AUSTRALIAN automotive technology company, Doftek, is on its way to commercialise its unique adjustable active suspension system before 2027 after moving into Bosch’s co-working space in Melbourne.
Doftek specialises in on-vehicle wheel alignment and monitoring technologies. It aims to enhance vehicle handling, fuel economy, safety and sustainability and is developing its designs with access to Bosch’s world-class facilities.
The co-location marks the inauguration of Bosch’s new ‘Multi-Functional Co Working Space’ designed to support early-stage companies developing products and systems that align with Bosch’s core interests.
The space offers scalable office, workshop, laboratory, manufacturing and storage areas.
Doftek said international interest in active wheel alignment (AWA) from OEMs had exploded in recent years, with multiple test vehicles now fitted with AWA.
That would position Doftek as a supplier for future vehicle releases.
The company said that the growth that supports the industrialisation of its products means it can be ready for new-vehicle releases in 2027.
Doftek’s flagship technology uses electromechanical actuation to adjust wheel alignment on the move. It has undergone multiple successful technology fitments to vehicles around the world.
This system allows the vehicle’s wheel alignment settings, such as camber (longitudinal angle), caster (longitudinal tilt) and toe (latitudinal angle), to be adjusted on-the-fly to maximise handling performance, improve fuel efficiency, reduce emissions and minimise tyre wear.
The initial targets for AWA are luxury and performance vehicles, followed by electric vehicles (for extended battery life) and driverless cars (for novel steering solutions).
The company, which was started in 2017 by husband and wife team Geoff and Priscilla Rogers, specialises in electromechanical actuation.
Geoff and Priscilla Rogers
It has subsequently overcome significant technical hurdles to create multiple high dynamic, lightweight and high-performing actuators which can continuously and individually adjust the settings of each wheel in real-time.
Doftek’s AWA claims to address many shortfalls of previous attempts that were heavy, expensive, and incompatible with existing production vehicle suspension geometries.
It can also be fitted to the front or rear of the vehicle and its lightweight and compact dimensions makes it equally suitable for fitment to MacPherson strut, double-wishbone and multi-link suspensions systems.
The company’s first version allows for on-the-fly adjustment of wheel alignment via a three-mode selector switch offering ‘normal’, ‘sport’ and ‘sport+’ modes with the corresponding 0-degree, -1.5-degree and -3-degree camber to suit different driving conditions.
It said that this system has been extensively developed and tested, and provides at least:
- 15 per cent increase in handling performance
- 10 per cent reduction in rolling resistance
- 10 per cent reduction in peak tyre temperatures.
With support from Australia’s Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre (AMGC), Doftek is now working on the second version of its system, which will offer next-generation dynamic (semi-active) and adaptive (real-time) capabilities.
This system will also achieve an improvement of up to 29 per cent in handling performance observed during initial testing with differential camber settings.
Doftek co-founder Geoff Rogers said that funding and assistance from AMGC had been critical in enabling Doftek to progress to the next step of commercialisation.
“Our real-world testing demonstrates that this technology can provide next-generation performance gains to vehicle manufacturers,” he said.
“The funding and assistance provided by the AMGC has allowed us to accelerate our development and commercialisation efforts into global markets, including Europe and Japan.”
Doftek’s co-founder Dr Priscilla Rogers said AMGC was integral to its success.
“It has an executive team and staff, who have the industry-specific experience, networks and thought leadership needed to be successful in bringing new technologies to market,” she said.
“We feel extremely fortunate to be able to work alongside an exceptional team at the AMGC, and build a strong partnership.”
AMGC managing director Dr Jens Goennemann said Doftek is evidence of the impact Australia’s automotive component sector can have on a global scale.
“Doftek is proof that Australia has a strong and innovative automotive component sector exporting hundreds and thousands of components yearly for inclusion into global supply chains,” Dr Goennemann said.
“Doftek has designed, engineered, tested and, with our assistance, will now commercialise an innovative automotive solution with global relevance and impact.
“In the fullness of time, Doftek expects to support 40 highly-skilled Australian manufacturing jobs.”
Doftek executive director and co-founder Dr Priscilla Rogers said: “With a rapidly growing customer base, we are actively scaling our business and engineering operations.
“Our co-location with Bosch Australia allows us to expand our footprint on demand and in a turn-key fashion with access to world-class facilities and expertise that supports automotive componentry development.
“There are very few co-location ecosystems in Victoria that support hardware development, so the opportunity provided by Bosch is compelling for companies like ours.”
Bosch Oceania president Gavin Smith said: “There’s no better place for an innovative early-stage technology company to set up camp than here with us in Clayton.”
“But not just for the space. Doftek can also call on our expertise in automotive technology development, testing, and manufacturing establishment, should the need arise.”
It is estimated that the completed project will lead to an additional five jobs at Doftek, five at its suppliers, and 30 across domestic project partners.
The prototype is co-funded by AMGC as part of the Australian Government’s Industry Growth Centre Initiative and will assist with commercialisation of the technology and manufacture of a commercial-grade prototype.