Automotive Engineering - March 2023 - 8

TECHNOLOGY REPORT
MATERIALS
Sustainability shines in Asahi's shuttle concept
Asahi Kasei's concept electric shuttle is a rolling showcase of
the supplier's materials and electronics innovations, with a
strong focus on sustainability. Dubbed the AKXY2, it is " a
complete vehicle design - exterior and interior, " Michael
Franchy, director of North American Mobility at Asahi Kasei
America, told SAE Media in Detroit.
The AKXY2 showcases 18 technologies, including two collaborations
with startup companies identified by Asahi Kasei's
corporate venture-capital arm. Fifteen of the Asahi Kasei
technologies either are in production or production-ready.
" Everything visible, touchable and interactable is made from
Asahi Kasei original or collaborative technology, " Franchy
said. The concept emphasizes three overlapping themes: sustainability,
satisfaction and society.
The vehicle's seats address aspects of both sustainability
and satisfaction. The 'summer' seat uses the company's trademarked
Cubit, a 3D honeycomb material that allows for ventilation.
This material reduces the amount of polyurethane
foam used in a seat without sacrificing comfort. Cubit has
front and back surfaces made of polyester fiber (recycled
polyester thread, which can be recycled again) and a connecting
filament made of PTT (polytrimethylene terephthalate)
using 37% plant-derived propanediol.
AKXY2's 'winter' seat uses a flexible electronic circuit from
startup Loomia. " It's a soft, electronic circuit that's located
underneath the seat fabric to provide nearly instantaneous
heat to the seat, " Franchy said. The suede-resembling seat
fabric (Dinamica Pure) is from Sage Automotive Interiors, a
Asahi Kasei company. This microfiber is produced using partially
recycled polyester through a water-based process.
Occupants have a sense of inclusion with the outdoors without
direct exposure to rain, snow and other weather conditions.
Concept AKXY2 is shown with open door (revealing entry/exit step) and
upward extended canopy.
" The canopy is a transparent bubble above the body-in-white.
And since it is made from polycarbonate that was coated with
our water-based hard-coating technology, we were able to design
it with a very high curvature that would be impossible with
glass, " Franchy said. Asahi Kasei's coating agent, which is in the
final development stage, prevents the polycarbonate from acquiring
scratches and UV light discoloration, enabling the canopy
to retain clear transparency over time.
The water-based coating also eliminates emission of toxic
VOCs (volatile organic compounds). And using polycarbonate
in lieu of glass can reduce vehicle body weight, according to
the company.
From a functional perspective, the canopy rises upward as
the cabin's access panel drops like a drawbridge for easy entry
and exit. " The access panel becomes the vehicle's interior
wall, and this wall has the same fabric underneath as the removable
floor mat, " Franchy explained.
AKXY2's tires use S-SBR (solution-polymerized styrenebutadiene).
The butadiene is derived from plastic waste and
biomass. The S-SBR functions at the tire/road contact, providing
low rolling resistance - yet good grip on slippery roads.
Asahi Kasei began producing sustainable S-SBR at its
Singapore plant in late 2021.
" OEMs and consumers around the world are demanding
The winter seat and summer seat are focal points of this rear view of the
concept AKXY2 interior.
8 March 2023
environmentally friendly mobility and materials, " Franchy
said. AKXY2 also depicts how people can travel from place to
place in an interior much different from today's light-duty
passenger vehicles. " Cars are becoming a third living space
and as autonomous vehicles evolve and become mainstream,
they will become extensions of our home, " Franchy said.
Kami Buchholz
AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERING
BOTH IMAGES: ASAHI KASEI
Automotive Engineering - March 2023

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