Industry

Japanese chemical conglomerate Asahi Kasei rolls out a futuristic concept car that incorporates technologies from many of its subsidiaries, from pulse monitoring and composite fenders to electro-magnetic noise suppression sheets and a carbon-dioxide sensor that could prevent a vehicle from starting if the driver has been drinking.At this week’s SAE World Congress Experience in Detroit, the AKXY concept (named for Asahi Kasei multiplied [X] by You) is a fully electric vehicle with a 225-kW motor and room for three occupants. Many of the materials in the concept are already used in production vehicles, including microsuede, ABS-based scratch-resistant speaker grates, hydrogenated styrenic thermoplastic A-pillar trim, hands-free communication and polyamide motor mounts.

byTom Murphy, Managing Editor