Developing the Hyperdrive Technology

Paice was established in 1992 to further develop Dr. Alex Severinksy’s concepts related to hybrid vehicle technology. Early development efforts involved carefully reviewing existing hybrid concepts and pinpointing obstacles that had prevented the adoption of hybrid vehicle technology. Paice engineers evaluated alternative methodologies in hopes of making hybrid technology more affordable and fuel efficient.

That work led to Paice’s first patent — a hybrid system with a microprocessor that receives control inputs and uses that information to determine whether the internal combustion engine, the electric motor, or both should provide torque to the wheels. It also describes a system that includes a powerful electric motor that is provided with energy from a battery at high voltage and low current to dramatically increase the efficiency and performance of the system.

Proving the Technology

Soon after its first patent was granted in 1994, Paice set out to prove the viability of its hybrid concepts and commercialize its technology through licensing arrangements and joint ventures with original equipment manufacturers, suppliers, and specialty manufacturing companies.  The company attracted investors such as the Abell Foundation and began developing a complete working prototype of a powertrain system with necessary controls.

Paice built a team of engineering and automotive experts who specialized in controls, motors, energy storage, emissions, power electronics, systems integration and other critical areas. The team defined hardware and system controls, calculated and wrote algorithms, and began the complex process of building a prototype.  During the development, Paice hired Lockheed Martin Control Systems to assist the company with a critique of the system definition.

Once a prototype was developed, Paice hired Roush Industries to perform tests and measurements of the system on a dynamometer in an EPA-certified lab. Paice carefully analyzed the prototype’s performance under a range of parameters during a year-long testing process and continued to refine its technology.  The company built on its initial hybrid vehicle concepts and was later awarded 10 additional patents related to hybrid vehicle technology.

Bringing Paice Technology to the Marketplace

Paice demonstrated its prototype of the Paice technology in 1999-2000, proving that it could effectively reduce the gas consumption of a Cadillac Coup de Ville by nearly 50% and retain its driving performance.

The prototype was used to identify the significant fuel economy improvements and emissions reductions that are possible in various vehicle types and sizes with Paice’s technology.

Following its successful demonstration, Paice spent years showing automakers how the Paice method of control could help them produce cost-effective, fuel efficient hybrid vehicles. It met with automotive companies around the world to highlight its prototype test results and the value of Paice’s technology. It met with key automotive suppliers to discuss the growing need for hybrid-related components. And it attended industry events hosted by the Center for Automotive Research, the Society of Automobile Engineers and others to present its hybrid concepts.

As a recognized leader in hybrid vehicle technology, Paice was twice called to testify before committees in the US Senate and the US House of Representatives.

While Paice explored a range of partnership agreeements, it continued developing new hybrid concepts to improve the Hyperdrive systems.  The company now owns 11 U.S. patents related to hybrid vehicles, including four of the most dominant hybrid patents in the world.

Paice currently has licensing agreements with Toyota and Ford, two of the world’s largest automakers, and is prepared to license its Hyperdrive technology to other automakers that would benefit from the Paice method of control.

Paice Today

Under the leadership of CEO Robert Oswald, who brings 45 years of experience in the automotive industry, Paice continues to talk with potential automotive partners about the manufacture of vehicles based on its Hyperdrive system. In addition, Paice continues to conduct research to prove the viability of its technology and promote the use of hybrid technology by automobile manufacturers.