Chassis 2.0 – ZF’s Solution for the Software-defined Vehicle
Vehicle Motion Control @ ZF
The chassis forms the basis of any mobility on wheels.
Chassis 2.0 is an advanced concept in automotive chassis design that integrates smart technologies and scalable electronic/electrical (E/E) architectures to support software-defined, automated, and electric vehicles. It provides a highly integrated, software-driven system by offering enhanced performance, safety, and comfort.
"Everything comes together in the chassis," says André Engelke, Head of Systemhouse Vehicle Motion Control. "Smart actuators like braking, steering, and damping bring the vehicle's intelligence to the road. Moreover, electric drives integrate with the chassis more efficiently than internal combustion engines ever did."
“ZF’s Chassis 2.0 not only contains the latest and greatest ZF chassis technologies, but also how there they are and linked and connected to each other. By migrating, and re-structuring the application software from the actuator to a centralized controller, ZF is capable to provide a holistic chassis level system solution with high modularity, flexibility and scalability for the era of software-defined vehicle.”
André Engelke, Head of Systemhouse Vehicle Motion Control, ZF
The Chassis of the Future: Highly Modular
The choice significantly impacts chassis development. By using software to control the interaction of brakes, steering, shock absorbers, and similar components, vehicle handling can be optimized far beyond what individual hardware components can achieve. This allows designers to elevate safety and driving dynamics to new heights. The same chassis can deliver sporty driving with direct steering feedback or, with autopilot engaged, provide a smooth ride by isolating occupants from road bumps and the way of vehicle‘s motion for a comfortable ride.
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Chassis 2.0 Meets All Chassis Trends
We bring together its response to these developments and requirements under the keyword "Chassis 2.0." ZF covers three potential fields of application for its customers: First, ZF meets more than virtually any other technology company the consistently high demand for smart chassis actuators to control longitudinal, lateral and vertical dynamics. "Vehicle Motion Control is one of our strategic action fields," says Engelke. The portfolio includes the latest-generation Continuous Damping Control and also the active damping system sMOTION, the electrically controlled air suspension, state-of-the-art brake and steering technologies as well as an integrated height sensor that can collect relevant mobility data while the vehicle is moving. Secondly, if you are looking to integrate chassis functions based on the modified E/E architecture of today's passenger car generations in a chassis domain controller or even supplement these functions with software functions, ZF has the solution – particularly with its integrated cubiX chassis control software. Thirdly, ZF offers groundbreaking chassis concept solutions for autonomous electric vehicles used flexibly for commercial applications.
The chassis and its further development are decisive for the successful transformation of the automotive industry. ZF is also leading the field in this area: By migrating, and re-structuring the application software from the actuator to a centralized controller, ZF is capable to provide a holistic chassis level system solution with high modularity, flexibility and scalability for the era of SdV.
