Leading global supplier, Schaeffler, through its Automotive Technologies division, has highlighted a bouquet of innovative new components and solutions that will have a key role in shaping the future of mobility.
At the Schaeffler Symposium held in Yokohama, Japan, the company highlighted sustainable mobility solutions for customers & partners in Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia Pacific and India for powertrains, chassis systems and new mobility solutions.
The symposium presented continued, ongoing transformation in pushing the boundaries of efficient and sustainable mobility, said Dharmesh Arora, Schaeffler Regional CEO Asia/Pacific, adding that Schaeffler, “as a respected global supplier of high-quality, innovative technology solutions” provided “a platform for us to inspire collaboration and strengthen cooperation”.
Innovations For The Future
Notably, Schaeffler has focussed on electrified powertrains since 2018, developing products and technologies ranging from individual electromobility components to highly complex systems.
In 2030, Schaeffler anticipates that 80% of all vehicles produced worldwide will be with electrified powertrains – both fully electric and hybrid. Arora said the company is well positioned to take advantage of this shift and have made headways when it comes to technological advancements, particularly in electric axle drives.
In June this year, Schaeffler had announced its 4in1 e-axle, which combines four subsystems – electric motor, transmission, power electronics, and thermal management – into one highly innovative system. Designed with an intelligent control system, this high degree of integration allows for more efficient use of thermal energy – up to 14% less energy consumption through waste heat utilisation and CO2 heat pump – in the vehicle leading to increased range and ride comfort.
The company displayed the 4in1 e-axle for the first time in Japan.
In addition to electrified powertrains, Schaeffler also displayed for the first time in Japan its rolling chassis, a scalable platform for new driverless mobility solutions that can enable entirely new forms of autonomous mobility, stated Schaeffler.
“Increasing urbanisation, particularly in fast-growing markets in India, China and Southeast Asia, coupled with the rapid pace of regulatory and technological changes have shifted preferences towards new and alternative mobility concepts,” said Arora. The rolling chassis is built on a universal platform that is easily configurable for various requirements – both in terms of manoeuvrability and performance – from passenger and freight transport to service applications.
The other interesting solution showcased in the symposium was Schaeffler’s new chassis applications for autonomous mobility that utilises the company’s steer-by-wire systems. This solution, which eliminates the mechanical connection between the steering wheel and steering gear, is expected to bring new opportunities with respect to interior design, the company said.
Tech Agnostic Approach
Schaeffler also reiterated its approach towards driving sustainable transformation in the automotive industry, stating it supports an open-to-all technologies approach to ensure reduction of emissions in all types of vehicles. Hybrid powertrains, for instance, will play a pivotal role in the transition towards sustainable mobility, the company stated.
“As a champion of efficient and sustainable mobility, we understand that different markets and application scenarios require distinct innovative solutions. That is why we continue developing our combustion engine technology – both high-efficiency pure combustion engines and optimized combustion engines for hybrid powertrains,” Arora explained.
Furthermore, the company is also developing components for fuel cell-powered drives and systems – which were also on display at the symposium.
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