Our Future Moves
Working Together // Innovating Together
What will work look like in the future? New technology will provide new tools, job roles may change and even where we carry out work will change.
In recent years there has been a growth in home deliveries and courier companies have had to adjust to a growth in business. To meet these new demands, many companies are switching their fleets to electric or hybrid vehicles. This, however, isn’t a new idea, home delivery has been an important part of life for centuries and even electric transport isn’t that new. For example, think of the humble electric milk float. Some companies are also looking at mixed transport solutions, for example, an electric van with a fold up bicycle in the back for that last bit of the journey or for delivery services in city centres where vehicles aren’t allowed in during the day.
Food delivery companies are also teaming up with their riders to switch to electric scooters and negotiating with local manufacturers for discounted rates meaning less fossil fuelled mopeds and more electric scooters on the roads.
PLINX System on Helmet
PLINX is a construction safety system that manages the proximity of workers to hazards by making noise and vibrating when triggered. The system protects construction workers and employers by increasing awareness of hazardous activities. For example, on HS2 work sites helping keep social distancing, alerting workers to machinery or physical hazards nearby.
LEVC VN5
The LEVC VN5 electric van is an electric hybrid van using technology developed by LEVC for electric taxis. It has an aluminum monocoque body, 2 stage braking technology that recovers energy and many features to help the driver carry a range of cargo loads whether in a city, travelling between cities or longer delivery routes.
Companies are also looking at what is called the circular economy. In a circular economy, the aim is to create an economy where resources are constantly reused, and no waste is created. For example, a vehicle part is designed to be made, then used in the vehicle and at the end of the vehicle’s running life it is recycled into new parts as easily as possible. It sounds simple, doesn’t it, but if there is more than one type of material in the vehicle part, then the recycling process can be a little bit trickier than you would think.
Companies are also looking at their suppliers who provide them with the raw materials and parts needed for their business. For example, using local suppliers means less distance for the parts to travel, it offers more flexibility and is a way to encourage their suppliers to rethink their carbon footprint as well.
Some companies are even thinking about sustainability in terms of supporting communities and community groups longer term. At BMW Group Plant Hams Hall, the company and its employees regularly support local charities’ fundraising and offer help. The company even encourages employees to think about their own recycling and gives everyone a free reusable travel cup to use in the canteen with a discount on drinks when they are used, it all helps to champion sustainably.
Tenneco Parts
How parts are made and what they are made from has changed with new materials being combined to give the finished product all the right characteristics. For example giving strength and the ability to work well with lubricants to stop the part wearing down quickly….
Tenneco Parts
These samples show how Tenneco combine material to make a top quality product by compressing metal powders into the final shape and then hardening with heat. As a company they are always looking to improve using new materials and combinations.
Futura Model Car
Futura used cutting edge concept car producing machinery to design and make this model in the same way they make large concept models and prototypes. Computer-aided design design, 3D Printing and high tech spray techniques were all used. Check out the film of it being made on the screen nearby.
Arrowsmith Engineering
These are just a small selection of the type of things precision engineering companies like Arrowsmith are making locally for the aerospace and automotive industries. Local companies are leading the way with new types of metals and materials and new ways of working.