Napleton News Wrap Up

Here’s the Napleton News update of the latest in automotive news worldwide. There’s a lot to carve up, so let’s get to it.

Napleton News: Ramen Delivered via Nissan e-4ORCE

We at Napleton News first discovered Ramen as college kids cramming late at night for an upcoming exam. We may not have done well on the test the following day, but we weren’t hungry, either. In Japan, ramen is an art form. Nissan demonstrated ramen delivery perfection using the brand’s e-4ORCE vehicle control technology. The Nissan e-4ORCE Ramen Counter project is the company’s way of demonstrating that control. It shows how the brand’s latest vehicle control technology provides a comfortable ride in an e-4ORCE-equipped vehicle.

 

In the video above, a motorized server with Nissan e-4ORCE technology swiftly delivers a bowl of ramen. The new tech makes it look as delicious as it did when the ramen chef placed it on the server. The e-4ORCE tech suppresses sloshing and other movement the way it does on the new Nissan Ariya crossover EV.

The e-4ORCE is the most advanced all-wheel control system to manage power and braking performance for smoothness and stability. This new system, brings precision control technology, while the twin electric motors provide precision ride comfort for all occupants. According to Nissan, the system traces the intended driving line over almost any road surface. These include roads that may be wet or snowy.

Along the way, the new tech minimizes pitch and dive, which sometimes causes motion sickness, by regenerative braking when decelerating.

The e-4ORCE ramen server tray uses two electric motors working independently with unique tuning. They are designed to deliver swift acceleration and smooth travel on the ramen shop’s countertop.

How e-4ORCE came to be

Nissan’s e-4ORCE results from years of development in the off-roading and sports car segments. The e-4ORCE is the love-child of Nissan’s GT-R ATTESA torque-splitting system and the Nissan Patrol’s intelligent 4×4 system.

Napleton News: Sony and Honda Mobility Alliance

Napleton News previously reported that Sony was eager to enter the mobility segment. Two Japanese giants have decided to join forces. Electronics giant Sony and Automotive megabrand Honda Motor Co. have signed a memorandum of understanding to form a new strategic alliance. The companies will develop electric vehicles and other mobility services. The agreement outlines their intention to embark on a joint venture (with a new name) that will develop and sell battery-electric vehicles (EVs). The intent is to “commercialize them in conjunction with providing mobility services.”

The plans include forming a joint venture company within 2022, subject to agreements and regulatory approvals.

Honda will develop vehicles using their body manufacturing technology and maintenance abilities at dealerships across the globe. Sony will apply its expertise in imaging, sensing, telecommunications, network and in-car entertainment technologies. The goal is to create and evolve a new generation of mobility and services that will move forward.

Sales of the first vehicles should begin in 2025. The new joint venture company will not own the manufacturing facilities. Sony will design the vehicle platform and make it available to the new company and Honda will build the EVs at their manufacturing plant.

Strengths of two companies

Sony CEO Kenichiro Yoshida says the venture “will fill the world with emotion through the power of creativity and technology.” Honda Motor CEO Toshihiro Mibe added, “Although Sony and Honda are companies that share many cultural similarities, our areas of technological expertise are very different. I believe this alliance brings together the strengths of our two companies offers great possibilities for the future of mobility.”