Main worked performed during the reporting period.
1.- Technical and regulatory tasks
ACTIVITY 1.1 Clarify the current regulation requirement in the EU for the integration of an electronic device in an Electric Vehicle RESULT: We have contacted several certification companies and we have already initiated the registration process with the company QAS-Company AG for ISO:9001.
ACTIVITY 1.2 Understand the technical requirements for electrical devices demanded by European EV manufacturers. RESULT: The technical requirements of Maxitherm have been adapted to the needs of Electric Vehicles thanks to the collaboration with our partner EAUTO.
ACTIVITY 1.3 Partner search: selection of key collaborators which will participate in the industrial scale up of MAXITHERM technology RESULT: We have contacted with many potential partners interested in taking part in the innovation. At the end we have created a consortium with “CHMUELLER”, a German SME specialized in providing cabin interiors to the main automobile manufacturers, and with “EAUTO” a Slovenian SME specialized in developing technology for the electric automotive industry.
ACTIVITY 1.4 Scaling up working plan: bring all partners together to define a concrete working plan for the development of MAXITHERM with the objective of take MAXITHERM into the market in 2 years. RESULT: a 24 month work plan has been developed jointly between the three partners, and will be further developed for the phase 2 proposal.
2.- Business related Tasks –
ACTIVITY 2.1 Subcontract a Market Study for new HVCA for EV including the potential market for the solution currently under development. Identify the main market barriers within the automotive industry. RESULT: We have gain good insight into the electric automotive industry and we are more convinced that Maxitherm will have a good response in the market.
ACTIVITY 2.2 Identify the key stakeholders from the EV industry such as EV manufactures, components suppliers, EV associations. RESULT: Key stakeholders have been identified together with the new partners, CHMUELLER and EAUTO, two companies with stablished position in the sector of electric vehicles.
ACTIVITY 2.3 Develop a commercial and exploitation plan for MAXITHERM (based on findings from 2.1) in order to ensure a fast market entry within the automotive industry. RESULT: a new commercialization strategy has been defined together with our new partner – CHMUELLER- In the new strategy we will focus on targeting one specific vehicle manufacturer and adapt our innovation to one model in order to facilitate the integration.
ACTIVITY 2.4 With the support of experts on IPR: clarify the patent/registration needed to protect MAXITHERM when commercialized outside the EU, with a special focus on Japan. RESULT: The Word trademark for our innovation has been registered as Maxitex-Therm with date 8th of June 2015 in the Official Germany body for Patents and Trademarks (Deutches Patent-und Markenamt). The IPR strategy and its expected costs and timeline has been clarify.
ACTIVITY 2.5 Develop a complete Business Plan for MAXITHERM, defining in detail the expected revenues and streams and costs structure, including a Marketing Plan, IPR management plan, an Economic Viability study and a personalized Market Study. RESULT: Maxitherm business plan has been updated.
