Aussie start-up ACE-EV plans for autonomous future

The Adelaide electric vehicle start-up ACE-EV has linked with Australian artificial intelligence (AI) solutions provider SenSen Networks to develop  autonomous driving capabilities for its vehicles.

ACE-EV – or Australian Clean Energy Electric Vehicle – intends to manufacture three models in Adelaide; the ACE Cargo small van, followed by the Yewt small ute (obviously!) and the Urban three-door hatchback.

It has signed a memorandum of understanding with Melbourne-headquartered SenSen, which will develop technology so ACE’s models can avoid collisions and be capable of driving without human input.

ACE’s MD Greg McGarvie says autonomous EVs are the future with “so many opportunities” to stem from their development.

“Imagine driving a super-efficient electric vehicle, built locally in South Australia, with onboard collision avoidance systems, and the additional capability of a follow me, parcel delivery system, which like a good cattle dog, stays at your heels and pauses with you as you deliver packages,” he said in a press release.

“Visualise your super-efficient electric vehicle recognising you, then greeting you on your approach, unlocking the doors, then asking you where you would like to go.

“This is the future.”

Of course, all this is dependent on ACE-EV getting its manufacturing plans up and rolling.

Its vehicles are designed in Germany and Taiwan and built in China, or assembled in Adelaide in small numbers from a flat pack. Currently there are left-hand drive examples in Australia under test.

Each AC model is based around a modular carbon-fibre chassis and takes a measly 18 man-hours to assemble.

ACE hopes to be up and running with the van manufactured locally in 2021. Pricing is to be set at about $40,000. The Yewt and Urban are expected to be a little cheaper.

ACE has identified a site in Adelaide’s north at Edinburgh Park where it proposes to build a $295 million assembly plant and $20 million R&D centre.

It eventually wants to build more than 20,000 EVs per year and has plans to export most of them to other right-hand drive markets including New Zealand, Japan and even the UK.

The ACE Cargo is expected to come with a 30kWh lithium-ion battery and 18kWh electric motor sourced from China.

The real world range is forecast to be around 180km with the full 500kg payload onboard.

ACE’s agreement with SenSen is the latest technology addition to its vehicles, which are also planned to have vehicle to grid capability

“This is a great opportunity for two clever, innovating Australian companies to demonstrate leadership in the development of a cleaner, more secure, cost-efficient and smart transport system,” enthused McGarvie.

“Not only does the ACE vehicle bring back vehicle manufacturing and energy solutions to Australia, but as a world leader in AI and sensor technology, SenSen will provide its expertise to making our vehicles autonomous – a first for Australia!”

This is the first venture into the automotive field for SenSen, which has developed a platform called SenDISA (SenSen Distributed and Intelligent Sensor Analytics) to aid speed, city- by law and parking enforcement.

It achieves this using a fusion of data from cameras and sensors to detect people, vehicles and other objects and track and classify them.