Australian battery specialist charges James Cameron’s Deepsea Challenge

A CALL ‘out of the blue’ from revered Hollywood movie director James Cameron resulted in Australian battery system specialists Tritium helping achieve a technological milestone into ‘the deep blue’.

James Kennedy, engineering director at Brisbane-based Tritium – a designer and supplier of powertrain systems for electric vehicles and creator of the award-winning Veefil Electric Vehicle Fast Charger – ended up using his specialist knowledge on battery management systems to play a vital role in expedition to make the deepest solo dive in history, reaching 11km below the surface of the Pacific Ocean. 

The initial phone call requesting Mr Kennedy’s services for one day to solve a battery management system problem on the secretive project resulted in him spending four months as an integral part of the crew on Mr Cameron’s most ambitious project so far – the first solo dive to the deepest part of the ocean, the Mariana Trench in the Pacific Ocean.

The director of films such as Terminator, Aliens, Titanic and Avatar assembled a team of innovative people to help design and build an 8m-long submersible that would descend 11km below the surface to discover what Mr Cameron described as ‘the last great frontier on earth’.

“The call came just a few weeks before the submarine was due in the water,” Tritium’s James Kennedy said.

“The team had hit a problem with the battery management system and Tritium had been recommended to them because of our specialist knowledge and the bespoke work we’ve carried out for many years, providing Solar Racing powertrain solutions to teams around the world.

“These solar projects actually had a great similarity to the Deepsea Challenger scenario in that you are going into an extremely difficult environment, with major technology risks, and once the attempt is underway, your only support is what you have with you. 

“The whole of the sub was electric, so if the battery management system failed, then nothing would work and James’ life would be at risk,” Mr Kennedy said.

“Deepsea Challenger was designed and built in Australia by a remarkable team of people and I am enormously proud to have played a small part in its success.”

The National Geographic-backed Deepsea Challenger 3D, on general release in Australian cinemas from August 21, documents the director’s often-harrowing journey to make the deepest solo dive in history, an expedition that included several false starts, rough seas and the tragic loss of two crew members in a helicopter accident.

Mr Kennedy’s unique skill set was tested to the limit, calling on his more than 10 years experience in specialised embedded electronics design and manufacturing. Mr Kennedy has been a key member of the Tritium executive team since helping found the company in 2001 and has directed engineering operations since 2005.

Brisbane-based Tritium produces high-quality and innovative power electronic components for electric vehicle systems. Mr Kennedy said the company has been able to build a strong portfolio of novel and industry-leading products that showcases its strengths in creative thinking and cutting-edge engineering. 

In May 2013, Tritium launched the award-winning Veefil, the culmination of 10 years of technological development by the company. It is the only electric vehicle fast charger to be designed and manufactured in Australia and it is rapidly developing premium export markets.

Mr Kennedy attended the world premiere of James Cameron’s Deepsea Challenger 3D in Sydney as a special guest on August 8.

www.tritium.com.au

 

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