Enabling the "Next-Generation In-Cabin Experience" - ClearMotion CEO, Christian Steinmann

ClearMotion, a global software-defined chassis company, has developed technology that helps reduce motion sickness and can increase productivity for passengers. It can even reduce the impact of potholes on vehicles.

"ClearMotion enables a next-generation in-cabin experience. The company’s proactive suspension system combines software and hardware to mitigate vehicle movement across uneven road surfaces," says Christian Steinmann, ClearMotion's CEO.

It was founded in 2012 out of Massachusetts Institute of Technlogy (MIT), and is based in the area of Boston, Massachusetts. Since then, it has expanded its operation into the UK as a vehicle integration and software development centre, and Changshu, China, as its production and supply chain hub.

"With this setup, ClearMotion benefits from the regional benefits of Boston’s innovation and entrepreneurship, the UK’s automotive engineering execution and the speed and efficiency of our China hub’s manufacturing and supply chain management," he says.

Historically, car suspension systems are mostly passive, semi-active systems. The ClearMotion1 technology is an active suspension that can push and pull the wheels and deliver improved levels of comfort, handling, and safety.

"When it comes to motion elimination, ClearMotion does for motion what noise-canceling headphones do for sound. ClearMotion puts the car back in control by adjusting the vehicle to the road surface so the driver and passengers experience a smooth ride."

RoadMotion is its road surface fingerprinting software for proactive chassis control. The technologies work together to optimise safety, performance, and comfort using machine learning to crowdsource road surface data that enables a vehicle to anticipate road conditions ahead and make proactive decisions.

"With the rise of ride-sharing services and autonomous vehicles, passengers no longer have to worry about focusing on the road ahead. People will be able to maximize their productivity and comfort while on the go. ClearMotion is paving the way for a future where in-car time is no longer wasted, but rather a valuable piece of our lives," Steinmann explains. 

Going Global

ClearMotion and Porsche AG. recently signed an agreement to collaborate in the field of advanced chassis systems.

"The two companies will collaborate on both ClearMotion1, a high-bandwidth active suspension technology, and RoadMotion, a road surface fingerprinting software for proactive chassis control. The agreement offers the potential for Porsche to improve its already famously high-performing chassis further," says Steinmann.

This agreement marks ClearMotion's first public announcement with a European-based OEM. 

"Our strategy is to build in the region, for the region and as we expand globally, we will similarly make logical business decisions about expanding our manufacturing to specific regions. Ultimately, we look to bring our technology to other markets, including the UK."

In 2023, the company announced it had raised $35 million. Investors in previous funding rounds have included Qualcomm Ventures and J.P. Morgan Asset Management.

"NIO, the global leader in electric vehicle technology has announced that they are using our active suspension ClearMotion1 in their flagship vehicle, the ET9. Production starts in Q1 of 2025 and we are now in the industrialization phase in our newly opened manufacturing plant in Changshu, China. Additionally, we are executing the project with Porsche and on top of that we are scaling the business with other global OEMs," he says.

Improving The Passenger Experience

Looking to the future, ClearMotion's technology may be utilised by developers of driverless transport.

"Level 3 autonomy promises hands and eyes-free driving. If we achieve this possibility in a vehicle, the question becomes – how can you make that time productive and how can we give people back that time they spent in transit?" says Steinmann.

"As the industry continues to push toward autonomous vehicles, our technology will become even more relevant because time back in the car will be able to be used to work on a laptop, read or watch a movie – whatever you need on your way to your next destination. And it will be able to be done while reducing motion sickness."

Finally, we asked Steinmann for his thoughts on what mobility will look like by 2030.

"The future of the industry will be shifting a lot more towards the passenger experience. It’s going to be more and more about delivering a comfortable, safe and productive experience. It will happen much like the advancement of aeroplane travel. For example, the first aeroplanes were very turbulent when flying through weather and it was considered a very niche way of traveling at the time," he predicts.

"Later, when the first pressurized cabin airliner was introduced, it transformed the experience of air travel and unlocked a new era of passenger flight for consumers. We want the experience behind the wheel to be just as enjoyable and productive as aeroplane travel. One where you can watch a movie and get work done during your time in-cabin," concludes Steinmann.