Over the past few years, motorsport has seen a great many innovations geared toward improving the industry’s sustainability. The rising popularity of new electric race series, like Formula E and Extreme E, are further driving change. However, investment in new, sustainable technology is not only confined within the industry – we are seeing knowledge transfer from motorsport into a whole host of transport and mobility solutions, from motorcycles, cars and commercial vehicles through to rail and shipping.
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(function($){ $(window).on("resize", function(){ var sid = "9"; var object = $(".bsaProContainer-" + sid + " .bsaProItemInner__img"); var animateThumb = $(".bsaProContainer-" + sid + " .bsaProAnimateThumb"); var innerThumb = $(".bsaProContainer-" + sid + " .bsaProItemInner__thumb"); var parentWidth = "728"; var parentHeight = "90"; var objectWidth = object.width(); if ( objectWidth < parentWidth ) { var scale = objectWidth / parentWidth; if ( objectWidth > 0 && objectWidth != 100 && scale > 0 ) { animateThumb.height(parentHeight * scale); innerThumb.height(parentHeight * scale); object.height(parentHeight * scale); } else { animateThumb.height(parentHeight); innerThumb.height(parentHeight); object.height(parentHeight); } } else { animateThumb.height(parentHeight); innerThumb.height(parentHeight); object.height(parentHeight); } }); $(document).ready(function(){ $(".bsaProItemInner__img").trigger("resize"); }); })(jQuery);Now, though, we look to the sky as Italian advanced technology firm, YCOM, sets its sights on a new horizon. YCOM is often referred to as the unseen hand behind many of motorsport’s most advanced and successful programmes. From Volkswagen’s incredible, record-holding I.D. R Pike’s Peak to Audi’s Le Mans-winning prototypes and the exciting forthcoming eSkootr Scooter Championship (eSC), YCOM has become synonymous with challenging projects at the forefront of motorsport and new-age mobility. Now, under the guidance of entrepreneur and founder, Nicola Scimeca, YCOM is taking on an entirely new challenge – personal aviation.
“The aviation industry, like many others, is facing rapid technological change,” explains Scimeca. “Primarily driven by legislators and growing consumer concern about climate change, the commercial sector has really begun to focus on sustainability. While the electric and hybrid technology we see in motorsport cannot directly fulfil the needs of long-haul flights, there are other sectors of aviation where they most certainly can.”