Artikel Changan Unveils Breakthrough Rotary Engine to Rival Japan pertama kali tampil pada todayinasian.com.
]]>The R05E prototype, developed by Harbin Dongan Auto Engine — a subsidiary of Changan Automobile Group — has successfully completed its first ignition tests and is being prepared for refinement and eventual mass production targeted around 2027. The engine sticks to the classic Wankel-style configuration with a single rotor and curved triangular chamber, offering the compact size and power density that rotor designs are famous for. Its maximum rotation reaches about 6,500 rpm, with power output in the neighbourhood of 71 hp (about 53 kW), making it an intriguing candidate for niche automotive roles and other mobility platforms.
What sets the R05E apart from historical rotary units are modern engineering touches tailored to real-world performance and efficiency. Changan engineers equipped the engine with independent dual ignition circuits, a lightweight eccentric shaft for responsive behaviour, and advanced internal balancing systems to reduce vibration and improve stability.
Read More: From Prototype to Product: China’s GPU Challenge to Nvidia Begins
To combat the hallmark friction and sealing issues that once limited rotary longevity, innovative materials like nanodiamond composite (NDC) friction-reducing coatings and a cast aluminum housing were applied — choices that hint at a greater focus on durability and energy efficiency than past efforts.
Beyond passenger cars, Changan envisions the R05E powering a range of applications — notably those in low-altitude mobility, including drones and light electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, where compact size and exceptional power-to-weight ratio are critical. Such adaptability contrasts with traditional inline or V-type piston engines and reflects a strategic push to make rotary tech relevant for future transport ecosystems, not just automobiles.
This hard push into rotary power signals a broader shift in global automotive development: China, long dominant in electrification and affordability, is now investing in advanced powertrain diversity that could redraw competitive lines with Japanese engine makers famed for their internal-combustion expertise. Whether Changan’s rotary tech ultimately displaces or simply coexists with conventional engines remains to be seen, but the R05E’s arrival marks an unmistakable milestone in China’s quest to innovate on multiple mobility fronts.
Artikel Changan Unveils Breakthrough Rotary Engine to Rival Japan pertama kali tampil pada todayinasian.com.
]]>Artikel How Singapore Rigorously Tests Self-Driving Vehicles Before Launch pertama kali tampil pada todayinasian.com.
]]>Sourced from The Straits Times, the first step in this evaluation is Milestone One, which takes place in a controlled test circuit at Nanyang Technological University (NTU). There, autonomous vehicles must successfully complete a series of basic manoeuvres that mirror real-world driving conditions. These tasks include obstacle avoidance, emergency braking, lane keeping, and reaction to unexpected events. The circuit is designed to simulate Singapore’s urban roads as closely as possible, with traffic signs, intersections, and variable road layouts.
Passing Milestone One grants limited authorisation to proceed to public trials. However, not every vehicle that undertakes the circuit test is immediately advanced. Authorities assess whether the vehicle’s responses are reliable, consistent, and safe under edge cases before allowing further exposure.
To date, more than 50 authorisations for autonomous vehicle testing have been granted since 2017, and about 19 vehicles are currently permitted to operate in certain public settings. The LTA continues to monitor their performance closely, gathering data on real-world interactions, system reliability, and compliance with traffic norms.
Read More: Rising Costs, Staff Shortage, Competition Drive Singapore F&B Closures
A single run through the NTU circuit can take approximately five hours, which allows evaluators to subject the vehicle to a range of conditions and stimuli during one continuous session. This duration ensures that systems are tested under varying loads, sensor inputs, and environmental conditions.
The multi-milestone approach also incorporates simulation phases and virtual assessments. Before physical trials, developers are often required to validate their systems through simulation, where thousands of virtual scenarios—including rare or extreme events—can be tested safely and repeatedly. These simulations help identify failure modes and calibrate system behavior before risking real vehicles on roads. (Supporting methodologies align with Singapore’s Simulation Assessment Guidelines for independent safety assurance)
Only after a vehicle demonstrates safety across controlled track tests, simulation, and initial real-road trials can it obtain a full licence to run under broader public conditions. Throughout the process, regulators, developers, and researchers collect extensive data on system performance, fault rates, human interactions, and environmental robustness.
Singapore’s graduated, multi-layered testing framework reflects its cautious but forward-looking approach to deploying autonomous vehicle technology. By combining physical circuit tests, simulation, and real-world trialling, the country seeks to ensure that self-driving systems are mature, dependable, and ready for public roads before full deployment.
Artikel How Singapore Rigorously Tests Self-Driving Vehicles Before Launch pertama kali tampil pada todayinasian.com.
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