IBM software helped in the designing of new General Motors vehicle

IBM software helped in the designing of new General Motors vehicle

2010-11-02 05:29:09 GMT+7 (ICT)

ARMONK, NEW YORK (BNO NEWS) -- IBM on Monday announced that its software and simulation tools have helped in the design and development of control systems of the 2011 Chevrolet Volt from General Motors (GM).

GM's engineers designed and engineered the Chevrolet Volt in just 29 months. IBM helped engineers in the advanced control systems of the vehicle through its sophisticated design and simulation software as part of its suite of product development software tools.

"IBM is focused on providing our clients with higher value capabilities that enables them to transform the way they develop and design not just the products they deliver, but innovate in the markets in which they compete. The Volt represents the convergence of the manufacturing and digital environments that are at the core of building smarter products," said Robert LeBlanc, Senior Vice President, Middleware Software, IBM.

GM used IBM products to develop critical electronic controls for Volt's innovative battery system, electric drive unit, and cabin electronics. Its unique propulsion system required the design of an unprecedented system of systems, centered on software that integrates the Volt's lithium-ion battery with its highly sophisticated electric drive system.

IBM Rational software tools were used to help GM engineers model the interactions of the Volt's embedded systems, helping to increase the quality and efficiency in developing this unprecedented systems approach.

Such software is also used by GM engineers around the world to help manage change throughout the product development process, enabling improved collaboration.

"Software and controls are a key differentiator, and have significant value in driving vehicle development and providing unique solutions to our customers, especially in vehicles as advanced as the Chevrolet Volt," said Micky Bly, GM Executive Director of Global Electrical Systems, Hybrids, Electric Vehicles and Batteries.

IBM supercomputers and simulation software were used to provide the Volt battery safety and durability over nearly three years of validation testing of their nine modules and 288 cells. The supercomputers and simulation tools provided the high performance computing needed by test teams to meet thousands the Volt battery's specifications in several areas, including: short circuit, corrosion, dust, impact, water submersion, crush and penetration and extreme temperature swings.

"We must have the ability to deliver innovative electronics and software faster than our competitors and that requires us to develop our vehicles with a set of world-class software processes and tools," Bly added.

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