Bose spent years and millions creating the ultimate car suspension system. A technical success but a commercial flop, it never came to be.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KPYIaks1UY

While there have been enhancements and improvements to both springs and shock absorbers, the basic design of car suspensions has not undergone a sign­ificant evolution over the years. But all of that's about to change with the introduction of a brand-new suspension design conceived by Bose -- the same Bose known for its innovations in acoustic technologies. Some experts are going so far as to say that the Bose suspension is the biggest advance in automobile suspensions since the introduction of an all-independent design.

How does it work? The Bose system uses a linear electromagnetic motor (LEM) at each wheel in lieu of a conventional shock-and-spring setup. Amplifiers provide electricity to the motors in such a way that their power is regenerated with each compression of the system. The main benefit of the motors is that they are not limited by the inertia inherent in conventional fluid-based dampers. As a result, an LEM can extend and compress at a much greater speed, virtually eliminating all vibrations in the passenger cabin. The wheel's motion can be so finely controlled that the body of the car remains level regardless of what's happening at the wheel. The LEM can also counteract the body motion of the car while accelerating, braking and cornering, giving the driver a greater sense of control.

Why Bose’s Electromagnetic Car Suspension System Never Made it to Market
POSTED BY IN COMPLIANCE NEWS ON FEBRUARY 13, 2016 IN ENGINEERING NEWS | LEAVE A RESPONSE
Bose—the company best known for its high-end speakers—spent three decades on a side project developing an active suspension system for luxury vehicles. The system was a passion project for the company’s late founder Amar Bose. Although it was kept quiet for many years, going by the code name Project Sound, in 2007 Mr. Bose said the high-tech suspension system was ready for commercialization. Jaguar, Mercedes, Honda, and Ferrari all expressed interest in the technology, but nothing ever happened. Now, Bose’s new CEO Bob Maresca revealed the reason the project stalled, in an interview with CNET.

Maresca was first hired by Bose in the 1980s to work as an engineer on the secret suspension project. Now, 30 years and a few big promotions later, Maresca explained why Project Sound never quite came to fruition. The project was a technical success but a commercial failure because the unique suspension system was too heavy and expensive for automakers to incorporate into vehicles. Still, as the video above demonstrates, the system is exquisite.

The active suspension system borrows speaker technology to adapt suspension to road conditions so that drivers and passengers don’t feel any bumps in the road. It uses electromagnetic motors powered by electric power amplifiers and switches, which work together to make the wheels bounce up and down over obstacles, while the body of the car remains still.

This system uses proprietary software, linear electromagnetic motors, and power amplifers to control each wheel.
Bose
Unfortunately, special metal and a powerful computer processor make the system heavy and expensive. For now, the technology that took many years and dollars to develop is being used in Bose Ride, a special seat for commercial trucks, designed to reduce drivers’ fatigue and back pain.
https://incompliancemag.com/bose-electromagnetic-car-suspension-system/

This is nothing new. The Mexican American low riders who reside in the Barrios of East Los Angeles, have been installing custom hydraulic shock absorbers in their 1969 Chevy Impalas, to make the front end of their cars do frog jumps, ever since the 1960's.

In East LA, there are even regular competitions to see whose car jumps the highest. That is East LA Cholo culture for you, and you either love it, or like me, regard the practice of jumping cars as one of the more ridiculous, pointless and idiotic endeavors ever to be carried out on a car.

Jakumo:
This is nothing new. The Mexican American low riders who reside in the Barrios of East Los Angeles, have been installing custom hydraulic shock absorbers in their 1969 Chevy Impalas, to make the front end of their cars do frog jumps, ever since the 1960's.

In East LA, there are even regular competitions to see whose car jumps the highest. That is East LA Cholo culture for you, and you either love it, or like me, regard the practice of jumping cars as one of the more ridiculous, pointless and idiotic endeavors ever to be carried out on a car.

Its not just about the jump. Did u watch the video? The suspension is like a flying carpet on uneven roads, speed bumps, potholes and the body frame of the car barely shakes.

snipesdam:


Its not just about the jump. Did u watch the video? The suspension is like a flying carpet on uneven roads, speed bumps, potholes and the body frame of the car barely shakes.

You got me there. I didn't watch the video, and only looked at the still photo that suggests the suspension was merely another Cholo car with hydraulics. Having watched the video, I agree that suspension is very impressive. With a decent development budget, the weight of the system could be reduced for sure, but maybe those truck seats turned out to be a more profitable venture for the inventors.

The suspension is the standard for all others. Kudos to BOSE or bose (yoruba name)

Jakumo:


You got me there. I didn't watch the video, and only looked at the still photo that suggests the suspension was merely another Cholo car with hydraulics. Having watched the video, I agree that suspension is very impressive. With a decent development budget, the weight of the system could be reduced for sure, but maybe those truck seats turned out to be a more profitable venture for the inventors.

Next time get every detail before jumping into conclusions . The jump is a special feature.

One of the most innovative car technologies that never made it to the market. It was far ahead of its time and the world wasn't just ready. It was too expensive and too heavy and wasn't viable for commercial vehicles.

wow

wow

wow

wow

wow

wow

na to install am for tiny light first and foremost

diportivo:
wow

wow

wow

wow

wow

wow

na to install am for tiny light first and foremost

Naso I shout ooo... Imagine cruising @100km/hr on rough 9ja roads. While others are trying to maneuver through the potholes. I think they should still keep the technology open in the market for interested customers.

A similar system is available in the current Ford Fusion. It will glide over potholes