Donut Lab, a subsidiary of Verge Motorcycles, is making waves in the electric mobility sector with its innovative approach to electric motors. Building on Verge’s pioneering in-wheel motor technology for its electric motorcycles, Donut Lab has developed a range of “donut-shaped” rim-integrated motors designed to power a diverse array of vehicles, from heavy-duty trucks and buses to compact drones. This scalable technology, coupled with a comprehensive software platform, promises to dramatically accelerate the development and adoption of electric vehicles across various industries.
At this year’s CES, Donut Lab unveiled its diverse motor lineup and showcased several compelling concept applications. The core innovation lies in the unique motor design, which integrates seamlessly into the wheel rim. This integrated configuration offers several key advantages over traditional motor setups. By embedding the motor within the rim, Donut Lab achieves not only enhanced performance but also significant weight savings. This design optimizes space utilization and minimizes energy loss, contributing to greater efficiency.
Beyond the hardware, Donut Lab has developed a comprehensive platform that includes battery modules, computer units, and vehicle control software. This integrated ecosystem, combined with their proprietary software platform, significantly streamlines the often complex and time-consuming process of vehicle development. According to Donut Lab, this integrated approach can drastically reduce development timelines from years to just a single month, a potentially game-changing advantage for manufacturers looking to quickly bring electric vehicles to market.
Marko Lehtimäki, CEO of Donut Lab and CTO at Verge, highlighted the challenges of traditional vehicle development, where integrating components from various manufacturers often leads to lengthy and expensive integration work. Donut Lab’s integrated platform directly addresses this issue by offering a cohesive and efficient solution. This approach not only simplifies the design and manufacturing process but also fosters greater compatibility and performance optimization.
The company’s CES showcase featured several proof-of-concept vehicles, demonstrating the versatility and potential of its technology. These included an electric hypercar, showcasing the high-performance capabilities of the motor; an all-terrain tracked snowmobile, developed in collaboration with Latvian company Oruga, demonstrating the motor’s adaptability to challenging environments; and a RotorHawk drone, developed with Australian company Hyper Q Aerospace, highlighting the scalability of the technology down to small-scale applications. A city bus concept further illustrated the potential for large-scale public transportation electrification.
With the global electric transportation market poised for substantial growth in the coming years, Donut Lab’s innovative technology is well-positioned to play a significant role in shaping the future of mobility. By offering a modular, high-performance, and rapidly deployable solution, Donut Lab is empowering both established manufacturers and emerging companies to accelerate their transition to electric power. The company’s focus on simplifying the development process and providing a complete platform has the potential to revolutionize the automotive industry and drive the widespread adoption of electric vehicles across a broad spectrum of sectors.