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Simplifying 'Vehicle Network Architectures' - ZF's Alan Schmidt on Vehicle Motion Control Technology
Adrian Smith
- Dec 10 2024
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ZF is a global technology company supplying advanced mobility products and systems for passenger cars, commercial vehicles and industrial technology. The company's UK site is a part of its global network of Engineering Centres, where it designs, evaluates and develop systems and solutions for both passenger and commercial vehicles, as well as other types of vehicles.
"We specialise in the following areas: Electronics, Test and Validation, Cybersecurity, Software Architecture and Algorithmic Applications and Embedded Software," Alan Schmidt, Manager Customer Lead Engineering EU, Feature Family Management & System Platform Management Vehicle Motion Control System House, explains.
cubiX is ZF's vehicle motion control (VMC). It's a platform for everything included in the chassis, and offers innovations such as 'Crab-Walk', 'Drift Control' and 'Carving'.
"It is the brain that we put into all our chassis actuators and the brain we offer to our customers should they seek to unlock multi-actuator integrated chassis control on a domain/zone architecture," says Schmidt.
ZF is offering cubiX in a modular architecture because its customers are often seeking to build aspects of VMC by themselves.
"By offering a standardised range of basic functions, ZF creates synergy effects in the development and optimization of driving-specific functions. cubiX® control of smart actuators, means simplified vehicle network architectures. This simplification speeds up OE engineering and at the end of the day means end customers can expect more frequent product iteration offerings."
With features like 'Variable Driving Characteristics', drivers can individually adapt the specific driving character of a car – from quiet and comfortable cruising to agile and sporty.
Its 'Trailer Stability Assist' function can be used to minimise instability of trailers, as above a certain speed they tend to sway – a danger to the stability of the entire car-trailer combination.
"To support the driver in this situation, cubiX® detects the swaying of a trailer at an early stage and stabilises the trailer. This is achieved by targeted intervention with the brakes, as well as reducing the engine power. Unlike previous systems, cubiX® Trailer Stability Assist (TSA) can also integrate rear axle steering into the intervention. In this way, TSA significantly increases safety when driving with a trailer."
It also offers potential for automation in commercial vehicles.
"As commercial vehicles become more automated, electrified and connected, vehicle motion control technologies are becoming increasingly important in managing ever more complex vehicle systems," he says.
In a recent long-term pilot study in Germany, cubiX was successfully deployed in a freight yard and was proven to be highly effective.
"cubiX® interfaces with all virtual driver systems and the vehicle actuators to ensure required safety, precision and vehicle performance in challenging driving scenarios such as freight yards or ports, where there is more scope to deploy automated technologies compared to public roads."
Technology Collaborations
Lotus is utilising ZF's driveline and chassis technology in its all-electric Eletre SUV.
"The ZF cubiX® software controls all chassis functions, including the brakes, front and rear axle steering, active roll stabilization system, along with the electric drive. The Eletre is based on an 800-volt architecture with silicon carbide technology, improving charging performance and range. ZF supplies the highly integrated electric axle drive to deliver the propulsion in this SUV," says Schmidt.
The company ia also working with The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company to integrate Goodyear SightLine, a suite of tyre intelligence technologies, into the ZF cubiX ecosystem.
This provides further tyre and road data into the chassis system and enables an improved driving experience with better comfort, control and efficiency. Through research, virtual simulation and real-world testing, Goodyear and ZF together identified the potential of an integrated solution to improve vehicle performance and safety."
For example, The Goodyear SightLine solution is able to detect partial aquaplaning early and offers recommendations for optimal speed to enhance vehicle control.
"The interaction of the aquaplaning detection function and the aquaplaning handling function is a perfect example of how Goodyear's expertise in the field of tyres and ZF's expertise in the field of chassis control create tangible added value for the driver," he adds.
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Eco-Friendly Urban Transportation
ZF is developing the technologies needed to build autonomous transportation systems and advanced passenger cars with assisted and self-driving capabilities.
Its AD-System is already being used successfully in an autonomous shuttle (Project RABus) in Germany. .
"The RABus project is an important opportunity to demonstrate the performance of its own AD components in real operation. In addition, ZF can show in the RABus project how the company can support the implementation of a reliable, autonomous public transport operation as an engineering service provider. This involves also consulting activities in the selection and evaluation of potential routes, the subsequent mapping of these routes, and the creation of the requirements profile for hardware and software," says Schmidt.
"Through this project, ZF can gain important development expertise in the context of highly automated driving functions and insights into approval processes for Level 4 vehicle platforms."
Finally, we asked him what urban mobility will look like by 2030.
"Future urban mobility will be defined by electrification, ADAS and AD vehicles, and integrated, on-demand Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) platforms. Micro-mobility solutions like e-bikes and scooters, supported by expanded infrastructure, will be popular. Sustainable, AI-powered traffic management and connected vehicles will optimize flow and safety. There will be a strong focus on accessibility, equity, and affordability, with cities adopting green initiatives, such as electric public transit," he predicts.
"Urban planning will shift to reduce car ownership, support pedestrian zones, and adapt to flexible work patterns. Data-driven insights and public-private partnerships will play crucial roles in shaping efficient and eco-friendly urban transportation systems," concludes Schmidt.
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