UK-based fuel saving analyst firm, Dynamon, has been awarded funding to develop new software to identify optimum aerodynamic configurations, with support from trailer builder Don-Bur.
The funding comes through the UK Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) and Innovate UK in a partnership with Totalsim, an aerodynamics and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) consultancy.
UK trailer builder, Don-Bur, as well as transport companies Wincanton and Truswell Haulage, will also support development of the so-called Aerodynamic Configurator for Transport (ACT) service.
The web-based software service aims to identify the best aerodynamic products and enable creation of improved designs to minimise fuel cost and emissions. Dynamon’s analytics, which will combine ACT data and vehicle telematics data, will be used to identify how much fuel an aerodynamics product will save a fleet.
Dr Angus Webb, Dynamon’s founder and CEO, explains: “It is currently very difficult for fleets to invest in aerodynamics. They do not know how much fuel they are going to save and therefore do not know the return on investment of an aerodynamics product. As a result, only fleets that can afford expensive analysis services can optimise their vehicles. This is apparent when observing the vehicles on our roads today.”
“By partnering with Totalsim we are able to create a service that will make it significantly easier and cheaper for fleets to invest in aerodynamics. We believe this will increase investment in aerodynamics by fleets, stimulate improved aerodynamic designs, and ultimately help reduce fuel costs and emissions.”
UK Transport Minister, John Hayes, says: “It is fantastic that Dynamon is willing to explore low and zero emission technologies, which will help improve air quality and reduce pollution in towns and cities. This is yet another important significant step towards this government’s commitment to reduce carbon emissions from transport to help tackle climate change.”
Dynamon will receive a grant of £60,030 towards a total spend of £85,757.