Whether for automation, connectivity or electrification: the Nikola trucks have numerous Bosch innovations for greater safety and efficiency on board. Teams of engineers from Bosch locations in the USA and Germany have invested more than 220,000 hours in development to implement the Nikola Motor Company's idea.

The heart of the truck is the fuel cell drive, which is intended to set new standards in terms of vehicle range. Bosch and Nikola have jointly developed the drive as well as the vehicle chassis into which it is integrated. This also includes what is claimed to be the world's first electrified axle for heavy commercial vehicles with dual drive, which combines the motor, drive electronics and transmission in a single housing. But the Nikola Truck is more than just a fuel cell vehicle - it is a rolling supercomputer, according to the two companies. Its brain is designed by Nikola; systems, software and engineering expertise come from Bosch. The vehicle is equipped with numerous functions that require enormous computing power. This is provided by the central control unit, the Vehicle Control Unit (VCU) from Bosch. It enables over-the-air updates or real-time monitoring, for example. With the help of the VCU, vehicles can be operated without downtime.

Nikola trucks become mirrorless and keyless with Bosch technology

Bosch technology is not only found in the brain of the vehicle and in the drive. The Mirror Cam system developed by Bosch and Mekra Lang replaces the two large exterior mirrors with video sensors on the outside of the vehicle cabin. The image from the cameras is displayed to the driver in real time on high-resolution monitors in the driver's cab. Depending on the situation, the system adjusts the display on the screens - wide view on the highway, wide viewing angle in city traffic, high contrast when driving at night. The Mirror Cam system not only increases safety. Dispensing with conventional exterior mirrors also offers aerodynamic advantages, as it reduces air resistance.

With the Perfectly keyless system from Bosch, the vehicle keys of Nikola Trucks can be managed digitally. Using a smartphone app, freight forwarders and commercial vehicle rental companies can unlock their drivers for specific vehicles in the fleet and flexibly manage who has access and when. The truck is equipped with sensors that recognize a smartphone with the Perfectly-keyless app installed. Once the app is installed on the cell phone, a unique security key can be created there that fits into the vehicle's digital lock. When the driver approaches the vehicle, Perfectly keyless recognizes the smartphone, identifies the security key and unlocks the door if the digital key fits. As soon as the driver moves away from the truck again, the vehicle is automatically locked securely.

The Servotwin electro-hydraulic steering system from Bosch enables the steering to be integrated into driver assistance systems. In the Nikola vehicles, Servotwin will enable functions such as Lane Keeping Assist, Crosswind Compensation and Traffic Jam Assist, which actively support the driver and ensure greater driving comfort and safety. The steering system is also an important building block for the introduction of further automated functions in the future.