ZF’s innovations for driveline, chassis, and steering systems have always kept in mind the intelligent interplay between the three.
This is because completely new functions can derive from the networking of individual systems, as is shown by the ZF Innovation Truck at its trade fair debut at the IAA 2014: The hybrid version of the TraXon automatic transmission system is combined with the Servotwin superimposed steering system and telematics solutions from Openmatics in this truck prototype.
In this way, the truck,which is more than 25 meters long incl. semitrailer and trailer, can be remotely maneuvered conveniently and safely using a tablet – and it is locally emission-free because only the electric motor in the hybrid system is active during the process.
Just how important such assistance functions could be in future generations of vehicles is underlined in FERNFAHRER, ZF’s study on the future of transport – a study the technology company will discuss with partners in Hanover.
One of the conclusions of the study is that the logistics sector will undergo greater industrialization in the future. In the light of the already noticeable shortage of drivers, truckers will in future concentrate more on the actual activity of driving. The loading and unloading on the ramp must then be separated from the actual driving activities.
