BMW Startup Garage And DeepDrive To Begin Road Testing Of New Dual Rotor E-Drive

The BMW Startup Garage, in partnership with Munich-based DeepDrive, will soon road-test a new electric motor featuring dual rotor technology. This motor aims to provide efficient and powerful drives with substantial range. Following a pilot project with positive results on the test rig, the BMW Group and DeepDrive are preparing for their first field test. Different versions of the new drive system will be installed in BMW Group models to assess their road performance.

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DeepDrive's concept combines two electric motors into one unit, allowing the stator to drive both rotors simultaneously. This design supports an in-wheel drive system, where each wheel hub has its own motor, and a centralized drive system, with a central motor block powering the vehicle.

BMW stated that it recognized DeepDrive's technology early on and has collaborated with the startup since the IAA 2021. It also stated that the technology's readiness is evident, with DeepDrive’s prototype parts exceeding BMW’s specifications.

After successful test rig evaluations, the next step is to validate the motors on the road. The in-wheel motors are expected to save space, be energy-efficient, lighter, and cost-effective, making them suitable for various vehicle models. “DeepDrive’s prototype parts largely exceeded our specifications. DeepDrive has developed an exciting vision for the electric drive of the future,” said Karol Virsik, Head of Research Vehicle Concepts and Technologies at the BMW Group. Virsik further went on to add that, “The Startup Garage allows us to experiment with DeepDrive and work out what drives might look like in the generation after next”.

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DeepDrive is also working with other manufacturers and suppliers, such as Continental. In 2024, their motor concept received the German Innovation Award. Felix Pornbacher, co-founder and co-CEO of DeepDrive stated, “Collaborating with BMW gave us a springboard really early on. It helped us navigate the complex corporate world and meet and exceed the rigorous standards of the automotive industry. Our goal now is to get it integrated into a production model”.