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6 Media
Growth through medical technology: Bosch and Randox invest heavily in the Vivaly ...

10.04.2024

Press release

Business/economy

Growth through medical technology: Bosch and Randox invest heavily in the Vivaly ...

Crumlin, Northern Ireland / Gerlingen and Waiblingen, Germany – With many diseases, every minute counts, and determining whether a patient is presenting the symptoms of a simple cold, the flu, or something as severe as life-threatening meningitis is usually only possible after time-consuming and expensive laboratory diagnostics. With its Vivalytic analysis platform, Bosch has set itself the goal of making fast and highly precise diagnostics accessible at the point of care – and aims to use molecular diagnostics to become a leading provider in the market by 2030. To achieve this, Bosch has now agreed on a strategic partnership with Randox Laboratories Ltd., a leading diagnostic and medical technology company. The two companies will invest around 150 million euros in joint research, development, and sales activities for new tests for the Vivalytic analysis platform provided by Bosch Healthcare. One goal is the development of a sepsis IVD 1 grade test that will be the first to feature highly innovative and novel BioMEMS technology.Bosch has defined medical technology as a strategic growth field. Point-of-care molecular diagnostics is expected to become a future market worth billions. And with its Vivalytic analysis platform, Bosch aims to achieve a leading position in this market. “With cutting-edge technology from our own labs and our own production lines, we want to grow long-term together with partners in the field of precision diagnostics,” says Stefan Hartung, chairman of the Bosch board of management. “Here, our medical technology can draw considerable benefit from our diversification, from our expertise, from the groundwork we have done in automation, miniaturization, molecular diagnostics, and from our experience in microchip development and manufacturing,” Hartung adds. “We are investing long-term in an exciting high-tech growth field and continuously developing it together with partners. With technology ‘Invented for life’, we can relieve the burden on medical professionals and help make the diagnose and treatment of disease faster”. With cutting-edge technology from our own labs and our own production lines, we want to grow long-term together with partners in the field of precision diagnostics.... Stefan Hartung, chairman of the Bosch board of management Shared growth: decentralized diagnostics at the point of care Bosch Healthcare Solutions and Randox are now joining forces in an attempt to accelerate the development and market launch of new tests and to make distribution channels more efficient. The partnership is set to run for more than ten years. With Vivalytic, the two companies aim to achieve sales in the medium nine-figure range by 2030. “Globally, healthcare is moving toward decentralized and personalized diagnostics, that enable rapid interventions and individual treatment plans,” says Marc Meier, managing director of Bosch Healthcare Solutions GmbH. “With our partner Randox, we want to further expand the test portfolio of our Vivalytic analysis device. Our fully automated molecular-diagnostic PCR tests provide clarity directly at the site of sample collection, shorten waiting times, and take the strain off the healthcare system,” Meier adds. Globally, healthcare is moving toward decentralized and personalized diagnostics, that enable rapid interventions and individual treatment plans....Marc Meier, managing director of Bosch Healthcare Solutions GmbH The two partners are a good fit: Bosch can contribute its technology and manufacturing expertise across the fields of molecular diagnostics, microchip development and manufacturing, and miniaturization. The universal Vivalytic platform for molecular diagnostics was developed in over ten years by Bosch researchers and brought to market maturity by Bosch Healthcare Solutions. Randox has 40 years of experience in the design and development of highly sensitive IVD tests performed on a variety of technologies, including microfluidic platforms. In combination with the company’s extensive market knowledge and global sales and distribution network, this adds up to considerable opportunities for growth. “Randox has always been committed to improving health worldwide and sees the need to invest in research and development initiatives that will support clinical decision making across a variety of disease areas. Diagnostics has always been an indispensable component of healthcare, and the alignment of both science and technology makes for the perfect fit in an area for high potential impact, especially in pressure-driven environments,” says Dr. Peter Fitzgerald, Managing Director of Randox Laboratories Ltd. Bosch Healthcare Solutions and Randox already collaborated during the Covid-19 pandemic. In spring 2020, Bosch launched one of the world’s first fully automated PCR tests for the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. Together with Randox, the rapid test for use in doctor’s offices, nursing homes, testing stations, and hospitals was made ready for the Vivalytic analysis device within the space of just a few weeks. Development goal: sepsis test based on BioMEMS technology One focus of the development partnership with Randox is the implementation of a highly sensitive multiplex 2 test for sepsis on the Vivalytic analysis platform. Sepsis, also known as “blood poisoning,” is a potentially life-threatening complication 3 that can occur in conjunction with various infectious diseases. A medical emergency that can lead to multiple organ failure, it requires immediate medical treatment. The planned IVD grade sepsis test is to be based for the first time on the highly innovative and novel BioMEMS technology developed by teams from Bosch corporate research in Renningen and Bosch Healthcare Solutions in Waiblingen. “We have set ourselves the ambitious goal of adding the functions of a high-performance silicon chip based on microsystems technology to our test cartridges for the Vivalytic platform. In doing so, we will combine Bosch’s unique expertise in the areas of MEMS chips, molecular diagnostics, and microfluidics,” Marc Meier says. “Clinical outcomes in sepsis depend on timely diagnosis and appropriate early therapeutic intervention. Current methods of sepsis diagnosis are insufficient and time-consuming. With over 10 years of experience in the field of infectious diseases diagnostics, we aim to develop a state-of-the-art sepsis test using the highly multiplexing BioMEMS technology. Such a test could revolutionize sepsis diagnosis, ultimately leading to improved treatment outcomes and lower mortality rates from this life-threatening condition,” says Dr. Peter Fitzgerald. Smaller and faster: from microfluidics to nanofluidics – thanks to BioMEMS The powerful BioMEMS chip adds a further innovative analysis method to the Vivalytic test cartridge, enabling it to test simultaneously and significantly faster for a large number of different pathogens. It is called BioMEMS because it combines microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) with microfluidics for applications in the field of medical technology. In microfluidics, very small amounts of fluid in the microliter range are moved in a very small space. Miniaturization allows qualitative biochemical polymerase chain reactions (PCR) to run in parallel in real-time on a single BioMEMS chip. “Compared to previous PCR reactions, the volumes of liquids are reduced by a factor of 1,000 to the nanoliter range. The analysis of liquids is left to a small microchip,” Marc Meier explains. With the new BioMEMS technology, fully automatic testing of up to 250 genetic characteristics 4 (e.g. pathogens) in one cartridge is possible in less than 15 minutes in some cases. The test cartridge is a highly complex laboratory the size of a smartphone, so to speak. Another future advantage of BioMEMS will be simpler and faster adaptation of new tests or existing tests on the chip itself. For example, existing tests can easily be expanded to include additional features. “The BioMEMS technology paves the way for us to move into nanofluidics, where each pathogen will be examined in a reaction vessel the thickness of a hair,” Meier says. To achieve this, Bosch wants to create more capacity on a MEMS chip and expand it what are known as “nanocavities”. Thanks to these very small cavities, even more biochemical processes will be able to run in parallel on a chip. With increasing miniaturization, the technology has potential to be used in oncology as well over the long term. The BioMEMS chips are to be manufactured at the Bosch semiconductor plant in Reutlingen, with bio-integration and cartridge assembly to be carried out at Bosch Healthcare Solutions in Waiblingen. The BioMEMS technology paves the way for us to move into nanofluidics, where each pathogen will be examined in a reaction vessel the thickness of a hair....Marc Meier, managing director of Bosch Healthcare Solutions GmbH Vivalytic platform: easy application at the point of sample collection The advantages of carrying out PCR tests on the Bosch Vivalytic platform lie not only in speedy analysis, but also in the ease of use: Once the sample has been taken, it is placed in the test cartridge. The cartridge, which contains all the necessary reagents for the respective test, is then inserted into the Vivalytic analyser for automated evaluation. Medical staff require only brief training on how to operate it. This enables fast and targeted diagnostics directly at the point of sample collection – either at the doctor’s office or in the hospital – without the often long and time-consuming detour via a central laboratory. Bosch Healthcare Solutions already distributes various tests for diseases of the upper and lower respiratory tract, such as SARS-CoV-2 – also as a pooling variant and as a saliva test – or a test to differentiate between SARS-CoV-2, RSV virus and influenza. There are also tests for pathogens that cause sexually transmitted infections (STI) and MRSA / SA (“hospital germ”). Starting in summer, it is planned to expand the portfolio with tests for whooping cough (Bordetella holmesii, Bordetella parapertussis, and Bordetella bronchiseptica), urinary tract infections (UTI), bacterial meningitis, the two most common sexually transmitted diseases (Chlamydia trachomatis; CT and Neisseria gonorrhoeae; NG), fungal infections (Candida auris), and three tests for diarrheal diseases (norovirus, Clostridioides difficile, HSP).1 In in vitro diagnostic tests, samples such as blood or saliva are taken from the human body to be analyzed. 2 High-multiplex test means that a PCR test can test for a large number of pathogens simultaneously. In comparison, a multiplex test can detect up to 50 pathogens and a lowplex / single test up to 10 pathogens. 3 With around 50 million cases of sepsis and 11 million fatalities per year, sepsis is responsible for around 20 percent of all fatalities worldwide. [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31954465/]. 4 Genetic characteristics can be used to detect pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites, as well as their resistance to drugs, or to identify genetic mutations in tumors.Explore more PCR rapid test for Candida auris for Vivalytic by Bosch now available.

