Motivo Mobility
The partner you trust for designing complex subsystems, like power systems, drive-by-wire, and novel mechanisms, to building & integrating fully functional vehicle prototypes that drive mobility forward.
Our experience spans the full spectrum, from one wheel to eighteen (plus things that fly, float, and farm).
From Clean Sheet to First Drive
Building a robust, production-intent "works like, looks like" vehicle for a key milestone like CES or an investor demo presents a unique set of high-stakes challenges. Success requires more than just novel ideas; it demands the seamless integration of countless subsystems, all while under immense pressure to deliver on time and on budget. For a lean startup, orchestrating this level of multi-disciplinary engineering is a monumental task, while enterprises struggle to be agile and innovative in their development approach.
This is where Motivo's motorsports DNA provides a decisive advantage. We thrive on aggressive timelines and treat your milestones as our own non-negotiable deadlines. When the green flag drops, you've got to be ready to go at 100%, no final touches. And it's not only about the start; reliability is key to making it to the checkered flag. This race-day discipline infuses our entire process with systems-level thinking, ensuring robust and reliable performance when it matters most.
We engage where you need us most. Bring us a defined subsystem or just a high-level goal; we excel at navigating ambiguity to define a clear scope and path forward. We then enable a parallel path development approach, taking full ownership of that workstream, from design and engineering through integration and testing.
This partnership is founded on deep collaboration and transparency, with constant insight and knowledge transfer back to your team. Our role is to be your dedicated hardware partner, allowing your core team to focus on its unique IP, whether that's the autonomy software, a novel vehicle architecture, or a proprietary hydrogen fuel cell system. By entrusting us with physical vehicle integration, you scale your capabilities instantly and get to a tangible, scalable result faster.
End-to-End Product Realization
Invested in Your
Success
Integrated Design
& In-House Build
Holistic Systems
Approach
We guide projects through the complete development lifecycle. From early 'what if' ideation sessions to engineering a functional prototype, and finally, optimizing the design for manufacturing (DFM) and introducing you to trusted production partners.
Our partnership means we take ownership of scope on your behalf, always balancing the short-term wins needed for a key milestone with the smart engineering decisions that support your long-term business goals. Our process is built to make Motivo feel like an extension of your own team.
Our process unites award-winning industrial design with deep, hands-on engineering. We don't just create beautiful renderings; we build and assemble the complex hardware in our own facility, carrying your design intent through to a tangible, physical reality.
We solve problems at the systems level. Our expertise is orchestrating the complex interplay between mechanical, electrical, and software systems to deliver a single, cohesive, and reliable vehicle, not just a collection of parts.
Our Mobility Capabilities
We offer full-stack support or can plug into specific areas of your development pipeline.
System Architecture & Requirements Definition
We define the complete architecture for your vehicle, considering the interplay of power, data, hydraulics, pneumatics, and more. Our process matures requirements into technical specifications and builds development roadmaps using stage-gate phases to guide your program. This crucial first step de-risks the entire project and allows an aggressive pace in future phases.
Advanced Mechanical & Mechanism Design
We solve complex mechanical challenges, from designing custom gearboxes and hydraulic manifolds to developing novel mechanisms like an expanding truck bed. We specialize in systems that push the boundaries of what's possible, for example: rapidly iterating on high-performance vehicle frames using 3D printed metals and composites.
Electrification &
Custom Power Systems
We are experts in the complexity and safety of high-voltage systems. Our team designs and integrates the entire power distribution backbone, from custom battery packs and BMS devices to high-voltage harnesses and power electronics, with a focus on reliable systems that integrate smoothly with new or existing vehicle architecture & communication systems like CAN, LIN, CCS PLC, etc.
High-Fidelity Prototypes & Demonstrators
We build high-fidelity prototypes and technology demonstrators that serve as both engineering validation tools and powerful marketing assets. Our expertise lies in creating vehicles that are not only visually stunning for events like CES, but are also engineered with the rigor and documentation required for a clear path to production.
Drive-by-Wire (DbW) & Autonomous Systems
We design and implement robust drive-by-wire and tele-op systems for any chassis, from micromobility to heavy-duty articulated dump trucks. We are experts at creating the full interface between the software and the vehicle, from selecting and mounting the sensor & actuator suite to developing the vehicle-side controllers and integrating the compute hardware.
Fabrication, Testing & Validation
Our in-house fabrication capabilities bring designs to life, from one-off components & mules to low-volume vehicle builds. With production-grade machines from Trumpf, we are able to scale with you. Additionally, we develop and fabricate custom test systems and execute rigorous validation plans to ensure every component is ready for real-world use.
Delivering Under Pressure
Developing a robust, manufacturable integration kit for high-power wireless vehicle charging technology
The Challenge:
WiTricity, a pioneer in wireless charging, had a proven power transfer system that existed as a proof-of-concept. They needed a partner to augment it with a compact and robust integration kit that could be installed on popular OEM vehicles without direct OEM support, all while being simple enough for a dealership to install.
The Motivo Solution:
Motivo engineered a comprehensive solution, reverse-engineering the vehicle's charging protocols to allow the wireless system to communicate with the car. We designed custom enclosures and mounting hardware without OEM CAD data and supported a fleet of 50+ integrated vehicles. The result was a fully documented, production-ready kit that equipped WiTricity to confidently approach OEM partners.
Key Services Provided:
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Electrification & Custom Power Systems
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Advanced Mechanical & Mechanism Design
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Fabrication, Testing & Validation
WiTricity Wireless EV Charging
Who We Work With
We have supported startups and enterprise players alike.
The Motivo Partnership Advantage
For Founders, CTOs & Product Leaders
Instantly add the engineering firepower you need. A team that matches your passion with an obsessive attention to detail and a focus on hitting critical milestones and building the hardware that closes your next fundraise. Scale faster than you can hire, without the long-term overhead, and retain 100% of the intellectual property.
For VPs of Engineering & Special Projects Directors
Delegate your most complex systems integration challenge with confidence. We take full ownership of the workstream, architecture to validation, balancing the need for immediate wins with the foresight for a scalable production path. Our transparent process includes continuous knowledge transfer, making us a true extension of your team that strengthens your capabilities for the future.
For Programmatic &
Supply Chain Leads
Rely on a partner with a motorsports-grade commitment to hitting non-negotiable deadlines. We help you burn down program risk with a transparent process designed to support your project on its way to production, from a single prototype to a scalable product. We are also the team you call for 'rescue engineering' when another vendor is falling behind.