F1 & car makers help develop ventilators to fight COVID-19
Mechanical engineers from the University College London (UCL) have already worked with Mercedes to develop a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device that has been approved by the NHS. The Mercedes-AMG High-performance Powertrains team created the device using designs for an existing CPAP machine – used to treat sleep apnoea – that was no longer patented.
Similar technology has already been used in Italy and China, and the device helps those with serious lung conditions to breathe more easily. The new device is predicted to complete its clinical trial by the end of the week. With the assistance of other F1 teams, Mercedes believes that they could product 1,000 ventilators a day with a week’s notice.
Rolls-Royce & McLaren answer the call
Luxury carmakers Rolls-Royce & McLaren have also been commissioned by the government as part of a consortium of UK business to manufacture 10,000 medical ventilators. Rolls-Royce is responsible for setting up a supply chain that will supply materials quickly to an assembly plant set up by GKN, whilst McLaren stated that they would aid with all aspects of production.
Craig Askew, Executive Vice President of control systems at Rolls-Royce, said: “Rolls-Royce has a crucial role to play in the fight against COVID-19.
“We are proud to be playing our part in a consortium dedicated to scaling up production of much-needed ventilators and will be focused on working at full-speed to provide devices which can help save lives. I would like to thank all my colleagues for rising to this challenge.”