Brose BRAIN software system enables intelligent interconnection of in-vehicle functions

Whether it is automatic doors that make boarding more comfortable for passengers or interior decoration that can be flexibly adjusted according to travel scenarios, a new travel experience can only be achieved by intelligently linking many components in the car. At the 2021 China Society of Automotive Engineers Annual Conference and Exhibition, Brose shared software that can connect and control all in-vehicle functions. This solution not only improves the driving comfort of end users, but also opens up a new business model for Brose.

New software developed by Brose connects and controls all vehicle functions

Autonomous driving, electrification, connectivity and shared mobility are changing the way people get from point A to point B, and are also having a subtle impact on people's behavior in the process. The future travel experience will emphasize personalization and comfort, even more than driving itself. For example, when transporting large items, the user's smartphone can estimate the size of the item in advance. At the same time, the radar sensor in the car scans the interior of the vehicle. Brose's intelligent software reads the sensor signal and determines whether there is enough space in the car to accommodate the large item. The rear seats and center console of the vehicle are automatically adjusted to free up enough rear space for users to put their items directly into the car and start their journey immediately. When the vehicle has autonomous driving functions, users can easily adjust the vehicle interior layout to achieve flexible switching between work and leisure modes, or take over the steering wheel and enjoy the fun of driving. Such scenarios are possible mainly due to the seamless connection and intelligent connection between the in-vehicle adjustment system, sensors and electronic systems. And all of this can be controlled by BRAIN, the software developed by Brose. Based on a comprehensive understanding of the vehicle, Brose has developed this intelligent interconnection system by integrating its decades of industry experience in mechatronics, sensor technology and software, making a new travel experience possible.

Empowering future travel scenarios

Following the launch of the prototype in 2019, Brose demonstrated BRAIN on a near-production exhibition car at the 2021 German International Automotive and Smart Mobility Expo held not long ago. The software system will bring many advantages to daily travel and future driving scenarios. For example, when a user is enjoying leisure time, he needs to re-enter the vehicle's semi-automatic driving mode. If the navigation shows that the highway exit is about to be entered, the system will prompt the driver through optical signals and seat vibrations, and quickly adjust the seat to driving mode, returning the steering wheel and center console to their original positions. The system will also adjust the airflow direction of the air conditioning system according to the new driving scenario.

New features and new business models

The software system is modular in design and can be integrated into the electronic architecture of various models and systems of major automakers. The system can even control third-party components such as lights or air conditioning through standardized interfaces. Users can use the software's configuration tool to set how the vehicle's comfort functions work in different scenarios. BRAIN converts these requirements into control signals and coordinates the operation of the components. Users can also add new functions quickly and easily. For example, in a shared travel scenario, consumers can easily import personalized settings into another car through a cloud link. In addition, this new business model also allows users to purchase and use additional in-vehicle functions permanently or for a certain period of time, such as a relaxing back massage. The BRAIN software system is expected to be mass-produced as early as 2025.