Research has no limits

The huge technological development of the automotive sector that we have witnessed in the last decades has few comparisons in other industrial compartments.

 

The increased competitiveness at the global level, combined with the request for more and more advanced products in terms of safety, performance and respect for the environment has prompted the companies operating in this sector to dedicate a growing share of their turnover to the development of new solutions.

Magneti Marelli has created, within its own organization, Research & Development departments capable of optimising the scientific requirements of the Business Units’ sectors of activity.

 

The resulting disciplinary coverage is similar to the departmental subdivision of modern Engineering faculties.

 

Mechanics, Hydraulics, Fluid Dynamics, Thermodynamics, Vehicle dynamics, Acoustics, Optics, Electronics, Automation, Information Technology, Chemistry, Science of Materials and Ergonomics are the research areas present in and amply covered by Magneti Marelli’s internal resources.

Moreover, approximately 20% of the activities is covered by cooperation agreements with Universities and Excellence Centres.

 

Through these cooperation agreements, Magneti Marelli can put the Basic Research of the academic activity to work for Corporate Innovation.

In addition, the resources to be integrated within the company can be identified and trained.

So that the original idea of a product can become a production reality, a few years’ time is required.

 

The Innovation and Basic Research process begins approximately 4-6 years prior to the start of production.

Generally speaking, certain activities are carried out within the company, while others are developed with outside research institutions, specifically with the universities.

 

The defined components are developed 2-3 years after the industrialization phase.

 

Approximately 1 year prior to the product, it is time for the Application phase, dedicated to the development of the product, be it a physical component or a logical one (for example a software).

 

This features a delicate junction represented by the transition phase between Research/Innovation and Development.