Magic suspension: abandoned project turned into solution for Chinese car

A revolution in the automotive sector, with roots in forgotten technology, comes to life through innovation and advances in suspensions, becoming a world reference.

A technology developed more than two decades ago, which seemed forgotten by time, has been reborn with full force and has become the secret behind the smoothness of one of the most sophisticated electric SUVs today.

The Nio ET9, a Chinese model valued at around US$110, went viral on social media for defying the laws of physics — or at least appearing to do so.

In videos that impress with their stability, the car goes over speed bumps and uneven surfaces with champagne glasses on the body, without a single drop being spilled.

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The origin of a visionary suspension

Inspired by the limitations of existing systems, such as Citroën's famous hydropneumatic system, Bose believed he could create something more efficient, lighter and with lower maintenance requirements.

Its proposal was to replace traditional hydraulic and pneumatic systems with a set of electromechanical actuators, capable of responding in real time to track imperfections.

The Bose system used electric motors mounted directly on the shock absorbers, controlled by complex algorithms that adjusted according to soil conditions.

The result was an incredibly smooth ride, something straight out of a science fiction movie.

However, despite the promising tests — a functional prototype was even installed in a Lexus LS 400 — the high cost and limitations of computing at the time prevented mass production.

Amar Bose himself was known for his extreme perfectionism, which further delayed the commercialization of the technology.

It took five years just to refine the equations that controlled the system.

According to the engineer himself, several car manufacturers have shown interest — including Honda, Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar and even Ferrari — but none have reached a definitive agreement.

From limbo to rebirth

Around 2004, the project was officially shelved.

For years, it became almost an urban legend among automotive engineering enthusiasts.

However, in 2017, the story began to change with the arrival of the American startup ClearMotion.

Founded by former MIT engineers, the company saw commercial potential in Bose's suspension and purchased the rights to the technology, including patents, prototypes and software.

According to documents from the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), more than US$100 million in investments were raised to revive the project.

ClearMotion's approach was different: they simplified the mechanics and relied on advances in embedded computing to make the system more accessible and reliable.

This bet paid off.

In 2023, Nio — a Chinese automaker known for its commitment to high-performance electric vehicles — signed a multi-million dollar deal with ClearMotion.

The agreement provided for the installation of the technology in around 750 vehicles in the following years, including the sophisticated ET9.

The arrival of SkyRide

Renamed SkyRide, the system is now one of the big bets of the Chinese automotive industry.

Integrated with the Nio ET9's set of sensors and cameras, it makes thousands of adjustments per second on each wheel of the car, anticipating the terrain with the help of artificial intelligence.

The entire Nio fleet collaborates with this system, sending real-time data on the conditions of the roads on which it circulates.

Innovation goes beyond comfort.

SkyRide also includes additional functions that take advantage of its ability to individually move each part of the suspension.

Among the most interesting features are a “shake” mode to remove accumulated snow and an anti-motion sickness system, ideal for more sensitive passengers.

There's even a minigame that lets you control the tilt of the car using the movement of your phone.

Updates are made remotely, via the internet, allowing new features to be added over time, as is already the case with many latest-generation electric vehicles.

A revolution with forgotten roots

The revival of Bose's suspension not only puts Nio in the spotlight in the global market, but also reinforces the importance of revisiting projects that were considered unviable in the past.

With advances in technology, what was once impossible could become the next big industry trend.

This movement also shows how the China is increasingly betting on acquisition and improvement of Western technologies rather than simply copying them, as was common in the past.

The case of Nio and ClearMotion is a clear example of this change in strategy.

With the rise of technologies like SkyRide, the concept of a “flying carpet” may go from being a mere compliment to becoming a literal description of the driving experience.

And the most curious thing is that this became a reality not at the hands of a European or American giant, but through an unlikely union between an engineering startup and a Chinese automaker.

Have you ever imagined a car capable of anticipating potholes on the road and adjusting the suspension before even going over them? Leave your comment below and share your opinion about this revolution in the way of driving!

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Magic suspension: abandoned project becomes solution for Chinese car