High tech engineering, advanced manufacturing and further investment in Australia
- Future of Mobility Summit: Bosch Australia and the Victorian Government discuss the progression of a connected, electrified and automated future of mobility.
- 2018 marks the fourth consecutive year of growth for Bosch in Oceania.
- Achievements in cutting-edge automated vehicle technology, Internet of Things (IoT) and mobile connectivity have contributed to the growth.
Bosch, a leading global supplier of technology and services, hosted the inaugural Future of Mobility Summit in partnership with the Victorian Government as part of its 2019 Digital Innovation Festival. Held at the Bosch Australia Headquarters and Technical Centre in Clayton, the summit brought together government and industry to unlock the potential of automated and electrified mobility.
“The future will be electric, connected, automated and multimodal. Australia needs to start preparing for orderly, but accelerating transition,” said Bosch Oceania President Gavin Smith.
Automation – Bosch is teaching cars to drive
Safety, efficiency, traffic flow, time – automation is one of the keys to many challenges of tomorrow’s mobility. Not only does Bosch have a broad portfolio of driver assistance systems, but the company also systematically develops its systems, components, and services further with a view to partial, highly, and fully automated driving.
Testing driverless cars on rural roads
In Victoria, Bosch is testing state-of-the-art technology designed to improve safety in rural areas having been granted the first permit to test automated vehicle technology on public roads. The aim of the Bosch trial is to further develop the cutting-edge technology that will improve safety on rural Australian roads – where drivers are five times more likely to be killed in a crash than in metropolitan areas.
“Bosch is a proud leader in vehicle safety systems and is eager to progress this trial with technologies that will show how we can improve road safety and reduce road trauma,” said Gavin Smith.
Automated valet parking – green light for driverless parking:
Bosch and Daimler have installed the automated valet parking system in the Mercedes-Benz Museum parking garage in Stuttgart, Germany. It is the world’s first driverless (SAE Level 4) parking function to be officially approved. The automated valet parking service is activated via a smartphone app. As if guided by an invisible hand, the car parks itself without a safety driver.
Bosch IoT Shuttle – vehicles for the future of urban mobility:
In the future, driverless shuttles will be a common sight on city streets around the world – whether they are transporting goods or people. Thanks to their electric powertrains, the shuttles will glide through city centers and be seamlessly connected with their surroundings. Bosch technology for automating, electrifying, personalizing, and connecting can be used in these sorts of shuttles.
Bosch technology for electro mobility
Bosch wants to make mobility energy-efficient and eco-friendly including efficient internal-combustion engines, fuel-cell powertrains, and various stages of electrification.
Fuel-cell system – e-mobility for the long haul:
Mobile fuel cells offer long ranges, short refueling times, and – with hydrogen produced using renewable energy – emissions-free vehicle operation. Together with the Swedish company Powercell, Bosch plans to commercialize a fuel-cell stack. In addition to the stack, which converts hydrogen into electrical energy, Bosch is developing all the essential system components to a production-ready stage.
High-voltage solutions – greater range for hybrid and electric vehicles:
Electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids make mobility possible with zero local emissions. Bosch helps vehicle manufacturers design these kinds of powertrains and supplies the necessary systems. The e-axle combines the power electronics, electric motor, and transmission into a single unit. The efficiency of this compact module has been further optimized for greater range.
eMountain bike – making light work of tough terrain on two wheels:
Electrified mountain bikes are currently the fastest-growing segment of the eBike market. The new Bosch Performance Line CX drive system is optimized for sporty cycling and features a compact profile. Its freewheel clutch makes riding feel natural even without motor assistance.
Communication between vehicles, their surroundings, and users – Bosch is bringing seamless connectivity to mobility
Vehicles that warn each other of dangers or need no ignition key: Bosch connected mobility makes life easier for road users while increasing safety, convenience, and driving enjoyment. Operation is simple thanks to intuitive human-machine interface (HMI) solutions. A range of services tailor mobility to individual needs.
3D display – instrument display with deep-view effect:
Bosch’s new 3D display creates a convincing three-dimensional effect in the vehicle cockpit that both drivers and passengers can see. This improves visualization to assistance systems, for example the reversing camera. Drivers enjoy an even clearer overview of relevant information, such as the distance to obstacles or vehicles.
Perfectly keyless – smartphones instead of keys:
The Bosch keyless access system works with a virtual key stored on a smartphone. The system enables drivers to automatically unlock their vehicle, start the engine, and lock the car again. Sensors installed in the car recognize the owner’s smartphone as securely as a fingerprint and open the vehicle only for them, even when the smartphone battery is flat.
Gavin Smith explained the system’s backstory. “This is a solution that was conceived here in Australia and adopted globally by the parent company. The development and application work has been divided up between Australia and Germany, with Australia responsible for the hardware development,” he said.
“Bosch Australia has a strong commitment to high tech engineering, advanced manufacturing and further investment in exciting new fields,” commented Gavin Smith.
Development in Oceania
Bosch continues its growth momentum in Oceania with registered sales of AUD $950 million (601 million EUR) in the region in 2018. After a period of reshaping the business over the past few years, the company grew its sales for the fourth consecutive year.
“Oceania continues to be an important region for Bosch. We anticipate an increased demand for our products and services due to our expanding portfolio of automated and connected technology,” said Gavin Smith, President of Bosch Oceania. Bosch currently employs over 1,400 associates in Oceania, of which the Bosch Australia research and development staffing is currently over 230 positions.