Portsmouth's Institute of Industrial Research
Portsmouth University scientists are providing the artificial intelligence systems for the wheels on PML Flightlinks prototype eco-friendly electric super-car.
The wheels designed by the Institute of Industrial Research use microcomputers to perform 4000 calculations per second and 'talk' to each other.
The wheels use AI to think and learn as the car is being driven, making calculations and adjustments according to travelling speed and road conditions. PML has successfully converted a Mini into an electric vehicle that will put the intelligent wheels to use, each with an electronic hub motor of 160 break-horse-power. This allows for an acceleration of 0-60mph in 4.5 seconds and a top speed of 150 mph (240 kph).
"It will out-perform a Porsche backwards," said PML spokesman, Chris Newman. "Today's electronic technology means that the old idea of an electric car is simply blown out of the water. In EV mode there are zero emissions which means it’s very eco-friendly. It's a car for the 21st Century."