💡Modal Motors Aims to Ditch Rare-Earth Magnets in US Manufacturing
US Startup Bets on Rare-Earth Free Motors
TL;DR
Modal Motors is developing rare-earth magnet-free electric motors for drones and robotics, aiming to reduce US reliance on China. The startup will compete at TechCrunch Disrupt next month.
Modal Motors is developing electric motors in the US and North America, aiming to eliminate rare-earth magnets from their manufacturing process. This move is significant for the robotics and drone industries, as it offers a China-free option for electric motors. The company is developing a small motor for drones and a planar motor called the 'Hybrid Enigma Drive'. The founder, with decades of automotive experience, believes this is an urgent shift to reduce reliance on China's rare-earth supply chain. Modal Motors is one of the startups in Startup Battlefield 200 and will compete at TechCrunch Disrupt next month.
Key Points
Modal Motors is competing in Startup Battlefield 200 and TechCrunch Disrupt 2023.
The company's small motor is designed for drones, fans, blowers, and actuators, minimizing mass while maximizing torque density and efficiency.
The 'Hybrid Enigma Drive' is a planar electric motor designed to fit in lower-profile spaces.
The founder previously worked on a hybrid gas-electric drivetrain for China's 'People's Car' in the late 1990s.
Modal Motors aims to be a China-free option, with other companies still relying on rare-earth magnets, which are years away from being domestically sourced.
Why It Matters
If you're in the robotics or drone industry, Modal Motors' rare-earth magnet-free motors offer a China-free option. The founder's decades of automotive experience and the company's focus on eliminating rare-earth magnets could disrupt the supply chain, making US manufacturing more independent.
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