SEMINAR ON
HY-WIRE TECHNOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
Cars are immensely complicated
machines, but they do an incredibly simple
job.
Most of the complex stuff in a car is
decided to turning wheel
The two basic elements that largely dictate
car design today are
1. The internal combustion engine
2. Mechanical and hydraulic linkages
HY-WIRE BASICS
The defining characteristic of the Hy-wire
is that it doesn’t have either of those two
things: engine and mechanical and
hydraulic linkages
Instead of an engine, it has a fuel cell
stack
Instead of mechanical and hydraulic
linkages, it has a drive by wire system
FUEL CELL –ON HY-WIRE
A fuel cell is an electrochemical energy
conversion device that converts hydrogen
and oxygen into water, producing
electricity and heat in the process.
It provides a DC (direct current) voltage
It can continually recharge a fuel cell by
adding chemical fuel- hydrogen for an
onboard storage tank
Proton exchange membrane
fuel-cell
The type of fuel cell that is used in the
Hy-wire car is the Proton exchange
membrane fuel cell.
The four basic elements of a PEM fuel cell
are: The anode, the negative post of the fuel cell
 The cathode, the positive post of the fuel cell
Electrolyte
 It is the proton exchange membrane .
 It blocks electrons .
The catalyst
It is a special material that facilitates the reaction of
oxygen and hydrogen.
It is usually made of platinum powder very thinly
coated onto carbon paper or cloth.
It is rough and porous .
The platinum-coated side of the catalyst faces the
PEM.
The working of PEMFC
 Chemistry of a Fuel Cell
Anode side:
2H2
=> 4H+
+ 4e-
Cathode side:
O2 + 4H+ +4e- => 2H2O
Net reaction:
2H2 + O2
=> 2H2O
DRIVE BY WIRE TECHNOLOGY
 The ‘brain’ of Hy-Wire is a central computer
housed in the middle of the chassis.
 It sends electronic signals to



The motor control unit to vary the speed.
The steering mechanism to maneuver the car.
The braking system to slow the car down .
 It is connected to an array of advanced sensors.
 The computer is connected to the body’s
electronics through universal docking ports.
X-Drive
 X-drive is the driver’s control unit .
 It has two ergonomic groups , positioned to the
left and right of a small LCD monitor.
 The color monitor in the center of the controller
displays speed, mileage, fuel level and the rearview images from video cameras on the sides
and back of the car, in place of conventional
mirrors.
 A second monitor, on a console beside the
driver, shows you stereo, climate control and
navigation information.
 THE X-DRIVE CAN SLIDE TO EITHER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE
Fuel-Cell stack
 It is made up of 200 individual cells connected in
series.
 It collectively provide 94 kilowatts of continuous
power and 129 kilowatts at peak power.
 It is kept cool by a conventional radiator system
 It delivers DC voltage ranging from 125 to 200
volts
THE HYDROGEN TANKS AND FUEL-CELL STACK IN THE HY-WIRE
ADVANTAGES
 1. Fuel efficient - a fuel cell vehicle could
provide twice the fuel efficiency of a comparably
sized conventional vehicle
 2. Environment friendly - the only bi-product
formed is water, which is a non-pollutant.
 3. High stability - a low center of gravity, gives
the architecture both a high stability and superior
handling .
4. Highly spacious - As there are no
linkages and engine lot of legroom space
is available for the passengers.
5. Driver friendly –
X-Drive can be taken to anywhere inside the car
Gives the driver a clear view of the road and thus
increases the drivability.
 6. Freedom of individual expression –
freedom of individual expression
DISADVANTAGES
 1. Low safety -An electrical failure would mean
total loss of control.
 2. Storage and transportation of hydrogen
fuels – production , transportation and storage
of hydrogen for the on board fuel cell stack.
 3. Pricing - With the current status of
development, manufacturing of the Hy-wire cars
on a mass scale would not at all be economical.
FUTURE OF HY-WIRE
Fuel cells offer a promising alternative
They need to be compelling, affordable,
and profitable.
The main challenge is in the field of
storage of hydrogen
CONCLUSION
The Hy-wire concept has so profoundly
brought about changes in the automotive
industry
GM and other auto makers are planning
to launch such a vehicle for the public
usage by the year 2020.
THANK YOU