Voltaiq: EV Battery Intelligence for Automotive Leaders

The Impact of the Chevy Bolt Recall and the Need for Battery Intelligence

The recall of the Chevy Bolt represented a significant financial and reputational challenge for General Motors, and potentially for the wider electric vehicle (EV) industry.

Challenges in Identifying Defective Batteries

The substantial scale of the recall – encompassing approximately 141,000 vehicles – underscored a critical issue: neither the battery cell manufacturer, LG Chem, nor GM were able to precisely identify which batteries contained defects. The companies were aware of potential issues within LG Chem’s manufacturing processes, which could elevate the risk of fire in a subset of the vehicles, but not all.

Voltaiq: A Proactive Approach to Battery Health

To address the potential for widespread recalls, companies like Voltaiq are developing innovative solutions.

Enterprise Battery Intelligence (EBI) Platform

Voltaiq’s Enterprise Battery Intelligence (EBI) platform distinguishes itself by leveraging existing data from the battery pack, rather than requiring the addition of new sensors. This data is then presented to automakers, technology firms, and battery manufacturers in an accessible format, facilitating a comprehensive assessment of system health.

Supply Chain Integration

The platform extends its analysis beyond current vehicle performance, integrating with cell suppliers throughout the supply chain. Founded in 2012, Voltaiq provides a means to interpret complex data and proactively identify potential issues, from raw material sourcing and research & development through testing and final installation.

Industry Adoption and Key Clients

Voltaiq’s technology has gained traction within the automotive sector and beyond.

Notable Clients

The system is currently utilized by Mercedes-Benz, two of the major Detroit-based automakers (who have requested anonymity), and prominent tech companies including Google, Amazon, and Microsoft.

The Unique Nature of Battery Technology

Voltaiq’s co-founder and CEO, Tal Sholklapper, emphasizes the fundamental differences between batteries and other components.

Batteries as Dynamic Systems

“The battery is fundamentally different than any other component in our modern devices,” Sholklapper explained to TechCrunch. He described batteries as possessing characteristics akin to a living organism, exhibiting complex, nuanced, and often unpredictable behavior throughout their lifespan. Successfully managing these potentially volatile components necessitates the analysis of substantial data volumes, a task at which Voltaiq excels.

Data Analysis and Supplier Oversight

Voltaiq’s analytics software streamlines data processing, reducing the time required to identify critical information for companies and their research teams.

Detecting Unannounced Changes

The system also facilitates quality control checks on batteries received from suppliers. In some instances, customers have discovered unannounced changes in battery chemistry implemented by suppliers, highlighting the platform’s value in maintaining supply chain transparency.

Preventing Costly Delays: A Real-World Example

Voltaiq shared a case study illustrating the potential cost savings of their technology.

Averted Launch Delay

One automaker experienced a significant issue that threatened a vehicle launch. A supplied battery failed qualification testing just one month before the scheduled release. The resulting delay extended the launch date by 18 months while a new supplier was secured. Voltaiq’s platform could have detected this issue prior to delivery, potentially averting the substantial delay.

Mitigating Recall Risks

While declining to comment specifically on the GM and LG Chem situation, Voltaiq’s capabilities – including proactive issue detection, regular health assessments, and batch-level problem identification – could help minimize the likelihood of similar recalls.

Competitive Landscape

Although other companies offer similar services, Voltaiq’s founders believe their primary competition stems from potential customers.

The "Build vs. Buy" Dilemma

“Because this is engineering data, there’s still this desire for the OEMs to own it and do it in-house. So we see this, like, build versus buy behavior,” noted co-founder and CTO Eli Leland.

Success Stories: Microsoft and Google

Both Microsoft and Google initially attempted to develop in-house solutions before ultimately becoming Voltaiq customers.

The Growing Importance of Battery Intelligence

As batteries become increasingly central to a wide range of applications, understanding their behavior is paramount.

Applications Across Industries

Most companies do not primarily identify as battery companies, yet batteries are integral to their products – from voice-activated speakers and electric vehicles to energy storage systems powering electric grids in locations like Hawaii and Australia. Improved understanding of battery chemistry is crucial for ensuring reliable performance and safety.

For all these applications, monitoring the state of lithium-ion packs is becoming increasingly vital, as demonstrated by the experiences of companies like GM.