Sweden's Gotlandsbolaget Orders Construction of Climate-Neutral Ferry and BMW Unveils "Heart of Joy" System for Electric Vehicles

Two major design innovations are emerging in transportation. First, Sweden's Gotlandsbolaget has commissioned the construction of a next-generation, high-speed ferry designed for climate-neutral travel. Developed in collaboration with Austal, the 130-meter "Horizon X" ferry will feature a multi-fuel propulsion system capable of running on hydrogen and other alternative fuels. The design prioritizes energy efficiency through optimized hull design and reduced weight. The ferry can carry 1,500 passengers and 400 cars at speeds up to 29 knots.

Simultaneously, BMW is developing a new "Heart of Joy" system for its next-generation electric vehicles. This central control unit, to be featured in the "Neue Klasse" models, enhances driving dynamics by processing data ten times faster than current systems. It integrates drive and driving dynamics functions, enabling faster acceleration, braking, and vehicle stabilization. BMW's test vehicle, boasting 1,000 horsepower and 18,000 Newton meters of torque, serves as a platform for refining this technology. The "Heart of Joy" also improves energy efficiency by up to 25 percent, primarily through regenerative braking.