Hyliion of Pittsburgh, Pa., developer of a hybrid electric technology for semi-trailers, has been awarded a grand prize of $20,000 in the 2016 Create the Future Design Contest. Hyliion’s system hybridizes the trailer portion of the tractor-trailer combination and uses regenerative braking to capture power, saving over 30 percent on fuel and decreasing emissions by 10 percent.
Hyliion’s technology was among more than 1,100 new product ideas submitted in the 14th annual design contest, which was established in 2002 to recognize and reward engineering innovations that benefit humanity, the environment and the economy. This year’s design contest was co-sponsored by COMSOL and Mouser Electronics. Analog Devices and Intel were supporting sponsors.
“The Hyliion team is honoured to be the Grand Prize winner of the prestigious Create the Future Contest,” said Thomas Healy, CEO and founder of Hyliion. “It is a tremendous validation of the impact the Hyliion Intelligent Electric Drive Axle System will have on the trucking industry … and the environment.”
Hyliion leases its solution to fleets for $500 per month per truck and claims the average truck will save $1,300 per month with the system for a net savings of $800 per month.
“Design innovation is bringing a brighter future to businesses, people and the planet,” said Bernt Nilsson, senior vice president of marketing with COMSOL. “This year’s Create the Future Design Contest shines the light on over a thousand innovators from around the globe and their brilliant designs. COMSOL is grateful to be a sponsor of the contest, and we are delighted by the work of all participants contributing to a better tomorrow.”
“As a global distributor of new components and technologies, we are very excited to see the amazing ingenuity behind this year’s group of Create the Future entries,” said Kevin Hess, senior vice president of marketing at Mouser Electronics. “We’d like to congratulate the winners and commend the entrants for their creative designs. Engineers and innovators really deserve the credit for the incredible developments we are seeing today in electronic design.”
Finalists were selected by senior editors at Tech Briefs Media Group and judged by an independent panel of design engineers.
