Reading’s PTC helps YCOM make motorsport micromobility breakthrough

Global motorsports engineering firm YCOM has released a revolutionary electric racing scooter with the help of software from Berkshire-based PTC.

The Reading company’s Windchill PLM (product lifecycle management) software played a key part in development of the eSkootr S1-X, which can reach speeds of up to 62mph.

Windchill enabled YCOM’s designers and engineers spread across the world to work with real-time data while building the scooter, allowing for a rapid six-month process from initial design to production of several dozen vehicles for real-world testing.

Dario Scalzotto, who managed the eSkootr S1-X project on behalf of YCOM, said: “PLM is essential to manage any project in a structured way, and Windchill demonstrated all its key features in helping us manage this project.

“We were faced with a blank sheet of paper, where everything had to be written from scratch.

“Developing something that would take shape little by little – driven by feedback that would come from the vehicle testers – was on the one hand exciting, on the other hand very challenging.

“Arriving at what would eventually become the bill of material (BOM) list for the production vehicle was critical, and Windchill was instrumental in this.”

PTC’s Windchill proved flexible in its integration, said YCOM, seamlessly interfacing with third-party software – particularly a CAD system and ERP software already used by the company.

This allowed for the possibility of exchanging 3D multipart BOMs and product documentation with them in a way that could be customised according to specific needs.

Elliot Clarke, UKi director at PTC, added: “YCOM always seeks the highest performance, using the motorsport approach as a solid base to accelerate the development of mobility projects.

“It’s a sensible notion when you consider how competition vehicles often offer the space to be a great laboratory in terms of values and innovation.

“We’re proud to have supported YCOM in its daily work and contributed to the global innovator pushing the boundaries of innovation when bringing motorsport and micro mobility together.”