The way we commute is becoming more affordable, comfortable, and sustainable with groundbreaking technology. Our team had the opportunity to listen to Dr. Martin Fischer, member of the ZF Board of Management and Head of the Americas, and Torsten Gollewski, ZF’s Vice President of Autonomous Mobility Systems, discuss how transportation as we know it is transforming before our eyes and for years to come.
ZF, the tech company fueling autonomous driving and electric mobility, utilized advanced features such as smart sensors, smart actuators, and e-drive to ensure a comfortable, environmentally friendly, and savvy way to get from point A to B. For example, heated seat belts provide up to 15% increased vehicle range by reducing the energy required to heat passengers in cold climates and are simple to install. “By 2025, we expect 30-40% of new vehicle platforms to be more domain-oriented,” Fischer explained as he emphasized the increase of software’s digital presence in vehicles.
From beginnings in software development in hybrid vehicles, by 2024, ZF Group plans to release the most efficient, powerful automotive computer yet, the ZF Pro AI. Already securing the sale of 14 million units, “the most powerful supercomputer in the automotive industry is becoming even better,” said Fischer. The ZF Proconnect control connects vehicles to all channels in the world. In addition to 5G and LTE capability, the ZF Proconnect can seamlessly locate the vehicle through satellite detection. Fifty million smart cameras have already been sold globally, equipping modern vehicles with the ability to sense potential hazards, thus, improving passenger safety.
ZF also leads the world in autonomous shuttle transport systems, already present in Germany, the Netherlands, and Dubai, transporting over 14 million passengers. ZF hopes that autonomous shuttle transport systems provide an environmentally sustainable transportation option for people in urban centers, which is more important than ever before. “There is simply too little space, too much pollution, an unacceptable CO2 footprint in cities, high-stress levels, and traffic which seems to collapse under the sheer mass of individual vehicles,” said Gollewsk. ZF has recently partnered with Beeb, a United States-based company leading the charge in deploying autonomous vehicles for public transportation.
So, where are we right now in the world’s transformation to electric mobility? “E Mobility is coming, It’s software-driven, and ZF is ready with hardware, software, and system solutions to deliver to these needs,” Fischer announced.
Following a Q+A session, CES conference attendees had the opportunity to get a feel for the future of transportation with in-person demos and some one-on-one time with world leaders of the future of transportation.
