Institution news
Please can you briefly explain your role and previous involvement with the Institution’s Emerging technology for heavy-duty and off-highway vehicle development seminar.
Mark Thorogood (MT): My role is to drive the development of new technologies and processes to MRL9 before approving them for deployment to an Arrival microfactories. Validating new technologies is key to Arrival achieving its global business objectives.
What do you think is the number one challenge for organisations looking to reduce vehicle emissions?
MT: Letting go of legacy values and methodologies. These have served us well in the past but that does not automatically ensure that they are still fit for purpose.
What would you say is the technology to watch when it comes to heavy-duty/off-highway development?
MT: Localised manufacture of product tailored to a particular market.
What breakthroughs in terms of technology do we need for a cost-effective and net-zero heavy-duty/off-highway sector in the future?
MT: None – what we need is the ability to imagine how we can use existing technology more flexibly.
Which topics or speakers on the agenda are you looking forward to hearing at this year’s conference?
MT: Medium-duty technology trends and developments by Carl Hergart, Chief Engineer at Leyland Trucks.
Mark will be speaking as the opening keynote presentation at the Institution's Emerging Technology for Heavy-Duty and Off-Highway Vehicle Development seminar, taking place online on 22 June 2021.
With an agenda comprised of leading operators, automotive OEMs and researchers, the seminar will tackle the common challenges for engineers involved in these vehicle types. Join to understand the latest in alternative powertrain and fuel types, including hydrogen and biomethane, together with the lessons learned from fleet rollouts for buses, coaches, tractors, construction vehicles and more.
For full details and to register your place, please visit the event website.