ClearMotion

High-Level Overview

ClearMotion is a technology company specializing in software-defined chassis systems for the automotive industry, developing advanced active suspension technology to enhance ride comfort, handling, performance, and safety.[1][2][3][4] Its flagship product, ClearMotion1 (CM1), features the ActiValve—a proactive hardware system with actuators, controllers, and software that senses road disturbances in nanoseconds and counteracts them in real-time, replacing traditional shock absorbers while integrating lightweight, cost-effective components.[2][3][4][5] The company serves OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers, addressing the problem of unwanted vehicle motion on imperfect roads through on-car hardware and RoadMotion cloud software, which crowdsources high-definition road surface data for predictive adjustments.[1][2][4] With $351.33M raised, a recent $4M funding round, and a landmark production order from NIO in 2023, ClearMotion demonstrates strong growth momentum toward commercialization.[1][3]

Origin Story

ClearMotion was founded in 2009 by MIT graduates Shakeel Avadhany and Zack Anderson, initially as Levant Power, focusing on energy recovery in suspension systems.[1][5] The founders quickly pivoted after recognizing limitations in existing active suspension technologies—high costs, energy use, and bulky hydraulics—adapting their innovation into a fully active system with a compact form factor similar to standard shocks.[5] Renamed ClearMotion in January 2017, the company evolved from regenerative damping to proactive motion control, achieving early traction through simulations in Simulink and CarSim, real-time prototyping on Speedgoat hardware, and vehicle testing that adapts to driving behaviors and road conditions.[3][5] Pivotal moments include closing initial production contracts and securing the NIO order, marking entry into series development for OEM launches.[3][5]

Core Differentiators

• Proactive Hardware (ActiValve and CM1): Ultra-low latency actuators detect and neutralize road disturbances in milliseconds, providing real-time control over each wheel for superior comfort, handling, and safety—outperforming passive or reactive systems.[2][4][5]
• Cloud-Based Intelligence (RoadMotion): Crowdsources data from vehicle sensors via machine learning to create 20mm-accurate road maps, enabling predictive adjustments before hazards are encountered, with ongoing learning from fleet data.[2][4]
• Efficiency and Integration: Lightweight, energy-efficient design reduces vehicle weight and costs while flexibly integrating into various models, using existing car sensors and CAN bus for minimal added complexity.[2][3][5]
• Performance Versatility: Adapts to modes like "zen" for comfort, performance driving for precise handling, and hazard foresight, validated in harsh real-world conditions.[4][5]

Role in the Broader Tech Landscape

ClearMotion rides the wave of software-defined vehicles (SDVs) and electrification in automotive, where proactive chassis control aligns with demands for superior in-cabin experiences amid rising EV adoption and autonomous driving trends.[1][3][4] Timing is ideal as roads degrade globally while consumer expectations for comfort and safety surge—OEMs like NIO seek differentiators in competitive EV markets, amplified by ADAS integration and cloud connectivity.[2][3][4] Market forces favoring ClearMotion include regulatory pushes for efficiency (its lightweight design boosts range) and data-driven mobility, positioning it to influence ecosystem standards through crowdsourced road intelligence that benefits insurers, infrastructure planners, and fleets beyond OEMs.[2][4]

Quick Take & Future Outlook

ClearMotion is poised for scaled production with OEM launches imminent, leveraging NIO's order and $351M funding to expand RoadMotion's cloud API across global fleets.[1][3] Trends like AI-enhanced autonomy, sustainable mobility, and hyper-personalized rides will propel its growth, potentially evolving from suspension specialist to core SDV enabler with partnerships in battery-adjacent tech.[1][2][5] As adoption spreads, ClearMotion could redefine "quality time in cars," transforming reactive travel into proactive, flow-like journeys that set new benchmarks for automotive innovation.[4]