Business/economy
World Asthma Day 2021: Asthma sufferers would welcome more digital solutions, Bo ...

04.05.2021

Press release

Business/economy

World Asthma Day 2021: Asthma sufferers would welcome more digital solutions, Bo ...

1. Asthma – a common disease The Global Asthma Network estimates that there are some 339 million asthma sufferers worldwide, which makes this respiratory disease one of the most frequent chronic health conditions. Moreover, a further 100 million people are expected to contract this condition by 2025. In Germany alone, 3.5 million people are receiving medical treatment for asthma – 4.2 percent of the population. Asthma does not just mean restrictions in sufferers’ private lives. Hospitalization, visits to physicians, and drugs, not to mention the loss of labor productivity, mean that the economic burden of such a chronic disease is considerable. Between 1999 and 2002, the total cost incurred by 15- to 69-year-old Europeans came to some 19.3 billion euros. According to the Global Asthma Network, treatment of this condition focuses on monitoring asthma symptoms and avoiding asthmatic attacks. The Bosch subsidiary Bosch Healthcare Solutions offers asthmatics support in the shape of its Vivatmo me breath-gas analyzer. This device allows them to monitor themselves at home and to detect a worsening of their condition at an early stage. By using what is known as FeNO or NO testing, the analyzer relies on a new examination method that allows patients to accurately determine the level of inflammation themselves. The findings can be documented in an app and shared with a doctor.2. Asthmatics would welcome digital solutions for self-testing More and more patients are demanding that digital solutions be used in medical treatment. The opinion research company Civey recently carried out a representative online survey of 1,000 respondents for Bosch Healthcare Solutions. More than half the respondents (52 percent) said that, in the case of asthma, they would welcome modern digital aids such as apps to help them keep track of the course of their condition. At 62 percent, the willingness to self-monitor is particularly high among 40- to 49-year-olds. On average, the desire for more medical test devices for the home is also higher in this demographic. 3. FeNO or NO tests as a new monitoring method What are known as FeNO or NO tests are a new method for monitoring the treatment of asthma. They allow patients to test the level of an inflammation marker in their lungs. The inflammation associated with asthma causes the production of nitric oxide (NO) in the mucus membranes of the respiratory tract. The amount of this gas can be measured as fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO). The higher the NO level, the more severe the inflammation. In healthy adults, the FeNO level is generally less than 25 ppb (parts per billion). FeNO levels of more than 50 ppb are a symptom of an acute allergic airway inflammation: “We have been measuring FeNO levels in daily practice since the first measurement devices came onto the market. Our experience with allergic asthma patients has been very positive. In this context, self-testing improves compliance, and helps patients and physicians to understand each other better,” says the lung specialist Dr. Michael Barczok, who also co-founded the lung center in Ulm, Germany. Bosch Healthcare Solutions’ measuring device Vivatmo me allows asthmatics to measure their NO levels at any time and in any place. It is the world's first FeNO meter for home use. 4. FeNO and NO tests still relatively unknown in asthma treatment For patients, NO tests are both stress-free and simple to perform. Although they are available to patients in Germany, they are not covered by statutory health insurance programs. The latest German national treatment guidelines also list the determination of fractional exhaled nitric oxide as part of the initial diagnostic procedure for asthma, and recommend repeated testing. Nonetheless, many patients have never heard of this method for monitoring asthma. To their knowledge, only 20 percent of those who keep themselves regularly informed about asthma have had a FeNO test, the Bosch survey found. Half (49 percent) of the respondents have never been given a FeNO or NO test by their doctor. And when asked about this test, a further 31 percent gave no reply or had never heard of it. 5. Closely meshed treatment can positively influence course of disease The Bosch survey suggests that half the respondents are satisfied with their medical care and value personal contact with their physician. Vivatmo me helps patient-physician communication by digitally managing test results in an asthma diary app and sharing them with the physician as required. The app has already won an award, the PneumoDigital quality seal, for its user-friendliness. “By using Vivatmo me to monitor their results themselves, asthmatics can regain control over their condition and get a better idea of what their ‘invisible enemy’ – airway inflammation – is up to. For many asthma sufferers, this is a crucial step toward dealing better with their disease and getting a grip on it,” says Dr. Michael Barczok, when asked about his experience with Vivatmo me and its digital treatment approach. Close monitoring of inflammation levels via FeNO measurement has a positive impact on potential asthma in pregnant women's children as well. According to an Australian study, a medical diagnosis of asthma in these children was reduced by almost 50 percent by preschool age. 6. Nearly 40 percent of respondents have reservations about corticosteroids The German national guidelines for asthma treatment set out a phased plan for the treatment of adult asthma. The use of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) is common to each phase. Nearly 40 percent of those polled on behalf of Bosch expressed their reservations about the use of corticosteroids in asthma treatment. These reservations become stronger with increasing age. Vivatmo me gives patients a clear idea of the course of their illness. Deterioration can be detected early on and treated in time with their physician. “The fight against asthma will not be won with beta agonists and corticosteroids. I believe it makes more sense to intervene earlier and, through continuous treatment in close consultation with the patient, to prevent acute symptoms from appearing in the first place,” says Barczok, summing up the benefits of close monitoring. 7. Vivatmo me available in Germany and Austria Vivatmo me has been available in Germany and Austria since March 2020. In a next step, it is planned to obtain approval in other markets, such as the United States. The development of the Vivatmo system was able to draw on the Bosch Group’s experience and core competencies in sensor and microsystems technology, miniaturization, algorithm development, smart connectivity, and the manufacture of highly precise, complex products that meet the company’s exacting quality standards.

