July 14, 2024

#216 – Bob Purcell | Purcell Advisory Group – Launching the EV-1, Low Volume Production & First Principles

1 hour 5 minutes

Bob Purcell has over 30 years of experience in the highly competitive world automotive industry creating and launching new technologies, business models and organizations. He is a recognized expert in strategic planning and a pioneer in electric drive technology and vehicle development, manufacturing, and commercialization.

Takeaways

Problem-solving and optimization are crucial in the evolving mobility ecosystem.

Systems engineering is key to improving transportation and creating optimized systems.

Bringing new technology to market requires collaboration with suppliers and setting cost targets.

Mass reduction and innovative solutions play a significant role in improving vehicle efficiency and performance. Start with first principles engineering by understanding the physics and laws of the universe.

Apply first principles thinking to optimize various aspects of a product, such as aerodynamics and airflow.

Extend first principles thinking beyond engineering to areas like supply chain and organizational systems.

Collaboration between academia, government, and industry is crucial for driving real change.

Transitional capacity in manufacturing can provide high-quality, cost-effective solutions for products that don't fit within traditional production systems.

Links:

Show notes: http://brandonbartneck.com/futureofmobility/bobpurcell

Edison Manufacturing Exchange: https://brandonbartneck.substack.com/publish/home\

https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-c-bob-purcell-6b7b8211/

https://purcelladvisorygroup.com/

Keywords

mobility, problem-solving, optimization, systems engineering, transportation, GM EV1, technology, suppliers, cost targets, value proposition, mass reduction, efficiency, performance, first principles engineering, physics, laws of physics, aerodynamics, airflow, hybrid vehicle, teardrop shape, supply chain, organizational systems, academia, government, industry, transitional capacity, manufacturing

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

05:19 The Changing Landscape of Transportation

09:26 Challenges in Launching New Technology

12:34 Collaborating with Suppliers for Success

15:36 The Importance of Mass Reduction and Efficiency in Electric Vehicles

33:03 Aerodynamics and First Principles Engineering

39:27 Applying First Principles Thinking to Systems and Processes

43:39 Understanding Requirements in Real Systems Engineering

49:44 The Future of Transportation and Access

55:45 Transitional Capacity in Manufacturing

01:00:43 Thinking Differently to Improve Performance

01:01:43 Problem-Solving and Optimization in the Mobility Ecosystem

01:02:44 Rethinking Assumptions for Improved Transportation

01:03:43 Building Optimized Supply Chains and Production Systems

01:04:11 Implementing Technology Solutions for Impact in the Mobility Industry

Future of Mobility:

The Future of Mobility podcast is focused on the development and implementation of safe, sustainable, effective, and accessible mobility solutions, with a spotlight on the people and technology advancing these fields.

Edison Manufacturing and Engineering:

Edison is your low volume contract manufacturing partner, focused on assembly of complex mobility and energy products that don’t neatly fit within traditional high-volume production methods.

linkedin.com/in/brandonbartneck/

brandonbartneck.com/futureofmobility/

...more

View all episodes

By Brandon Bartneck

1919 ratings