Automated vehicles must be able to perceive and interpret their surroundings (Sense). Fully automated driving requires a vehicle to have several sensors like camera, radar, lidar and ultrasonic.
With its innovative driver assistance systems, Bosch is paving the way to a new era of mobility. And many of the technologies that will shape automated driving are ready for drivers to experience today.
From climate change and greater road safety to the lack of time and space, the challenges of mobility will not solve themselves. Self-driving vehicles can make a key contribution to the solution. The development and acceptance of automated mobility depend above all on two factors: reliable technical solutions and people’s trust.
Bosch is working equally hard on both these factors to put automated vehicles on the roads that meet the highest requirements and make drivers feel like they are always in safe hands.
The levels of automated driving
What appeared to be nearly inconceivable at the beginning of the century has now come tangibly close – the vision of self-driving vehicles. As an innovative development partner and reliable systems supplier, Bosch has played a decisive role in promoting automated driving.
In this regard, Bosch already has the technologies to pave the way to automated driving. But see for yourself – on an exciting journey of discovery through the five levels of automated driving. Learn more
In order for autonomous driving to work, a vehicle needs to be able to do everything a driver can do: it has to be able to perceive and understand its surroundings (“Sense”), process the information, plan a driving strategy (“Think”), and safely implement the planned driving strategy (“Act”).
Bosch is promoting automated mobility in all three disciplines, for nearly all vehicle segments, and in almost all fields of technology. To make, for example, road traffic even safer, relieve the driver of tiring or monotonous tasks, and provide assistance in critical situations. Learn more
Executive Vice President Automated Driving, Robert Bosch GmbH
In the event of a cyberattack on the automated vehicle, Bosch’s multilayered IT security concept protects the vehicle systems against unauthorized access and manipulation. The microcontrollers, control units, in-vehicle communication system, vehicle electrical system, and interfaces to the internet and cloud are all secured with dedicated security measures. Even if attackers do manage to defeat individual security mechanisms, they will not gain access to the entire system and its security-critical components. Furthermore, an attack detection software is updated continuously to keep the automated vehicle protected and to secure it against new threats too.
More safety through redundant systems
For highly and fully automated driving, drivers no longer need to monitor the system. Then the safety of the occupants must be ensured by the system. Although the risk of failure of the system and individual components can be reduced to a minimum – it cannot be entirely eliminated. To safeguard the system against malfunctions, safety-critical sub-systems such as steering, braking, onboard power supply and data processing have a redundant design are controlled independently. When one sub-system fails, the corresponding redundant system is always capable of assuming the respective task and , for example, bringing the vehicle to a safe standstill in a critical situation.
The core intelligence of automated vehicles lies in the software running on the vehicle computer in the form of adaptive algorithms. The software analyzes and interprets incoming data from the surroundings sensors. It can, for instance, identify whether an object perceived by the sensors is a stop sign, vehicle, pedestrian, or cyclist. It can furthermore determine whether the object is moving and, if so, in which direction and at what speed. Based on the interpretation models, it is also possible to derive the likely future behavior of these static or dynamic objects.
Already today, Bosch offers technologies covering all levels of automation and for automated parking, many of which are already being deployed in volume production. In addition to outstanding technologies, customers also benefit from Bosch’s special strengths and competencies, like its global presence and local testing of automation technologies. These competencies make Bosch the preferred partner for automated mobility.
A competent development partner and long-term systems supplier
Reliable partnership The comprehensive Bosch portfolio and the company’s commitment throughout the product life cycle make Bosch a strong partner for automated mobility. Bosch has not only established itself as a development partner and systems supplier for automotive manufacturers, but also as a partner in the scientific community, government, and in other business sectors. Global logistics and mass production ensure fast delivery. This is in addition to global services and a supply of replacement parts around the world.
Tried and tested technologies for innovative concepts
Quality and reliability Bosch technology has been tried and tested millions of times and plays a major role in bringing high-quality vehicles to the market, as exemplified by the Bosch driver assistance systems in use around the world. Their quality and reliability have contributed to their being made mandatory in some countries. Bosch draws on its decades of experience in development and manufacturing to come up with new solutions, and this has led to the high standard of innovative developments the company achieves.
Technology leadership and consistent further development
Innovative strength and speed Bosch is driving all levels of automated mobility forward and has already developed all of the technologies required for highly and fully automated driving. At Bosch, innovative strength is illustrated, for instance, in the company’s technology leadership regarding vehicle sensors and onboard computers. As a result of its innovative strength, Bosch can quickly make new solutions ready for high-volume markets. High volumes make low prices possible.
Expertise for optimal system utilization with automation
Systems and connectivity expertise Bosch combines hardware and software to create complete system solutions for automated mobility. The higher the level of automation, the more important integrating individual technologies becomes. Bosch knows the exact technical requirements of components and can thus combine them in the best possible manner to create a complete system. To this end, Bosch combines specialist knowledge from the realms of mechanical engineering, electronics, software development, and telematics.
Key technologies for automated driving from a single source
Comprehensive portfolio and extensive expertise for vehicles, infrastucture, and services Bosch combines hardware and software with connectivity and services to create complete solutions for automated mobility. In addition, Bosch is active in a broad range of sectors and offers all key technologies. This comprehensive approach, the combination of different technologies, and optimal system integration enable the best possible system utilization.
Short distances and market-specific solutions
Global presence Bosch is close to its customers around the world, with activities in some 150 countries. This means that distances are short and the company can cooperate closely and flexibly with its customers. Bosch also has an international setup when it comes to automated mobility. The company is currently testing automated driving technologies in Germany, the United States, Japan, and China. Thanks to its decades of local experience, Bosch knows the specific requirements and trends in individual markets and can respond accordingly to specific requirements such as legislative frameworks.
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