From automotive to mobility supplier: Schaeffler is putting solutions for Mobility for Tomorrow
and change at the center of its exhibition presence at the Consumer
Electronics Show (CES) 2017.
"We are showing how the visions for
autonomous driving, electrification and networking can be made a
reality," says Prof. Peter Gutzmer,
deputy CEO and chief technology officer of Schaeffler AG. "The
automotive industry is undergoing a dramatic change in which we are
playing a role as a development partner."
The attention grabber on the stand is Schaeffler's bio-hybrid, a
compact mobility solution for urban areas. This covered mini-vehicle
offers more than just protection from the weather. Its four wheels
provide high driving stability and with a length of only just over two
meters and a width of 85 cm, it occupies very little space. Propulsion
is via an electric powertrain designed by Schaeffler.
"The mobility
requirements in rapidly expanding urban areas will change in the
future," explains Prof. Gutzmer. "It is not enough for us just to
produce abstract sketches of our visions. Our ready-to-go prototypes
show that we have the capability to make actual products."
Schaeffler is also addressing the change which is happening at the
component level and is presenting its contributions to the field of
digitalization. The rolling bearing, which is the technology company's
conventional product, is becoming a sensor for the networked automobiles
of the future. Sensor coatings incorporated in the bearings at a
microscopic level will allow them to measure torques, revolutions,
forces and temperatures in the future - and thus supply invaluable data.
"The automobile will become part of the Internet of Things," according
to Prof. Gutzmer. "Our sensor bearings, which are being fitted wherever
components move and forces occur, provide drivers, fleet managers and
garages with first-hand data."
Electromechanical actuators, such as the
active roll control system which Schaeffler has already put into
production, will be able to provide data to the Internet of Things in
the future. The active roll control system compensates movements in
automobile chassis caused by driving around corners or on uneven road
surfaces.
When combined with intelligent wheel bearings, a high-accuracy
satellite navigation system and a communications module, it may, in the
future, be possible to produce a real-time image of the condition of
the road. This could then be used to send information to vehicles
following behind or to the infrastructure operator.
Transmissions for future, electrified generations of vehicles are a
further point of focus for Schaeffler at the exhibition - for example in
self-driving taxis which can navigate their way through cities
autonomously. In this case, all the drive components, with the exception
of the battery, are located within the wheel.
This makes it possible to
have automobiles which have an extremely good usable space/footprint
ratio whilst at the same time offering excellent maneuverability. "The
urban spaces of the future will require the smallest possible traffic
footprint with the maximum mobility," says Prof. Gutzmer.
"Innovative
drive concepts such as the wheel hub motor make new types of mobility
possible and are extremely significant components as far as
digitalization is concerned." The level of electrification in
conventional vehicles is already increasing. Schaeffler is therefore
presenting the technical solutions required for this at CES. This ranges
from 48V technologies, through high voltage modules for plug-in hybrid
vehicles, to electric axes for purely electric vehicles.
"At CES, we are once again showing how Schaeffler's recently unveiled strategy Mobility for Tomorrow
is now becoming a technical reality," explains Prof. Gutzmer. "At the
same time, we are open to new partnerships with start-ups who are
looking for a partner to work with to make their future mobility ideas a
reality as well."
Schaeffler is putting a great deal of effort into
expanding its research and development network and is putting particular
emphasis in this area on digitalization. Just in October 2016,
the mobility supplier announced a far-reaching collaboration with IBM
which will see the development of new technologies and business models
for the digital age.
About Schaeffler
The Schaeffler Group is one of the world's
leading integrated automotive and industrial suppliers. The company
stands for the highest quality, outstanding technology, and strong
innovative ability. The Schaeffler Group makes a decisive contribution
to "Mobility for tomorrow" with high-precision components and systems in
engine, transmission, and chassis applications as well as rolling and
plain bearing solutions for a large number of industrial applications.
The technology company generated sales of approximately 13.2 billion euros
in 2015. With around 85,000 employees, Schaeffler is one of the world's
largest companies in family ownership. It has a worldwide network of
manufacturing locations, research and development facilities, and sales
companies at approximately 170 locations in over 50 countries.
Follow us on Twitter @schaefflergroup to get all of our latest press releases and news.
SOURCE Schaeffler
For further information: Jörg Walz, Vice
President Communications and Marketing Automotive, Automotive Press
Spokesperson, Schaeffler AG, Herzogenaurach, email
joerg.walz@schaeffler.com | Jakub Fukacz, Marketing and Communications
Schaeffler Automotive, Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG,
Herzogenaurach, Tel. +49 9132 82-8286, email:
jakub.fukacz@schaeffler.com | Lynn Kier, Vice President Communications
and Marketing, Schaeffler Group USA Inc. Tel.: (803) 578-2929, email:
lynn.kier@schaeffler.com
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