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Read on to understand what he sees as the biggest opportunities for those working in this field and what he is looking forward to at this year’s conference.
Q: Please can you briefly explain your role and previous involvement with the Institution’s International Conference on Turbochargers and Turbocharging.
Takashi Otobe (TO): I first joined the organizing committee of this conference in 2008 as a turbocharged-engine expert of an OEM and have since been involved in the International Conference as a committee member.
Q: With the phasing out of ICE vehicles, where do you see the future direction of turbochargers and boosting solutions going?
TO: I think the combination of hybrid, e-fuel and high efficiency internal combustion engines, equipped with an electric boosting system for exhaust heat recovery, will be the solution for future global CO2 reduction.
Q: With the growth of hybrids and fuels cells, what opportunities are there for the turbocharger market?
TO: Expanding on the previous question, I personally think that electric turbochargers or electric compound systems are essential in achieving high efficiency/high power density power unit.
Furthermore, I also see an opportunity within hydrogen fuel cells, since these require the use of an air pump. I think future turbocharger development and market will expand into these directions.
Q: With the conference taking place online for the first time, what are you most looking forward to about the new format?
TO: Although time difference can be an issue for attendees outside the UK and EU, regular attending costs such as travel should become more affordable through the online format. Hence, I expect to see increasing number of online attendees and look forward to exchanging information with them.
Q: Which topics or speakers on the agenda are you looking forward to hearing at this year’s conference?
TO: I am especially interested in Ferrari’s keynote speaker, who is one of our current competitors in the F1 Championship.
I think the conference presents a unique opportunity for attendees to learn technical innovations from different Formula One constructors.
Q: Why is it so important for professionals to continue to attend this conference?
TO: To reiterate a previous answer, I think the combination of a hybrid- and high efficiency internal combustion engine, equipped with electric boosting system for exhaust heat recovery, is a future solution.
In parallel, fuel cells that utilize some air boosting mechanism can also be a future global CO2 reduction path. Further optimization of boosting technology will be key for those solutions.
I think that publications on latest technologies and technical discussions in conferences like these are effective and valuable avenues for engineers to move closer towards achieving this goal.
Therefore, I believe in the importance of having professionals attend this conference and be able to experience the latest developments first-hand.
The 14th International Conference on Turbochargers and Turbocharging takes place online on 11-12 May 2021.
The Institution’s world-leading Conference returns live and online in 2021 and will address current and novel turbocharging system choices and components with a renewed emphasis to address the challenges posed by emission regulations and market trends.
For more information, full programme and to book your place to get involved, please visit the event website.