Forward-thinking has turned into fast action for Schaeffler Group, a global automotive and industrial supplier. In August, the company acquired 90 percent ownership of the drive-by-wire technology Space Drive from Paravan. The technology was initially developed to enable people with physical disabilities to steer and stop vehicles through entirely electronic means.
Only four months later, Schaeffler is already incorporating Space Drive into new systems for autonomous vehicles. The technology allows for the elimination of a vehicle’s steering wheel and pedals. Instead, the vehicles will feature digital controls like joysticks, notebooks or smartphone apps. This is possible thanks to controls that operate in nanoseconds via electrical impulses from cables and wires.
The company has installed Space Drive in its Schaeffler Mover, which has successfully been used by people with disabilities on nearly 700 million accident-free miles. The company is further developing and testing the technology to adhere to quality and safety requirements. The system has also received TÜV and road approval.
Safety has proved to be the main focus in the move toward autonomous vehicles. The Schaeffler Mover, which features triple redundancy to help ensure safety, has two safeguards in the event of a control failure.
Connectivity has also become an important element for autonomous vehicle operation. When conceptualizing its new driverless vehicles for urban settings, the company used a digital twin of the vehicle to mirror real-world use. This allowed for intensive analysis of the vehicle’s operations and condition.
“The vehicle that is rigorously designed for connected operation fills an important gap in the current portfolio of the automotive industry,” Schaeffler’s Chief Technology Officer Peter Gutzmer said.
As the company continues its work, it is keeping versatility in mind. The Schaeffler Mover is being designed to have various body styles, potentially allowing it to be used for a multitude of purposes such as a robo-taxi or autonomous delivery vehicle. The body can easily be converted and separated from the platform since only some of the sensors are integrated in the vehicle’s bodywork.
The company has also developed a counterpart for Space Drive: Schaeffer Intelligent Corner Module. The propulsion and chassis components of this vehicle are installed in a compact, space-saving assembly unit, which allows for 90-degree maneuvering. This means its Mover can be used on narrow streets, can be easily parallel parked, and can even perform on-the-spot turning. Schaeffler will showcase its Schaeffer Intelligent Corner Module at the 2019 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in January 2019.
Interested in more autonomous vehicle innovations? Check out Turning Autonomous Cars into Robot Traffic Managers and Could a Shrimp Improve the Vision of Self-Driving Cars?