Schaeffler prepares for mass production of drive-by-wire technology

Quick overview of key points

★Schaeffler and Palawan have successfully completed a year of cooperation

★Maddis Zinke: “Schaeffler is developing into a chassis system integrator”

Schaeffler helps Hunan Xiangjiang New District build an intelligent connected ecosystem

Audi R8 LMS GT3 race car with Schaeffler drive-by-wire technology approved to participate in DTM concurrent events

Currently, the automotive industry is undergoing tremendous changes, and new technologies and vehicle concepts are playing an increasingly important role. Since Schaeffler and Paravan established a joint venture in August last year, the two parties have gone through more than a year of cooperation and achieved successful development. Matthias Qingke, CEO of the Schaeffler Group's Automotive Main Engine Division, explained: "With the establishment of Schaeffler Paravan Technology Co., Ltd., Schaeffler is fully prepared for future development. With wire control technology and Schaeffler Mover, we hope to play an important role in shaping future transportation. Based on this, Schaeffler is gradually developing into a leading chassis system integrator."

The wire control technology is expected to be put into mass production in 2021

Roland Arnold, CEO of Schaeffler Palawan Technologies GmbH and founder of Palawan, said: "We have established a win-win cooperation. In the past year, we have successfully made phased progress and laid the foundation for the further development of wire control technology to achieve mass production."

Schaeffler's drive-by-wire technology is a key technology for realizing autonomous driving. It is the world's first drive-by-wire system approved for road use, with more than 1 billion kilometers of accident-free road mileage

With the continuous development of autonomous driving technology, digital driving and steering systems such as wire control technology have received more and more attention. Schaeffler's wire control technology is the world's first wire control technology approved for road use and meets strict functional safety regulations. Matthias Qingke added: "We plan to put this technology into mass production in 2021. We have already cooperated with many customers on specific projects, and they will use some technologies on Schaeffler Mover, such as intelligent steering drive modules and wire control technology. We position ourselves as a chassis integrator, providing drive devices and drive control systems for advanced vehicle integrators."

Boosting the development of China's intelligent driving market

On September 6, 2019, Schaeffler signed a cooperation framework agreement with the Management Committee of Hunan Xiangjiang New District. The two parties will rely on the advantages of local industrial clusters and combine Schaeffler's technical expertise and R&D strength to help build China's intelligent connected vehicle industry ecosystem. According to the agreement, Schaeffler plans to establish a wholly-owned company in Hunan Xiangjiang New District, introduce its Space Drive wire control technology used in the field of intelligent driving into the new district, and develop a Mover platform system and 90-degree intelligent steering module that meet the requirements of future intelligent driving. At the same time, Schaeffler also plans to establish a new R&D center and intelligent driving vehicle research institute in Hunan Xiangjiang New District. As Schaeffler's second R&D center in Greater China, the new R&D center will be committed to the development of future intelligent connected vehicle technologies.

Audi R8 LMS GT3 qualified

Schaeffler’s drive-by-wire technology has already been proven in extreme racing conditions – at the end of October, former F1 driver Markus Winkelhock drove an Audi R8 LMS GT3 equipped with this technology to compete in the Gran Turismo Touring Car Championship (DMV GTC) season finale in Hockenheim, Germany, and finished high in both races. This was also the first time the car participated in an official race.

The Audi R8 LMS GT3 race car equipped with Schaeffler's steer-by-wire technology has no mechanical connection between the steering wheel and the steering gear. The car was approved by the German Motor Sports Federation (DMSB) in June this year and is the first steer-by-wire racing car approved by the federation. Roland Arnold said: "This competition is another milestone in our development of steer-by-wire technology. We have obtained a lot of valuable information from the previous weekend races and used this information to further develop the system." DMV GTC will be included in the DTM Touring Car Championship next year.