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- Startup to look out for: DeepDrive GmbH
Startup to look out for: DeepDrive GmbH
Who are they?
DeepDrive, founded in 2021 by a group of TU Munich alumni with backgrounds in leading automotive companies like Bosch, Audi, and Infineon, aims to revolutionize electric motors.
They have raised a total of €19.3 million in funding, including a €15 million Series A round led by BMW i Ventures, with participation from UVC Partners, Continental Corporate Venture Capital Unit, and Bayern Kapital, among others (PitchBook) (electrive.com).
What makes their tech stand out?
DeepDrive's technology stands out in the electric vehicle (EV) market as they are developing their own "version" of an in-wheel dual rotor radial flux machine. This technology integrates two electric motors into a single, compact unit, which enhances energy efficiency and torque density.
The in-wheel motor variant, which places a motor directly in each wheel hub, offers several benefits including improved space utilization, better handling, and a reduction in the overall vehicle weight. The integrated SiC inverter uses an innovative SiC MOSFET topology, optimized for reduced losses and patented for cost-effectiveness. Together this can potentially lead to a 20% increase in range or a 20% reduction in battery size.
Why this matters?
Current EVs waste over 40% of electric energy from plug to wheel, resulting in reduced range, larger batteries, and higher costs. This inefficiency is primarily due to the electric powertrain, which suffers significant energy losses at lower power levels, especially in cold conditions and short drives. This inefficiency can reduce an EV's range by over 100 km and add more than €3,000 to electricity costs over its lifetime. Improving cycle efficiency can save up to €200 per vehicle.
DeepDrive’s technology, electric vehicles can realize an impressive 20% increase in cycle efficiency, leading to a substantial reduction of over €4,000 in total-cost-of-ownership per vehicle. Their motors can be integrated into classical central drive systems or as compact in-wheel motors, offering versatile applications for various EV architectures.