Mazda to Continue Work With Secondmind, Sees Advances in Machine Learning

Mazda will be extending its partnership with the Cambridge-based company Secondmind. Founded in 2016, Secondmind has been working alongside Mazda in a multi-year research and development collaboration. The focus has been on advanced hybrid and electric powertrain control systems, something Mazda is hoping to get right in order to increase its EV effectiveness. Mazda recently launched its all-electric MX-30 and though it was well-received, many had issues about the minimal battery range. Mazda has been busy updating its SUV line, but this partnership will serve as a great takeoff point for the Japanese automaker. We’ll dive in further and see just how impactful Mazda believes Secondmind to be to their operations.

Mazda Continues Partnership with Secondmind

Mazda will be extending its partnership with the Cambridge-based company Secondmind. Founded in 2016, Secondmind specializes in machine learning research and development. Mazda is hoping this continued collaboration will allow it to improve its hybrid and electric control systems as well as its SKYACTIV powertrain. Mazda wants to improve its ability to calibrate electrical control units or ECUs. These control the automaker’s SKYACTIV engine technology so for Mazda, it is imperative to perfect the technology. That’s where Secondmind comes in.

Mazda is hoping that with Secondmind’s help, it can double the efficiency of its conventional engine calibration process. Mazda is known for its model-based design, specifically its KODO design process. Together with Secondmind, Mazda hopes to better manage the tighter emission regulations being laid out by governments around the world. As countries attempt to combat the global climate crisis, a large part of the responsibility has fallen toward automakers. This means automakers must ensure their vehicles produce fewer carbon emissions or none at all. About their continued collaboration, Mazda Executive Officer Eiji Nakai said,

“Secondmind’s unique active learning technology will enable us to automate the engine calibration process and we expect to more than double efficiency in this area.”

Together, Mazda and Secondmind hope to cut engine calibration time by about 50%. They also hope to reduce data acquisition and processing costs for materials. The effects of this will result in more efficient and environmentally-friendly vehicles. Mazda has a bit of catching up to do in the EV sphere, but with this continued partnership along with the arrival of hybrid powertrains, they should be able to better navigate the sector. Mazda’s SUVs have been some of the most popular as of late. The potential for an electric SUV from the Japanese automaker would certainly raise its stakes in the EV sector. For now, we’ll be watching Mazda closely.

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Photo Credit: Mazda