1950s: The origins of Conekt date to the mid-1950's when it was established as the Lucas Group Research Centre, providing corporately funded Research and Development services for Lucas Industries.
1964: The operation moved to the current site, in Shirley, Solihull. UK, occupying a purpose built R&D centre building, later becoming the Technical Centre.
1992: The capabilities of the Technical Centre were extended by the incorporation of the long established Lucas Proving Laboratory and the transfer of these facilities to the Shirley site. The addition of these extensive facilities enabled Conekt to offer engineering services related to the whole of the product development pipeline, from concept design to product proving and launch. Conekt has since developed this area to provide a world class, UKAS ISO 17025 accredited, test and validation facility in the areas of climatics, vibration, mechanical test and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC).
1996: Lucas merged with the Varity Corporation to form LucasVarity. At this time the Technical Centre transformed from a largely corporately funded R&D centre to a wholly contract funded engineering consultancy business.
1999: LucasVarity was purchased by TRW Automotive.
2001: The Technical Centre launched itself as Conekt to promote its capability in Consultancy, Engineering, Knowledge and Technology to the external marketplace. Conekt also extended its capability to include a whole vehicle and component EMC test facility in Livonia, Michigan, USA.
2005: Conekt made significant investments in its test and validation facility, including the introduction of lightning test facilities in order to expand testing capabilities in the aerospace industry.
2006: Conekt invested further to expand the electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) services available at its Solihull facility, with the purchase of a high intensity radiated field (HIRF) test system. Conekt also opened an office in Shanghai, China.
Client successes with Conekt:
In the 1960's we pioneered the introduction of silicon semiconductor devices into the automotive industry. We led a major programme on Electric Vehicles and invented the concept of digitally mapped electronic fuelling and ignition, now universally employed in today's passenger cars to meet fuel economy and emissions requirements. Through to the 1970's the company developed concepts as diverse as the first electronic heart pacemaker, aerospace gas turbine engine electronic controls and automotive radar headway warning and control systems.
Further leading edge activities have included electronic transmission controls, fibre optic multiplex wiring systems, driver interface systems, advanced vehicle electrical systems including 42 volt systems and the development of Electric Power Steering concepts.
More recent developments include Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning and Lane Guidance Systems using sophisticated video and image processing techniques; and advanced chassis controls such as Integrated Vehicle Control Systems which optimise vehicle dynamic performance by providing interactive control of braking, steering and other sub-systems.
