To achieve high performance and efficiency, as well as reduced size, weight, and cost, and to accelerate vehicle development, EVs are also integrating electronic power controls, such as DC-DC converters and on-board chargers (OBCs). EV manufacturers in advanced markets like China have developed an X-in-1 platform that integrates multiple functions, accelerating adoption in many vehicle models.

As X-in-1 integrates multiple functions and increases in complexity, maintaining a high level of vehicle quality becomes a significant challenge. Therefore, the development of preventative safety technologies, such as diagnostic and fault prediction functions, is crucial to ensuring vehicle safety. To address this challenge, the two companies agreed to combine Nidec's motor technology and Renesas' semiconductor technology to jointly develop a high-reliability, high-performance proof of concept (PoC) for the X-in-1 system. The PoC is designed to deliver industry-leading performance and efficiency, along with reduced size, light weight, and lower cost for the X-in-1 system.

The companies plan to launch the first Proof of Concept (PoC) by the end of 2023, which will include a 6-in-1 system with a DC-DC converter, an on-board circuit (OBC), and a power distribution unit (PDU), as well as a motor, inverter, and gearbox. As a second phase, in 2024, Nidec and Renesas plan to develop a highly integrated X-in-1 PoC incorporating a battery management system (BMS) along with other components. The first PoC will include SiC (silicon carbide)-based power devices, and the second PoC will replace the DC-DC and OBC power devices with GaN (gallium nitride), which offers excellent high-frequency operating performance, to further reduce size and cost.

Building on the PoC developed through this collaboration, Nidec plans to rapidly produce E-Axle systems to add to its portfolio and ramp up mass production to lead the E-Axle market.

Renesas plans to develop and offer turnkey solutions for increasingly complex X-in-1 systems by expanding the jointly developed Proof of Concept (PoC) for reference E-Axle designs.

"To mark Nidec's 50th anniversary, we have taken on the significant challenge of developing a next-generation, world-class X-in-1 system, which harks back to our core principle of pioneering the world's best innovations," said Mitsuya Kishida, Executive Vice President and Managing Director of Nidec's Automotive Motors and Electronic Control Business Unit. "By leveraging our strengths in automotive technology and developing PoCs together with Renesas, a leader in automotive semiconductor solutions, we aim to lead the market as the world's leading E-Axle supplier."

“We are very pleased to announce our collaboration with Nidec, which has an exceptional track record of success in E-Axle traction motors,” said Vivek Bhan, Senior Vice President, Co-General Manager of the High-Performance Computing, Analog and Power Solutions Group at Renesas. “Our contribution to this collaboration extends beyond hardware design, encompassing software development, which is critical to enabling the rapid development of proofs of concept (PoCs) for our customers.”