SwRI Develops Automated Manual Transmissions, Offers Technology for Licensing

SAN ANTONIO--Feb. 1, 20043, 2004--Southwest Research Institute(R) (SwRI(R)), in collaboration with an Asian automobile manufacturer, has developed an automated manual transmission that merges the convenience of an automatic transmission with the fuel and weight savings of a standard shift. SwRI is offering the innovative technology for licensing worldwide.

For this project, the Institute developed software that controls a variety of powertrains, including electric, hydraulic and pneumatic systems. SwRI engineers designed and developed a full-authority vehicle controller that includes an automated manual transmission and clutch system with software that automatically shifts gears when engine and road conditions warrant. The shifting is transparent to the driver, much as an automatic transmission.

The heart of the system is the Institute-developed software AutoShifter(tm), which monitors the engine and road conditions and determines when, and to which gear, to shift. Because the system is based on a manual transmission that has higher efficiencies, vehicles achieve faster acceleration, improved fuel economy and reduced emissions in comparison to a conventional automatic transmission. The design eliminates the torque converter, transmission fluid pump and multiple clutches required by an automatic transmission, reducing transmission weight by approximately one-third.

"Europe, China and many other countries primarily use manual transmissions, with 90 percent of European drivers having manual shift transmissions. As China and other Asian automotive markets expand, we believe they will prefer the convenience of automated shifting. The automated manual transmission is less expensive to build and offers several advantages over the automatic transmission that dominates the American market," said Michael A. Kluger, assistant director of the Vehicle Research Department in SwRI's Engine, Emissions and Vehicle Research Division.

"This is a fundamental technology that will be useful in a number of developing markets, particularly Asia, for both conventional and hybrid electric vehicles," Kluger said.

SwRI is licensing the technology to vehicle and transmission manufacturers worldwide. For more information about the automated manual transmission, contact Kluger at 210-522-3095, fax 210-522-5720 or e-mail mkluger@swri.org.

As an independent, multidisciplinary research, development and testing organization, SwRI provides a nonbiased, third-party perspective. The SwRI Engine, Emissions and Vehicle Research Division has achieved certification to ISO 9001, an internationally recognized quality standard, and ISO 14001, an environmental management system.

SwRI is an independent, nonprofit, applied research and development organization based in San Antonio, Texas, with more than 2,800 employees and an annual research volume of approximately $355 million.