Predicting Bumps, Reacting to Bumps - or not.

Ah, the world of automotive suspensions—a realm where engineers have long battled the forces of physics to keep our rides smoother than a jazz saxophonist on a Saturday night. Buckle up as we embark on a rollicking journey through the evolution of suspension systems, from their bumpy beginnings to the cutting-edge marvels gracing today’s chariots across China, Europe, and the United States.

1. A Bumpy Ride Through History: The Evolution of Suspension Systems

Our tale begins in the days when “horsepower” involved actual horses, and the term “smooth ride” was as mythical as unicorns.

• Robert Hooke (1635–1703): This 17th-century genius formulated Hooke’s Law, explaining how springs stretch in proportion to the force applied. Little did he know, his work would become the backbone (or should we say, leaf spring?) of future suspension designs.

• Obadiah Elliott (circa 1804): Patented the elliptical leaf spring, enhancing the comfort of horse-drawn carriages and early automobiles. His innovation made journeys less like riding a wooden roller coaster and more like, well, riding a slightly better wooden roller coaster.

• Paul Magès (1908–1999): Working for Citroën, Magès developed the hydropneumatic suspension system in the 1950s, replacing traditional springs with a combination of hydraulic fluid and gas. This system provided a ride so smooth it felt like gliding on a magic carpet.

• Sidney Horstmann (1881–1962): A British engineer who, in the 1920s, developed a coil spring suspension system, influencing both military and automotive designs. His work ensured that tanks and cars alike could handle bumps without launching their occupants into orbit.

• J.G. Parry-Thomas (1884–1927): Designed the Leyland Eight in 1920, featuring an early form of torsion bar suspension. This innovation allowed vehicles to twist and shout less on rough terrains.

2. Crossing over from History to the Future

Bose’s Pioneering Electromagnetic Suspension

In the 1980s, Bose Corporation, renowned for its audio equipment, ventured into automotive technology under the leadership of Dr. Amar Bose. They developed an electromagnetic suspension system designed to deliver an exceptionally smooth ride by using linear electromagnetic motors to manage wheel movement proactively. Despite its technical brilliance, challenges related to weight and cost prevented its commercial adoption at the time.

Emergence of ClearMotion

In 2009, a group of MIT graduates founded ClearMotion with the ambition to revolutionize vehicle dynamics through advanced suspension technology. Their vision was to create a proactive ride system capable of anticipating and reacting to road conditions in real-time, enhancing passenger comfort and vehicle performance.

Acquisition of Bose’s Suspension Technology

In 2017, ClearMotion acquired Bose’s active motion control business, including the pioneering electromagnetic suspension technology. This acquisition provided ClearMotion with a robust foundation to further develop and commercialize proactive suspension systems, integrating Bose’s innovations with their own advancements.

Collaboration with NIO

By 2023, ClearMotion’s efforts culminated in a landmark production order from NIO, a leading Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer. NIO integrated ClearMotion’s active suspension technology into its flagship ET9 model, aiming to deliver unparalleled ride comfort and handling. This partnership marked a significant step in bringing advanced suspension systems to mass-market electric vehicles.

3. Smooth Operators: Cutting-Edge Suspension Systems in 2025

Fast forward to 2025, and the suspension scene is buzzing with innovations that make potholes feel like mere pebbles. Let’s take a scenic drive through the latest and greatest in Chinese, European, and American vehicles.

Chinese Innovations: Leaping Over the Competition

• NIO’s SkyRide Intelligent Chassis System: NIO’s ET9 sedan boasts the world’s first drive-by-wire chassis with full active suspension, steer-by-wire technology, and rear-wheel steering. It’s like the car took a yoga class and can now bend and flex with unparalleled grace.

• BYD’s DiSus-X Intelligent Suspension: BYD’s Yangwang U9 supercar features a suspension system so advanced it can make the car “jump” over obstacles. Yes, you read that right—this car can hop over potholes like a kangaroo on a trampoline.

European Elegance: The Art of Smooth Sailing

• Mercedes-Benz’s Adaptive Damping System: The 2025 Mercedes-Benz CLA comes equipped with a suspension that allows drivers to choose between maximum agility and high damping comfort. It’s like having a butler who adjusts your seat just the way you like it, but for your entire car.

• Porsche’s Active Suspension Management (PASM): This system continuously adjusts the damping force on each wheel, ensuring that your Porsche hugs the road tighter than a long-lost friend. It’s the kind of embrace that makes every twist and turn a joyride.

