With new activities in the "Heavy Duty" area, Schaeffler will also offer solutions in the commercial vehicle market in the future that go far beyond the existing product portfolio in the engine, transmission and chassis areas.

E-Drive: Modular system enables solutions adapted to the installation space

When it comes to the electrification of large-scale automotive production, suppliers are not only confronted with the problem of installation space and power scaling, the conflicting goals of variant diversity and cost efficiency must also be optimally resolved. The answer from Schaeffler is simple but effective: with the E-Drive, a modular system for electric drive systems, customer requirements can be implemented quickly and efficiently. The E-Drive modular system consists of an electric motor, software and power electronics, which enables the customer to create a customized system solution - particularly with regard to functionality and optimum efficiency - for the commercial vehicle sector. Particularly noteworthy here is the high degree of modularization of the power electronics, which enables space-adapted solutions for almost any requirement.

Space Drive - basis for autonomous driving in levels 4 and 5

An important product for autonomous driving comes from Schaeffler Paravan Technologie. The core element of Space Drive, a leading drive-by-wire technology, is the steer-by-wire function in addition to the drive and brake actuation, which enables reliable lane guidance of the vehicle purely via electronic control signals. In contrast to other systems of this type, Space Drive has triple redundancy and is currently the only system solution worldwide to meet the highest quality and safety requirements, in particular the demanding functional safety standard ISO 26262 ASIL D. It is therefore the only system of its kind to be approved for road use worldwide and also has the potential to be technically and commercially competitive in large-scale automotive production. This technology plays a particularly important role for trucks in autonomous and semi-autonomous driving (including platooning), also due to its individual application possibilities through customizable software. A total of 8,500 vehicles with Space Drive are in use worldwide. More than one billion kilometers have been driven accident-free with the system.

Technology impresses at the VDI Knowledge Forum

Around 80 interested guests who accepted Schaeffler's invitation to Bühl as part of the VDI Knowledge Forum "Commercial Vehicles 2019 Truck, Bus, Van, Trailer" were able to "experience" this technology live. Among other things, a Mercedes Benz Sprinter with Space Drive was available for testing on the test track there. The VDI Knowledge Forum is an excellent platform for us to present our capabilities for heavy-duty applications to the expert guests," emphasized Matthias Zink, Member of the Executive Board Automotive OEM at Schaeffler. "We are bundling and expanding our expertise with new activities in the commercial vehicle sector. The industry already knows and appreciates our reliable and economical modules for engines, transmissions and chassis. We are also confident that our innovative products for the hybridization and electrification of the commercial vehicle drivetrain, such as the modular E-Drive, can help our customers achieve the ambitious emission limits."