Auto components manufacturer Valeo and the French technological institution, Arts et Métiers, have announced the extension and expansion of their partnership.

Building on a seven-year alliance, the two entities are embarking on a new venture with a focus on the "vibro-acoustics of electric powertrains.”

The new chair or research alliance aims to facilitate the automotive industry's shift towards electrification by addressing the challenge of electric motor and gearbox noise.

Set to continue until 2032, the partnership will see Arts et Métiers' Laboratory of Engineering of Physical and Numerical Systems (LISPEN) and Laboratory of Electrical Engineering and Power Electronics of Lille (L2EP) researchers applying their knowledge in electrical engineering, experimental techniques, digital computations, and vibratory mechanics.

Valeo will contribute its market know-how and incorporate its calculation, testing, and design practices into the research.

The research will concentrate on two primary objectives: first, to develop “electro-magneto-mechanical simulation tools” that can predict vibrations and noise from the design phase of motors and their control strategies.

Second, to devise electrical control solutions and methods for decreasing noise and vibration, including the use of technologies such as viscoelastic materials, piezoelectric absorbers, and meta-materials.

Valeo said that the initial collaboration, which revolved around the chair on "Nonlinear Dynamics for Future Absorbers," brought together experts from LISPEN in Lille and Valeo.

The new chair director and professor-researcher, who is responsible for initiating the partnership, Olivier Thomas, said: “Acoustic comfort has become a critical success factor for electric vehicles.

“If the NVH (Noise Vibration Harshness) exceeds a critical threshold, it jeopardises customer acceptance of this powertrain, as silence remains a strong promise of electric mobility. Today, we are taking a new step forward to further strengthen Valeo’s leadership in electric mobility.”

Recently, Valeo inaugurated a new production site in Shanghai's Waigang Industrial Park, located in the Jiading District, China.

The facility is set to bolster Valeo's manufacturing capabilities for advanced driving assistance systems in China and will play a role in advancing software-defined vehicles and autonomous driving technologies.