Austin-based Drako Motors came out of stealth mode at high speed Friday, announcing their new vehicle-control product along with news that their technology helped set a new lap speed record for street-legal electric cars at a track in Germany.
Drako Motors, led by Dean Drako, describes itself as an "electric sports car software platform provider" and it launched by announcing its Drako DriveOS. It's a vehicle control unit operating system that independently controls all four wheels, allowing for optimal cornering and safety.
The company put their new car tech to use in an electric race car built by Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences. Drake Motors said the car set a new record on Germany's Nurburgring Nordschleife race track, which has 73 corners and is one of the most demanding test tracks around.
Drako Motors formed in 2013, although it operated in stealth mode until this week. The company says its vehicle control system helps avoid oversteering and understeering on corners; improves safety in poor weather conditions; and has strong cyber-safety and privacy systems.
“The Drako DriveOS dramatically improves electric sports car performance and control during cornering, while delivering unrivaled stability and traction during adverse environmental conditions,” Drako said in a new release. “Our technology platform takes electric vehicles to a new level in performance, handling and safety.”
The company, located near West Lake Hills in southwest Austin, plans to license its DriveOS platform to electric vehicle manufacturers in 2017.
Drako, the founder and CEO, founded Barracuda Networks, an email security company with $200 million in sales per year. He also founded Design Acceleration, which works with semiconductor companies, and Eagle Eye Networks, which provides cloud-equipped video surveillance. Drako has been an electronics consultant for Ford and General Motors.
