Launch · Mobility & Logistics
Vimag Labs aims to eliminate rare-earth magnets from electric motors
By Startup Enthusiast ·
- Date
- Company
- Vimag Labs
- What it does
- Electric motor innovation using virtual magnets
- Kind
- Launch
- Based in
- Bengaluru
- Founded
- 2023
- Sector
- Mobility & Logistics
What they do
Vimag Labs is a Bengaluru-based deeptech startup working on electric motor technology that replaces rare-earth magnets with software-defined control systems
What happened
The company spun out in 2023 after developing a technology called 'virtual magnets' that mimics the function of physical magnets using electromagnetic control
Why it matters
Vimag's approach allows motors to operate like permanent magnet synchronous motors without relying on rare-earth materials, which are mostly sourced from China
The details
- Vimag Labs is a Bengaluru-based deeptech startup working on electric motor technology that replaces rare-earth magnets with software-defined control systems.
- The company spun out in 2023 after developing a technology called 'virtual magnets' that mimics the function of physical magnets using electromagnetic control.
- Vimag's approach allows motors to operate like permanent magnet synchronous motors without relying on rare-earth materials, which are mostly sourced from China.
- The core idea is to generate magnetic fields dynamically using controlled electromagnetic energy, eliminating the need for physical magnets.
- Inside a Vimag motor, traditional rare-earth magnets are replaced by copper, silicon steel, proprietary power electronics, and real-time control algorithms.
- The system transfers energy wirelessly to the rotor core, inducing magnetic behaviour that mimics permanent magnets.
- Vimag's motors match and in many cases exceed the efficiency of conventional magnet-based systems, without relying on rare-earth materials.
- The technology uses software sensors to infer rotor position, current flow, torque demand, and electromagnetic states in real time.
The bigger picture
- The global electric motor industry relies heavily on rare-earth materials, which are mostly sourced from China, creating a structural vulnerability.
- Rare-earth processing is concentrated in China, leading to supply chain issues, geopolitical risks, and volatile input prices.
- Vimag Labs aims to eliminate this dependency by replacing physical magnets with software-defined control systems.
- The company's approach allows for dynamic tuning of torque curves and performance optimization based on load, temperature, or application.
- Vimag's motors can be updated over the air, turning them into programmable systems that adapt to changing conditions.
About the business
- Vimag Labs is focused on developing electric motor technology that replaces rare-earth magnets with software-defined control systems.
- The company's core technology uses copper, silicon steel, proprietary power electronics, and real-time control algorithms to mimic the function of physical magnets.
- Vimag's motors operate like permanent magnet synchronous motors but without the need for rare-earth materials.
- The technology uses software sensors to infer rotor position, current flow, torque demand, and electromagnetic states in real time.
- Vimag's approach allows for dynamic tuning of torque curves and performance optimization based on load, temperature, or application.
- The motors can be updated over the air, turning them into programmable systems that adapt to changing conditions.
The deal
- Type
- other
Founders
- Manish Seth, Founder
About Vimag Labs
- Product
- Software-defined, wirelessly excited electric motors engineered to function without rare-earth permanent magnets.
- Customers
- Electric vehicle manufacturers, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and industrial motor makers.
- How it makes money
- B2B hardware sales and intellectual property licensing of patented motor platforms to automotive OEMs.
- What sets it apart
- Patented wireless excitation architecture and virtual magnet control software bypassing neodymium rare-earth supply chains.
- Operations
- R&D and motor prototyping based in Bengaluru.
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