While conventional vehicles with IC engines will continue to be in demand, the future of mobility would see multiple interpretation of cars, including electric powertrains, hybrids of various kinds and autonomous vehicles. Diversified German automotive supplier ZF is preparing ground to serve such changes with solutions and products of its own. Auto Tech Review spoke to Dr Stefan Sommer, Chief Executive Officer, ZF Friedrichshafen AG for this exclusive interview.
Chief Executive Officer of ZF Friedrichshafen AG, Dr Stefan Sommer is responsible for corporate R&D, corporate development, corporate communications and ZF aftermarket. Born on January 7, 1963 in Münster, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany, Dr Sommer earned his mechanical engineering graduate degree with specialization in automation technology from the Ruhr-Universität, Bochum and went on to complete his PhD studies at the Chair of Control Engineering and Embedded Systems, Ruhr-Universität, Bochum.
In 1994, he joined ITT Automotive Europe GmbH as a development engineer. In 1997, he moved to Continental Automotive Systems, Hannover as Director Electronics & Sensor Development. In 2008, he joined ZF Sachs AG in Schweinfurt as a Member of the Board of Management, Suspension Division. On January 1, 2012, he took charge as the Deputy Executive Vice President, ZF Group and since May 1 the same year, he is the CEO of ZF Friedrichshafen AG.
ATR _ How do you view the current megatrends in the automotive industry? DR STEFAN SOMMER _
In the beginning on 2012, we identified the megatrends of safety, fuel efficiency, autonomous driving and related systems, and put them all at the centre of our product portfolio. Then we set up a strategy for 2025 anticipating how those global megatrends would influence society and our product portfolio in mobility. We see a strong change in the global automotive world, primarily driven by demands of improved fuel efficiency, and reduction of emission and global warming. That is driving the move from conventional technologies to electrified or CO2-neutral technologies.
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Sound Generation For Enhanced Road Safety
With an ever-increasing number of fully electric and hybrid vehicles entering the market, we are witnessing a change in the acoustic experience in and around the car. The silent nature of the electric powertrain means that other road users miss the familiar acoustic cues that warn them of an approaching vehicle. To remedy this situation, Harman is working on various noise management solutions.
OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE SAFETY CONTRIBUTION OF TODAY'S AUTOMOTIVE HEADLAMPS
Good lighting makes a major contribution to road safety. In 2011, the International Commission on Illumination (CIE) presented an evaluation system for headlamps that can objectively assess the quality of illumination and glare limitation. New light sources like LEDs and lighting functions (glare-free high beam, partial high beam) have been available for several years, so that an extension of the proven CIE method is necessary, which takes into account, among other things, changed switch-on and service lives of new lighting functions and represents a generally understandable evaluation system. An evaluation system presented in the following by the Technische Uni versitÀt Darmstadt, which was developed by an encompassing expert commission, is intended to provide representative data and enable an objective evaluation of headlamp performance.
RAPIDO RE-INNOVATES TO CATER TO POST COVID-19 LAST MILE CONNECTIVITY
The rapid pace of urbanisation in the country has witnessed cities expanding and subsuming surrounding villages and smaller towns, evolving into Tier II and III cities.
FUNCTIONAL SAFETY STANDARDS TOP PRIORITY FOR FUTURE AUTOMOTIVE DEPLOYMENT
Increasing levels of electronic content in vehicles result in a large amount of software that is required to run the scenes behind the mechanical aspects of a vehicle. Electronic systems in automobiles are part of every section, from the powertrain to comfort and convenience systems as well as all types of safety equipment. This makes electronics and the software running these systems a critical part of the equation for future mobility solutions. In addition, putting standards in place to measure methods of developing, testing and functioning of such electronic systems also becomes highly relevant.
âBYD'S EV STRATEGY TO ENCOMPASS MOST FORMS OF TRANSPORTATION NEEDS IN INDIAâ
The countryâs electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem is grappling with a plethora of challenges even as it is striving to wriggle itself out of the ânascent stageâ tag. In an exclusive chat with Auto Tech Review, Zhang Jie Ketsu, Executive Director, BYD India shares his perspective on the current EV scenario and how the company intends to progress faster in the Indian automotive industry
SAFETY IN ELECTRIC AND AUTONOMOUS CARS â SIMULATION OF COMPLEX CRASH SCENARIOS
Electric and autonomous vehicles allow for novel seating arrangements and packaging strategies, presenting new safety challenges. Physical crash testing must be supplemented with virtual simulation to ensure vehicle safety on shorter development cycles. With its Simcenter Madymo MBS software, Siemens provides improved runtimes and the Active Human model, enabling accurate and rapid occupant safety analysis in complex crash scenarios.
KIA SONET â A MIGHTY OFFERING IN THE COMPACT SUV SEGMENT
It wouldn't be wrong to say that Kia Motors India has taken the Indian market by storm in less than 12 months of its presence in the market.
NISSAN'S NEW DIRECTION: ARIYA ALL-ELECTRIC
Marking a key milestone in Nissanâs transformation strategy, Ariya ticks a lot of boxes highlighting the strengths of the global automotive giant.
BETTER SAFETY WITH EMERGENCY BRAKE ASSIST FOR MOTORCYCLES
Rear-end collisions with a slower vehicle suddenly cutting into the lane and intersection accidents with cross-traffic are among the most frequent motorcycle accident types. Continental is now developing an emergency brake assist, which detects an imminent collision with a vehicle ahead or with an obstacle, warns the rider and supports him during braking
ADAS WILL SERVE AS CATALYST FOR IMPROVED VEHICLE SAFETY
The automotive industry across the globe is increasingly focussing on safety.
