USA

Charles Vaillant , Chief Technical Officer

months , including pilot testing , prototyping , ramp up , manufacturing and the launch of the product . “ Now we are launching lots of new features . The hardware stays the same but we build on added value in sprints to optimize and enhance the offering to our customers .”

That methodology delivered a sensational new anti-pollution technology platform , “ the Fine Dust Eater ”, is now being trialed in Stuttgart and soon to be seen on the streets of Bangalore and Shanghai . The World Health Organization estimates that 7mn premature deaths a year can be put down to air pollution . In Germany , it ’ s 47,000 . The company has developed applications which are designed to reduce the pollution caused by particulates . A filter installed on the roof or on the underbody of a vehicle retains particulates from the ambient air . A brake dust particle filter minimizes the release of brake dust to the environment . The vehicle occupants are protected by an NO2 fine dust combi filter . The idea is to improve the air quality in cities by sucking up the ambient dust – if enough mobile and static units can be deployed . We do not know yet the impact these technologies will have , but as Vaillant says “ if you try nothing you will not get anything . If your company core competence is to remove the useful from the armful , then it is your duty to come up with answers , isn ’ t it ?”

www . manufacturingglobal . com 93