- After its acquisition of TRW, the technology company now offers a comprehensive product portfolio for intelligent mechanics
- ZF will supply technology for automated driving functions for all vehicle segments
- Electrical drives and plug-in hybrid systems reduce emissions and increase efficiency
As its first appearance in the U.S. at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) since the acquisition of TRW, ZF is demonstrating the potential of technology integration by unveiling systems that will increase vehicle efficiency and safety and make automated driving a reality. Using the slogan “Shaping the next decade of automated driving,” the third largest automotive supplier in the world will showcase its unique market position as it paves the way toward autonomous driving. ZF supplies sensor systems, intelligent control units, and mechatronic actuators. The company intends to further strengthen its expertise in this area and offer technology to enable automated driving functions for all vehicle segments. In addition, ZF is driving electrification forward: starting with electro-mechanical actuators and individual hybrid modules via plug-in hybrid systems up to purely electric drives, including control units and power electronics.
“By way of intelligent mechanics, we are actively pushing development in the direction of autonomous driving,” adds Dr. Sommer, CEO of ZF Friedrichshafen AG. “Achieving the greatest possible safety in any driving situation will become increasingly important and this will demand a new level of quality. Only if drivers feel completely safe, will they relinquish control of their vehicles in defined situations.” The requirements for driver assist systems, control units and actuators in terms of performance and environmental recognition, will accelerate considerably in the years ahead.
When it comes to safety, every millisecond counts
Safety systems are also critical in protecting pedestrians crossing the street, cyclists in city traffic and other vulnerable road users. For this reason, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), as well as important crash test programs, such as the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the European New Car Assessment Program (NCAP), have also increased automatic emergency braking (AEB) requirements for passenger cars. These are set to become more stringent in the next two to three years, and therefore shorter stopping distances and faster response times are paramount.
With active safety functions such as automatic emergency braking (AEB), ZF offers solutions that meet these safety requirements. The basic functions for these include advanced environmental recognition, robust and redundant mechatronic actuators, as well as sophisticated electronic control units. For example, radar and camera systems provide important information on the vehicle’s surroundings, while the central safety domain electronic control unit (SDE) processes the sensor data and sends relevant information to the steering, brakes, drivelone and chassis systems. ZF is gradually developing these functions into partially automated and, ultimately, fully automated driving functions.
Systematic electrification improves efficiency
Electrifying the driveline is an essential means for ZF to further increase efficiency and significantly reduce emissions. The technology company already delivers all components for the electrified driveline, including control units and power electronics. The 8-speed plug-in hybrid transmission already available in volume production as well as a new, highly modular axle system with integrated electric axle drive will be highlights at the NAIAS.
