.” GLM believes that one of the reasons why so many people feel like this relates to the poor design of most EMSs for seniors. This is why the company paid a lot of attention to design. By and large, EMSs for seniors tend to look like they were designed for old people, making them unattractive to the many seniors who still feel youthful.

GLM’s design concept is very simple. Rather than feeling that they have no choice but to buy a typical-looking EMS for seniors just for the functionality, the company wants to offer a new kind of EMS that makes people feel, “Hey, I would love to ride that!”

Conventional mobility scooters for seniors look like they were designed just by attaching handles, tires and seats onto a frame, along with cowls and various other parts. In contrast, in the design of cars, beauty is sculpted from a solid mass. As a car maker, GLM strives to create beautiful EMSs by pouring all of its car design expertise into a new mobility platform.

GLM’s approach to this design proposal was to start development from a single 3D shape. One of the gentlest of shapes, the “sphere,” expresses kindness to elderly riders of the vehicle, as well as kindness to pedestrians sharing the sidewalk. It is a shape that is comforting and approachable.

It is not difficult to imagine that as society continues aging in the coming years, it will see more and more stylish and sophisticated, youthful, and active seniors who do not fit the stereotypical image of older generations up to now. The new mobility design that GLM is creating aims to change preconceived notions and ideas about EMSs and to inspire this new breed of seniors to accept and use its products. With this focus, the company will continue its development work to make EMSs that people genuinely want to ride.

(Image2: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M106182/202010286369/_prw_PI2fl_4WzY2TsS.jpg)

(Image3: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M106182/202010286369/_prw_PI3fl_qQ5F4v9H.jpg)

-GLM company outline
Name: GLM Co., Ltd.
Established: April 1, 2010
Rep.: Julian Alexander Carr, CEO
Business: Automobile manufacture
Head office: 74-3 Takeda Mukaishiro-cho, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto Prefecture

GLM Announces 1st Prototype of Unique "Next-generation SiC Inverter-compatible 800V System”

GLM — Tue, 28 Jul 2020 14:00:00 +0900

KYOTO, Japan, July 28, 2020 /Kyodo JBN/ --
GLM Co., Ltd.
GLM Co., Ltd., a Kyoto, Japan-based developer and marketer of electric vehicles (EVs), has announced the next phase in its development of a "next-generation SiC inverter-compatible 800V system” equipped with a ROHM SiC power module, which GLM announced with ROHM at the start of its development in February 2020, aiming for mass production in the next 24 months.

Movie: https://vimeo.com/440183123

Photos: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/release/202007212273?p=images

This product incorporates SiC for a power element. SiC offers significant advantages over IGBT switching technologies and is the future of EV powertrains.

This is also the first step in its new 800V architecture, which provides significant benefits to the EV system.

The package is a 3-in-1 package that integrates two inverters and a PDU (power distribution unit). It makes the new inverter to achieve further miniaturization, lighter weight, and higher output compared to conventional products.

Moreover, by supporting the 800V system, it contributes to reducing the vehicle weight and recharge time when charging a large-capacity battery as an EV vehicle.

Development of the inverter will lead to significant progress in the new EV system that is unique to GLM. Moving forward, GLM continues working to achieve further growth of platform business through the deployment of new vehicle models and the supply of the EV system. This project will aim to start mass production in the spring of 2022, collaborating with motor and battery manufacturers in providing a one-stop shop for one of the most advanced EV powertrains in the world.

The EV market is projected to reach 26,951,318 units by 2030 from an estimated 3,269,671 units in 2019 at a CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 21.1% during the forecast period (*1).

GLM will continue to develop its business and is in a prime position to take advantage of this growth with its parent company, Apollo Future Mobility Group (*2).

Notes:
(*1) https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/electric-vehicle-market-209371461.html

(*2) The group’s English name was changed and registered from WE Solutions Limited to “Apollo Future Mobility Group” on March 13, 2020

法人別リリース

GLM Releases Prototype Electric Mobility Scooters for Seniors Designed for Desirability

GLM Announces 1st Prototype of Unique "Next-generation SiC Inverter-compatible 800V System”