#216 – Bob Purcell | Purcell Advisory Group – Launching the EV-1, Low Volume Production & First Principles

Future of Mobility

Bob Purcell has over 30 years of experience in the highly competitive world automotive industry creating and launching new technologies, business models and organizations. He is a recognized expert in strategic planning and a pioneer in electric drive technology and vehicle development, manufacturing, and commercialization.

Takeaways

• Problem-solving and optimization are crucial in the evolving mobility ecosystem.
• Systems engineering is key to improving transportation and creating optimized systems.
• Bringing new technology to market requires collaboration with suppliers and setting cost targets.
• Mass reduction and innovative solutions play a significant role in improving vehicle efficiency and performance. Start with first principles engineering by understanding the physics and laws of the universe.
• Apply first principles thinking to optimize various aspects of a product, such as aerodynamics and airflow.
• Extend first principles thinking beyond engineering to areas like supply chain and organizational systems.
• Collaboration between academia, government, and industry is crucial for driving real change.
• Transitional capacity in manufacturing can provide high-quality, cost-effective solutions for products that don't fit within traditional production systems.

Links:

• Show notes: http://brandonbartneck.com/futureofmobility/bobpurcell
• Edison Manufacturing Exchange: https://brandonbartneck.substack.com/publish/home\
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-c-bob-purcell-6b7b8211/
• https://purcelladvisorygroup.com/

Keywords

mobility, problem-solving, optimization, systems engineering, transportation, GM EV1, technology, suppliers, cost targets, value proposition, mass reduction, efficiency, performance, first principles engineering, physics, laws of physics, aerodynamics, airflow, hybrid vehicle, teardrop shape, supply chain, organizational systems, academia, government, industry, transitional capacity, manufacturing

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Background
• 05:19 The Changing Landscape of Transportation
• 09:26 Challenges in Launching New Technology
• 12:34 Collaborating with Suppliers for Success
• 15:36 The Importance of Mass Reduction and Efficiency in Electric Vehicles
• 33:03 Aerodynamics and First Principles Engineering
• 39:27 Applying First Principles Thinking to Systems and Processes
• 43:39 Understanding Requirements in Real Systems Engineering
• 49:44 The Future of Transportation and Access
• 55:45 Transitional Capacity in Manufacturing
• 01:00:43 Thinking Differently to Improve Performance
• 01:01:43 Problem-Solving and Optimization in the Mobility Ecosystem
• 01:02:44 Rethinking Assumptions for Improved Transportation
• 01:03:43 Building Optimized Supply Chains and Production Systems
• 01:04:11 Implementing Technology Solutions for Impact in the Mobility Industry

Future of Mobility:

The Future of Mobility podcast is focused on the development and implementation of safe, sustainable, effective, and accessible mobility solutions, with a spotlight on the people and technology advancing these fields.

Edison Manufacturing and Engineering:

Edison is your low volume contract manufacturing partner, focused on assembly of complex mobility and energy products that don’t neatly fit within traditional high-volume production methods.

linkedin.com/in/brandonbartneck/

brandonbartneck.com/futureofmobility/