Reinventing the Ride by Reinventing the Wheel – #CES2023

This is the unlikely story of a serial entrepreneur who shifts from electronic payments to vehicle electrification. If this sounds like a familiar story read on, as Will Wang Graylin and team are bringing an entirely new spin to how to electrify fleets for both passengers and packages.

In the above interview, Graylin, CEO of Indigo Technologies, explains how their hub motor is part of an integrated unit that also moves up and down. Combined with the ability to sense the road, Graylin explains that they are able to create an “ultra-smooth ride, but, at the same time, a safe ride.”

Their hub motor allows for a radical redesign of a vehicle, as it eliminates the need for axles, gearboxes, and, of course, the elements associated with an internal combustion engine. To jumpstart adoption, Indigo has designed a couple of different work vehicles that take advantage of the capabilities of their hub motor.

In the above interview, Graylin describes the passenger vehicle designed specifically for rideshare. The same chassis can be used with a different body to create a delivery vehicle. The simple design facilitated by the propulsion in the wheels allows for more cargo space (110 cubic feet) than larger SUVs.

With an entry price goal of $30,000, these vehicles promise to be competitive with alternatives. As it is a relatively light vehicle, Graylin indicates that the battery packs are smaller than what is required for larger vehicles. Simply, it is more efficient than traditional vehicles which are heavier by design.

According to Graylin, there is interest from suppliers to build the vehicles. On the demand side of things, Graylin indicates that they are meeting with fleet owners and transportation network companies (i.e., rideshare).

Interview Highlights #

• 00:14 – This is more than a hub motor as it provides sensing and suspension. This design allows for a smoother ride and roomier vehicle compared to traditional architecture.
• 01:30 – Graylin’s involvement with active suspension began when studying under Dr. Amar Bose at MIT. He took a detour from that path and started a few companies, including one that became Samsung Pay.
• 02:29 – Why not just sell the hub motor/active suspension as a component, instead of building a car around this building block?
• 03:36 – Graylin provides an overview of the rideshare vehicle.
• 05:14 – It promises to be a safe ride as it is a 4-wheel drive. Graylin points out that the corners can stiffen if it starts to swerve to prevent rollovers.
• 05:53 – Indigo demonstrates how it can have two different bodies by creating a sort of Mr. Hyde/Dr. Jekyll display. The cargo version of their vehicle is 300 millimeters longer, creating 165 cubic feet of usable cabin space using the same underlying drive position.
• 06:45 – How will it be manufactured?
• 08:17 – The target markets for these vehicles are fleets and transportation network companies.
• 09:09 – A $30,000 entry-level target price is competitive for a work vehicle.
• 09:46 – As the design is “control by wire” there is a path to adding autonomy for electric, four-wheel propulsion, workhorses.