The Schaeffler Group inaugurated a new centre of competence in software development in Pune earlier today. The leading global supplier to the automotive and industrial sectors will be investing €10 million in the new location.
The centre, which will be a strategically important part of Schaeffler’s powerful international R&D network, will develop in the future electronics and software for the company's automotive components and systems, especially for e-mobility and chassis applications, said the company.
The centre will be housed under a newly-formed entity, Schaeffler Technology Solutions India. This is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Schaeffler Group and will be employing 200 engineers in India by end of 2022 and will be part of Schaeffler’s E-Mobility business division, the company stated in a release.
Uwe Wagner, Chief Technology Officer, Schaeffler AG, said strengthening competencies in mechatronics, electronics, and software plays a decisive role in Schaeffler's company strategy Roadmap 2025.
“In this way, we will actively shape the transformation toward sustainable and electrified mobility. Electrified powertrains have been part of Schaeffler’s core business since 2018 and we have become a leading systems supplier in electromobility in recent years,” Wagner said. The company will rely on a global R&D network for software and electronics development in the future to further strengthen and expand this position, he said.
Commenting further on this, Dr Jochen Schröder, Head of the E-Mobility business division, Schaeffler said Schaeffler Technology Solutions India in Pune will become a main location in this network. Towards this, Schaeffler plans to ramp up the development team in India during the next years.
Transition Towards Sustainable Mobility
Schaeffler is a major electric powertrain supplier, and has over the years built strong capabilities both on individual components as well as complete systems. In the first three quarters this calendar year, the e-mobility business at Schaeffler has generated orders worth € 4.7 billion, said the company.
The new Pune technology centre will focus on software development, electronics, mechatronics, and validation, which are key to seamlessly blend electrical and mechanical components for overall system reliability and efficiency.
Yogesh Patwardhan, Director, Schaeffler Technology Solutions India, said, “In the last few years, we have witnessed fast paced change in technology scape driven by consumer preferences. Schaeffler group is committed to enable the transition towards sustainable mobility by harmonising our manufacturing competency with digitalisation, electric and electronics competencies.”
In addition, the new development centre in India will also contribute in multiple projects focusing on a range of complex functional safety topics – from quality management to ASIL D applications and cybersecurity, leveraging AUTOSAR platform and architecture.
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