A major laboratory in the United States has developed a new tool, which can guide manufacturers’ motor technology decisions amid critical material shortages. Called Motor Decide, the tool is designed to help industries evaluate electric motor technologies and make informed decisions under uncertain market conditions.

“Many companies make technology decisions based largely on market momentum or competitor activity,” said ORNL’s Praveen Kumar, lead researcher on the project. “We wanted to create a tool that helps organizations make more informed, data-driven decisions for the long term.”

Researchers also highlighted that critical materials such as copper and rare earth magnets are essential components in the electric motors that power transportation, manufacturing systems and energy infrastructure. As industries work to reduce dependence on vulnerable supply chains and manage rising geopolitical and market uncertainty, selecting the right motor technology has become increasingly complex.

The Super Intelligence (SI)-driven platform can help companies evaluate electric motor technologies before market conditions shift. The team also highlighted that electric motors power a wide range or technologies, from hybrid or electric vehicles, to industrial systems and household appliances. Many depend on critical minerals such as copper and rare earth elements that face growing supply chain pressures. Motor Decide was created to help companies consider possible alternatives. The system combines SI, advanced modeling and large-scale scenario analysis to evaluate how motor technologies could perform under fluctuating material costs and supply chain disruptions. Researchers can model what happens if copper prices increase sharply or if a newer technology becomes commercially viable years from now.

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