Automotive components manufacturer JTekt Europe and Assystem Technologies, an engineering, quality and digital solutions provider, have strengthened their strategic partnership by establishing an R&D services center in France near Lyon where they will focus on development of technologies for autonomous vehicles.
Operations at the facility began in the first quarter of 2018 and will continue under a multi-year agreement. Experts at the facility are focused on product innovation, mechanical design, mechatronics, software engineering and electronics, project management and serial life management. Equipment installed in the center will include secured workspace, secured IT facilities, and test benches.
Around 50 Assystem Technologies engineers are based there. The company first invests in the infrastructures. Part of its premises near Lyon is now dedicated to the activity of this center, implying specific works: reinforcement of the facility security and deployment of secured communications – including IT – with JTtekt. Assystem Technologies will also work to enlarge the premises in the coming months due to the (global) development of its activities and its workforce in the region, and to prepare/plan the future extension of the R&D service center.
There are four departments located in the center:
Project Management – Staff here will coordinate the leading of global technical aspects of the projects, monitoring of project deadlines/milestones and wider business development.
Mechatronics – Those working in these department will be responsible for the mechanical design, parts design, electronics design, and management of parts and electronics systems suppliers.
Software – Employees within this department will be responsible for the software development, validation and software project management.
Serial life management – Those working here will be responsible for the mechanical design, and management of the suppliers to optimize the product quality and cost
Rémi Festaz, VP for France at Assystem Technologies, commented, “The creation of this shared R&D services center is the fruit of 15 years of trusted collaboration. Our level of commitment and new responsibilities will enable us to better meet the challenges facing JTekt in integrating state-of-the-art technology to develop increasingly autonomous vehicles, for example.”
Richard Chauvel-Sanz, director of the technical center for JTekt Europe, added, “The services center established with our long-term partner Assystem Technologies is an extension of our current R&D. This integrated model has redefined our ways of working and has helped us to improve our responsiveness and performance, which ultimately means better value for customers.”