The variety of transmissions available in the market today is continuing to grow exponentially within the last 15 years, all while increasing in complexity. The effect is definitely that we are now dealing with a varied number of transmission types including manual, typical automatic, automated manual, dual clutch, continually variable, split power and natural EV.
Until extremely recently, automotive vehicle manufacturers largely had two types of tranny to choose from: planetary automated with torque converter or conventional manual. Today, nevertheless, the volume of choices available demonstrates the changes seen over the industry.
That is also illustrated by the many different types of vehicles now being produced for the marketplace. And not simply conventional vehicles, but also all electric and hybrid automobiles, with each type requiring different driveline architectures.
The traditional advancement process involved designing a transmission in isolation from the engine and the rest of the powertrain and vehicle. However, that is changing, with the limitations and complications of this method becoming more more popular, and the continuous drive among producers and designers to deliver optimal efficiency at reduced weight and cost.
New powertrains feature close integration of components like the primary mover, recovery systems and the gearbox, and in addition rely on highly advanced control systems. That is to guarantee that the best degree of efficiency and performance is delivered all the time. Manufacturers are under increased pressure to create powertrains that are completely new, different from and much better than the last version-a proposition that’s made more technical by the necessity to integrate brand elements, differentiate within the marketplace and 
do it all on a shorter timescale. Engineering groups are on deadline, and the advancement process must be more efficient and fast-paced than previously.
Until now, the utilization of computer-aided engineering (CAE) has been the most typical way to develop drivelines. This technique involves elements and subsystems designed in isolation by silos within the business that lean toward confirmed component-level analysis equipment. While these are highly advanced tools that allow users to extract very dependable and accurate data, they are still presenting data that’s collected without consideration of the complete system.
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