In today’s fast-paced automotive industry, it’s not always the big players that drive innovation. Take Tesla, for example. Just a decade and a half ago, they were a small startup producing less than a thousand cars a year. Now, they’re the most valuable carmaker in the world. But it’s not just Tesla that’s shaking things up. There are other startups like Ree and Arrival making waves in the light commercial market. And then there are the niche car manufacturers in the UK, facing similar technological challenges as the big OEMs but without the same resources.
One company that’s stepping up to the plate is Titan, an engineering and manufacturing firm based in Cambridgeshire. They specialize in developing high-tech steering systems tailored to the needs of low-volume manufacturers. With their roots in motorsport, Titan has a deep understanding of the automotive industry and the unique requirements of niche cars.
According to George Lendrum, CEO of Titan, the challenge for niche manufacturers is volume. The Tier One suppliers, who primarily support large OEMs, are not equipped to meet the needs of low-volume manufacturers. Approaching them for a steering system could cost millions and take years to develop, resulting in a product that’s based on an existing design. That’s where Titan comes in, offering a more cost-effective and customized solution.
Over the years, Titan has experienced significant growth, expanding from 30 to nearly 90 employees and quadrupling their turnover. They’ve become a technology-driven organization, focusing on steering systems for electric vehicles. As the trend towards electrification continues, heavier vehicles require power assistance, making electric power assisted steering (EPAS) a no-brainer. This opens up new possibilities for control and automated driving.
EPAS systems are more challenging than traditional hydraulic systems because they have more inertia to overcome. However, Titan’s technical director, Paul Wilkinson, explains that they have the technology to restore the necessary feedback. What sets Titan apart is their ability to tune the steering feel to meet the preferences of different customers. High-performance car manufacturers, in particular, value steering feel as an integral part of their vehicle’s DNA.
One of Titan’s current projects is a 48-volt steer-by-wire system that eliminates the need for a mechanical connection to the wheels. This innovative system, including the motor, is produced in-house. They’ve also developed a supplementary system that can be added to traditional hydraulic steering setups, allowing for features like lane keep assist and automated parking.
As the automotive industry moves towards advanced driver assistance systems and partial autonomy, functional safety becomes paramount. Wilkinson explains that the steering system must not only be fail-safe but also fail-functional, meaning it remains as capable as a human driver in the event of a failure. To achieve this, Titan incorporates aerospace practices, including redundant systems and multiple checks.
To meet the stringent quality requirements of the automotive industry, Titan has adopted ISO/TS 16949, the gold standard for large OEMs and their suppliers. This standard ensures that their processes and procedures are of the highest quality. In fact, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Titan seamlessly transitioned to producing medical equipment, showcasing their agility and responsiveness.
While Titan primarily serves niche manufacturers, they also collaborate with big OEMs on low-volume projects. Their expertise and ability to match the pace of these projects make them a valuable asset in the automotive mainstream.
In a rapidly evolving industry, it’s the smartest and most innovative companies like Titan that are driving progress. With their cutting-edge steering systems and commitment to quality, they’re revolutionizing the way niche cars are built and ensuring that low-volume manufacturers can compete in a rapidly changing market.
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