UK startups Monolith, About:Energy partner for next-gen EV batteries

Artificial intelligence (AI) software startup Monolith and battery tech innovator About:Energy have announced their partnership for more accurate and scalable electric vehicle battery modelling and testing. 

The UK-based startups claim to share a common vision for a dramatic reduction in EV development time, with the potential to speed up the R&D process by 12 to 18 months through AI-powered battery modelling.

Engineers from the partnering companies are working together to develop pre-trained AI models in the Monolith platform using precise, advanced battery data from About:Energy. 

Taking data from numerous batteries, these pre-trained models will enable more accurate, valuable predictions for battery degradation and thermal propagation, they claim. 

By this, the companies add that they can lower number of tests, reduce testing costs, and improve battery performance and safety.

"Our partnership with About:Energy allows us to build more accurate models predicting battery degradation and thermal runaway, using the most robust and reliable battery test data available to engineers," said Dr. Richard Ahlfeld, CEO and founder of Monolith. 

"Whether you are an automotive OEM looking for more comprehensive data, a battery manufacturer, or an EV start-up without test facilities, our pre-trained AI models promise to help optimize your battery validation test plans, and ultimately accelerate the availability of better EVs", he added,

Further, the integration of advanced, technologically driven testing and validation practices will enable vehicle OEMs to obtain rich know-how into the intractable physics of batteries, thereby delivering higher-performing batteries in a significantly reduced timeframe.

Gavin White, CEO and Co-Founder of About:Energy, "At About:Energy, we have developed technologies to obtain battery data of world-leading quality. This partnership with Monolith is a testament to our commitment to driving innovation and adding significant value to the industry and our customers".

"We are always seeking innovative collaborations that help tackle the industry's toughest challenges. Working with Monolith gives industry the access to the best machine-learning talent and highest quality lab data in an easy-to-use software package," he added.

Taking the partnership further beyond the immediate focus for EV development, the partnering companies also claim to have the potentials to expand the same to other applications such as micro mobility and aerospace.