Bosch recently showcased its latest solutions for connected and intelligent transportation systems at IAA Mobility 2025 in Munich, we are covering this over the next two issues.
Bosch driving assistance for more safety and convenience
Automated driving is an essential feature of software-defined vehicles. Bosch is actively pressing ahead with its development and systematically taking driver assistance systems to new levels – for greater safety and convenience. The company uses an End-to-End AI architecture: For assisted driving and parking up to SAE Level 2, Bosch offers its ADAS (advanced driver assistance system) product family in three variants: entry-level, mid-range, and premium.
Sensors for precise surround sensing:
More and more vehicles are being equipped with comprehensive driver assistance systems. This explains why high-performance and cost-effective camera solutions are becoming increasingly important. The Bosch multi-purpose camera is available as a camera-only solution, or alternatively as a new two-part system variant comprising camera head and control unit. In the camera-only solution, the entire ADAS function is installed in the camera itself, and computation is done there. This is particularly suitable for vehicles with decentralised architectures. The two-part system variant, on the other hand, is a step on the way to centralised architectures.
For its new radar sensor, Bosch has developed and manufactured all the key elements itself, including the system on a chip (SoC). Thanks to advanced semiconductor technology, the SX600 and SX601 radar sensors’ range is roughly 30 percent greater than that of comparable models.
In software-driven mobility, centralised semiconductor architectures are taking on increasing importance. They govern many sensor-based functions, including ESP, navigation, and driver assistance systems. To reduce complexity, Bosch has developed the latest generation of especially powerful MEMS inertial sensors. They can provide several systems at once with the data they need.
New standards for Bluetooth-based tire pressure sensors:
In the Bosch SMP290, safety and energy efficiency go hand in hand. With its compact design, low power consumption, long life, and one-of-a-kind integration of acceleration and pressure sensor as well as ASIC including Bluetooth on one chip, it truly stands out. Thanks to the standardised Bluetooth interface, the SMP290 also enables new applications such as direct interaction with a smartphone.
Bosch solution for damage detection:
With its small damage detection, Bosch demonstrates how to cleverly combine software and hardware. This solution uses existing vehicle components such as the airbag ECU and sensors, obviating the need for any additional hardware. And in software-defined vehicles, small damage detection can even be updated over the air. It accurately detects even minor damage to the vehicle – both while driving and when parked. Small damage detection registers shocks that are below the threshold for airbag deployment, storing the relevant data.
Act-by-wire technology: the future of vehicle control
Act-by-wire systems transmit the driver’s steering and braking commands purely electronically. They are highly relevant for software-driven mobility, especially for the personalisation of vehicle dynamics and handling, and for higher-level modes of automated driving.
New brakes and steering for greater flexibility:
Braking and steering via electrical cables (act-by-wire) opens up the possibility of new concepts for the steering wheel and brake pedal, crash-optimised design, and the more flexible positioning of components. Bosch is one of the pioneers in the development of this technology, and soon one of the first to market it. Its brake-by-wire solution, comprising a by-wire actuator and ESP, will feature in a production vehicle of a major Asian automaker. What is special about the hydraulic Bosch by-wire braking system is that it requires absolutely no mechanical connection between the brake pedal and the braking system.
Software systems solution for vehicle dynamics:
Bosch Vehicle Motion Management assumes the task of intelligently controlling actuators. This systems solution perfectly synchronises the brakes, steering, chassis, and powertrain. Thanks to a special software function, the vehicle can be transformed into a super-manoeuvrable urban vehicle, a powerful speedster, or a limousine with chauffeur-driven comfort – depending on the individual driver’s mood.
Software function against travel sickness:
Vehicle Motion Management’s “Comfort Stop” function increases comfort and counters travel sickness. The interaction of the brakes and the electric motor can reduce the jerk resulting from braking by 70 to 90 percent and gently bring the vehicle to a standstill.
The shift from decentralised to centralised vehicle architectures
Software-defined functions require a completely different setup for the electronic components and systems. Intelligence in the vehicle will be centralised in a few high-performance computers, instead of being distributed among currently sometimes more than 100 individual control units.
Powerful computers for the software-defined vehicle:
The Bosch portfolio not only includes centralised, powerful computers and state-of-the-art software, but also scalable and adaptable vehicle infrastructure. Bosch’s centralised high-performance computers and all its other components feature state-of-the-art communication interfaces.
Faster data transmission in modern vehicles:
It takes automotive ECUs just milliseconds to exchange data. The invisible backbone of this communication is the controller area network, or CAN. In vehicle architectures, such networks ensure a high level of stability, simplicity, flexibility, and cost efficiency. And with the new Bosch CAN SIC XL transceiver, they work especially fast – up to 20 Mbit/s in the case of CAN XL networks.
