Modal Motors is trying to cut China out of electric motors entirely
The startup is working on small, light motors with no rare-earth magnets that are suited for drones, fans, and robots.
Modal Motors, a startup founded by Michael Van Steenburg, is attempting to eliminate China from the electric motor industry by eliminating rare-earth magnets from their products. Van Steenburg has spent the last decade manufacturing electric motors in the United States and North America. His current focus is on developing motors that are free from reliance on rare-earth magnets to reduce dependence on China's supply chain.
He argues that other companies attempting to establish electric motor manufacturing and supply chains in the U.S. are making a mistake by continuing to rely on rare-earth magnets. These companies are merely replicating Chinese motors in the U.S., hoping that the domestic rare-earth magnet system will catch up soon enough. Modal Motors is working on two products for the TechCrunch Disrupt competition.
One is a small electric motor for drones, fans, blowers, and actuators, designed to minimize mass while maximizing torque density and efficiency. The other is the "Hybrid Enigma Drive," a planar electric motor that can fit into lower-profile spaces. Van Steenburg draws on his experience in the automotive industry to develop these motors and prepare them for customers.
Interestingly, Van Steenburg has a history of working on hybrid gas-electric drivetrains for China, a country he sees monopolizing the rare-earth supply chain.
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