Asahi Kasei and GLM Co., Ltd., an electric vehicle manufacturer, have completed a jointly developed concept car called AKXY showcasing a wide array of automotive-related materials and technologies from various Asahi Kasei businesses, focused on contribution to safety, comfort, and the environment.
About AKXY
Asahi Kasei and GLM began discussions and planning for development of the concept car in 2015. The car utilizes the electric vehicle platform of GLM to achieve a drivable design. The concept car further heightens appeal to customers by having a design based on the SUV, which is popular around the world.
The name AKXY comes from Asahi Kasei X (multiplied by) You (the customer). By enabling many Japanese and overseas automobile manufacturers and parts manufacturers come directly into contact with Asahi Kasei’s automotive-related materials, devices, and systems that are manifested in the concept car, we hope to further build and strengthen our relationship with customers in order to create new value for the future together.
AKXY is equipped with a wide variety of Asahi Kasei materials, components, and systems, numbering 27 products in all, most of them available for adoption in mass-produced vehicles, including engineering plastics to replace metal and enable vehicle weight reduction, artificial suede for seats with superior comfort, and an in-car communication system utilizing various speechprocessing technology. The car is additionally equipped with cutting-edge technology that has potential for commercialization in line with automotive industry trends for safe driving and accident prevention, including a contactless vital sign sensing system that is able to detect the pulse of drivers without their being aware of it, and CO2 sensors to monitor the in-car environment.
Moving forward
AKXY was displayed at Automotive Engineering Exposition 2017 Yokohama, May 24–26, 2017, together with materials and devices not installed in the concept car, and models explaining internal structural components and parts. The concept car was also displayed at Automotive Engineering Exposition 2017 Nagoya, June 28–30, 2017. The Asahi Kasei Group will continue to deepen connections with automotive-related customers, and make comprehensive proposals of various key items in accordance with needs to heighten vehicle safety and comfort and contribute to the environment.
“We are very excited to unveil this concept car that embodies Asahi Kasei’s comprehensive capability to serve the automotive industry with innovative, high-value products,” noted Hiroshi Yoshida, Senior Executive Officer of Asahi Kasei and President of Asahi Kasei’s Performance Polymers SBU, “We believe it will spark many conversations with key customers on how we can help them enhance the safety, comfort, and environmental performance of their future vehicles.”
Source: Asahi Kasei
