May 14, 2018 | Product Brief | ION Energy officially exits stealth mode with the launch of UDYR, with an advanced portable Li-ion battery. Founded by a team of PhDs with more than four decades of experience in advanced electronics and battery systems, ION is building deep technology to optimize battery performance and life-extension for the new era of electric vehicles, energy storage, and connected devices.
UDYR – an intelligent, modular, and portable 48V Li-ion battery underlined by ION’s proprietary battery management system, software platform, and backend analytics. The battery is natively compatible with most electric two-wheelers and three-wheelers allowing automotive OEMs globally to use UDYR as a drop-in solution and accelerate their speed to market. In addition to developing energy storage systems, ION will also license their proprietary and chemistry agnostic battery management systems and software applications to other battery-manufacturers and OEMs.
While the falling cost of lithium-ion batteries is accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles and energy storage faster than previously thought possible, the rapid deployment of these batteries is creating new challenges. Total cost of ownership for many electric vehicles is quickly reaching cost parity with traditional combustion engine models, but only if the asset is properly managed. Excessive or improper charging can lead to fast degradation of the lithium-ion cells, resulting in reduced vehicle range, fewer charge cycles, and even safety liabilities. ION Energy’s proprietary battery management system (BMS) showcased by UDYR enables enhanced performance and can increase battery-life by up to 200 percent. UDYR comes equipped with Bluetooth and CAN bus communication allowing for real-time, over the air (OTA) data relay to both the rider or asset-owner. This data can then be seamlessly integrated into ION’s suite of software applications for advanced battery analytics, warranty tracking, and vehicle location. In combination, UDYR’s features give a preview into the future of smart charging, Vehicle-to-Grid technologies, and EV fleet management.
Earlier in 2018, ION Energy acquired Freemens SAS, a provider in battery management systems and integrated software capabilities. The France-based company has completed various projects since its founding in 2011, including customized versions of their signature battery management system for clients including AirBus Safran and CarWatt. With a solid presence in Europe, ION Energy will now expand manufacturing operations for their proprietary battery management systems to India to service the Asian market.
