The convergence of hardware, software and electronics in the automotive industry is leading to a completely new mobility landscape. The connectivity requirements of the individual components in the "Software-Defined Car" are increasingly shifting value creation from hardware to software. This change requires faster and more comprehensive software development - on the one hand in terms of the speed and quality of processes, but also in terms of software engineering methods and solutions.
ZF provides components and technologies for the software-defined vehicle. Click on the (+) button to learn more about some of ZF's highlight solutions.
The most flexible, scalable, and powerful automotive supercomputer and the source of vehicle intelligence:The newly upgraded ZF ProAI is a central computer suitable for all vehicle platforms, software applications and E/E-architectures. One control unit for all purposes and all automation levels from ADAS to AD – and smaller, more energy-efficient and yet more powerful than ever before.
ZF is a leading supplier of intelligent sensors, including different kinds of cameras and radars like the Smart Camera 4.8, the smallest front-facing single-lens camera available. Or ZF’s Imaging Radar, a high resolution 77GHz radar designed to satisfy enhanced system solutions for AD L2+, L4 and beyond.
Equipping computers and robots with cognitive abilities to handle even highly complex tasks better than humans - that is the goal of artificial intelligence (AI). The rapidly increasing computing power of processors makes it possible to process enormous amounts of data in the shortest possible time. An appropriately programmed algorithm recognizes patterns in Big Data and can interpret them. AI systems are able to solve questions that are not thematically stored in their code.
One example of this is the ZF ProAI central computer. It is the most flexible, scalable and powerful central computer in the mobility industry and evaluates the flood of information generated by a car's various sensor systems in real time. With this, it calculates the optimal response of the vehicle and constantly learns from the experience gained - a prerequisite for making automated driving a reality in everyday life.
An important characteristic of AI systems is that they continuously learn as they collect more data.
For particularly complex tasks, special deep-learning algorithms are required that are designed to emulate the neural networks of the human brain. They allow feedback and correction loops and can be particularly well specialized to recognize patterns or deviations in large amounts of data.
This makes deep learning systems particularly well suited for image recognition programs, for example, such as those used in the software architecture of ZF Pro AI.
The idea behind the Internet of Things (IoT) is to enable machines of all kinds to communicate with each other and with external users.
On the one hand, the networking of different systems enables new digital services and, on the other, allows hardware to be used more efficiently. For example, for cars that share information about potholes with other vehicles. But networking also creates great added value for manufacturing plants in industry that coordinate current capacity utilization, or wind turbines whose maintenance can be planned before damage occurs thanks to real-time data on wear. Thanks to its broad portfolio, ZF even benefits from cross-industry synergies to offer its customers a wide range of innovative, safe and intelligent functions.
In a networked world, it is essential that vehicles and systems communicate with each other. In future mobility solutions, not only the vehicles themselves and among each other will be networked. Additionally, mobility services and infrastructure will be integrated into this network. ZF offers solutions in both the logistics and automotive sectors.