American Ingenuity: Riding High on Innovation

• Cadillac’s Adaptive Air Ride Suspension: The 2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ features a suspension system that can lower the vehicle by up to 2 inches or raise it by 1 inch. Whether you’re aiming for aerodynamic efficiency or need extra clearance for that unexpected off-road detour, this system has you covered.

• Tesla’s Smart Air Suspension: Tesla’s Model S offers a suspension that adjusts the vehicle’s height based on road conditions and driver preferences. It’s like the car has a sixth sense, anticipating bumps and dips to keep your ride as smooth as a jazz melody.

Conclusion: The Road Ahead

From the rudimentary leaf springs of yesteryears to today’s AI-driven adaptive systems, the journey of automotive suspensions reflects a relentless pursuit of comfort and performance. As we steer into the future, one thing’s certain: the ride will only get smoother, and perhaps, just perhaps, your coffee will stay safely in its cup.

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The posts that triggered this

1️⃣Who was betting on suspension as an area of interesting innovation ?

➡️ NIO vs BMW Group vs AUDI AG

➡️ Technical details on the US technology from ClearMotion NIO uses (BIG thank you Johannes Schneider) in comments below / end of the post.

➡️ Similar video by Porsche AG https://lnkd.in/dkhE2y69

📝 Notes

- it would be interesting to see a detailed technical test with KNOWN suspension parameter settings.

- video with background on the NIO system with Herbert Diess https://lnkd.in/dtBXdD8F or https://lnkd.in/dfFqa4mX

- video on the NIO ET9 reaction to a double tire puncture while driving https://lnkd.in/dAWETu5y

- Since so many mentioned it - Bose Automotive on video 9 years ago: https://lnkd.in/dw9fDucB. Bose pioneered fully active suspension in the 2000s using electromagnetic actuators—highly precise but never commercialized. NIO’s SkyRide uses hydraulic-electric tech with AI, now in production (ET9). Bose’s system was too heavy and power-hungry. NIO’s system is efficient and production-ready. Bose stayed experimental. NIO leads in real-world deployment. German brands remain focused on semi-active solutions.

- historic Citroën, Audi, Mercedes-Benz AG footage - watch from minute 5 onwards https://lnkd.in/dNzxMUrT

- Facts: the NIO ET9’s SkyRide system distinguishes itself with its rapid response time and the integration of hydraulic fully active suspension. The AI in NIO’s SkyRide suspension uses camera, LiDAR, and sensor data to detect road conditions ahead. It runs predictive algorithms to adjust the suspension before the vehicle reaches bumps or uneven surfaces. The AI fuses both predictive and reactive data to optimize comfort and stability dynamically. Over time, the system may also learn from driving patterns to improve responsiveness further.

- If you want impressive performance of European brands I can recommend this one - take a JLR defender off-road / close to unbelievable - https://lnkd.in/d2musTeT

- This is an innovation post - not a China post ! Korea and Japan have taught us similar lessons in the past. On China - https://lnkd.in/dWHBN4VJ

- Form your own view on the ET9 https://lnkd.in/d_W9TVUH

From Johannes Schneider

- Wired feature (2018) https://lnkd.in/d-f9MHMV

- System evolution demo (~2014–2019) https://lnkd.in/dd8VgYDD

- China plant construction (2023) https://lnkd.in/djeHmMac

- ET9 supplier confirmation (2023) https://lnkd.in/dZHkx8pi

- NIO Capital investment (2022) https://lnkd.in/dP3EMdmk

- Porsche partnership (2024) https://lnkd.in/dAtCxmF9

- Bose tech acquisition (2017) https://lnkd.in/dqpWrCkX

- MIT origin story (2009) https://lnkd.in/dVKuCxDt

From https://lnkd.in/dtqwZ3sQ

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2️⃣ A story of innovation and collaboration 🍾, and champagne 🥂

➡️ Bose Automotive develops a “noise” or bump-cancelling suspension decades ago https://lnkd.in/dAYkuAwQ

➡️ 13 years ago a vision is created for a startup https://lnkd.in/daAwBsUd

➡️ The startup, ClearMotion, acquires the Bose technology https://lnkd.in/d8xxax2d

➡️ NIO chooses ClearMotion as supplier for its ET9 (2023) https://lnkd.in/dZHkx8pi

➡️ Porsche AG becomes interested in ClearMotion - 2024 https://lnkd.in/dAtCxmF9

➡️ NIO celebrates by not spilling 🥂 with Herbert Diess or https://lnkd.in/dfFqa4mX and showing how the suspension handles a double tire puncture while driving https://lnkd.in/dAWETu5y

Original post: https://lnkd.in/d6zjS47N