ZF Presents Its Autonomous Driving Technologies at CES 2020

During the recent CES show, ZF has presented its technological advances in the field of autonomous driving, and confirmed its intention to deliver a Level 4 autonomous driving solution for an unnamed commercial vehicle (CV) maker by 2025.

According to ZF officials, the auto industry will start using autonomous technologies for different in the near future. Currently, smart high-tech solutions, so-called Level 2+ systems, have good prospects, if used in passenger cars. When we are talking about fully automated systems of level 4 and higher, they will probably find application in CVs and public transport. ZF has already received several orders from automotive companies

In the CV segment, ZF analytics are already noticing strong demand for technologies that make fully ensure 100% autonomous driving. While the use of self-driving passenger cars in public transport still can be restricted by technical norms, CVs can already adopt these technologies for operation within limited areas or specified lanes. It should be noted that autonomous technologies may have a significant savings potential that ensures quick returns on the production investments.

ZF CEO Wolf-Henning Scheider during the interview at CES 2020

In addition, the company’s CEO stated that based on the ZF ProAI supercomputer, ZF engineers are currently working on the electronic control unit (ECU) for a Level 4 system for an unnamed customer. This product is planned to be released within the next five years.

Moreover, ZF also plans to invest significant financial resources into software development. In cooperation with Microsoft, ZF wants to move to a new level in software engineering. Achieving this goal will allow ZF to become more efficient in dealing with challenges faced by the automotive industry because of the upcoming electrification. Thanks to the partnership with such a tech giant as Microsoft, ZF can adopt best practices in software development. In the long-run, ZF plans to develop and supply automotive software solutions.