Business/economy
Bosch Hemoglobin Monitor: Early detection of anemia without blood tests

11.01.2021

Press release

Business/economy

Bosch Hemoglobin Monitor: Early detection of anemia without blood tests

Bengaluru, India / Waiblingen, Germany – According to estimations by the WHO 1.6 billion people suffer from Anemia, a condition resulting from the reduced hemoglobin concentration in the blood. This has prompted the WHO to define the fight against anemia as one of its critical sustainable development goals for 2025. Bosch has developed a portable Hemoglobin Monitor Solution (HMS) especially for regions where routine access to medical care tends to be difficult. This HMS allows a large number of people to be screened for anemia rapidly, safely, using a non-invasive approach. The solution has been named a CES Innovation Award Honoree in the “Health and Wellness” category. “Bosch has developed the non-invasive Hemoglobin monitor as an innovative solution and as an alternative to traditional methods for the early detection of anemia. This should offer people better diagnosis options even in resource constrained conditions. The use of artificial intelligence is revolutionizing anemia management, specifically in point-of-care setups and closer to the patient”, explains Dattatri Salagame, President and Managing Director of Robert Bosch Engineering and Business Solutions Private Limited (RBEI). Bosch has developed the non-invasive Hemoglobin monitor as an innovative solution and as an alternative to traditional methods for the early detection of anemia. This should offer people better diagnosis options even in resource constrained conditions. The use of artificial intelligence is revolutionizing anemia management, specifically in point-of-care setups and closer to the patient....Dattatri Salagame, President and Managing Director of Robert Bosch Engineering and Business Solutions Private Limited (RBEI) Hemoglobin is a protein found in red blood cells and is responsible for carrying oxygen and carbon dioxide throughout the body. People with a low hemoglobin count may experience symptoms such as general fatigue, weakness, pale skin, and even serious illnesses. Anemia particularly affects women, even more so when they are pregnant, and also people suffering from malnutrition. In cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy or in palliative care, hemoglobin levels should be checked regularly. Hemoglobin results in 30 seconds using a non-invasive AI measurement The intelligent solution by Bosch is designed for use directly at the point-of-care and is completely pain-free with no need for a blood test, as the value is determined by a finger scanner using multi-wavelength spectrophotometry on the surface of the skin. The system uses an optical sensor to precisely and reliably measure the photoplethysmogram (PPG) signals. Photoplethysmography, or PPG, is an optical technique used to detect volumetric changes in blood in peripheral circulation. The device provides a reliable result within 30 seconds even for low hemoglobin concentrations. This is where machine learning comes in: the device’s algorithm monitors the wavelength of the light and uses 27 different characteristics to determine and classify the hemoglobin value. The algorithm has been trained with more than 10,000 anemia data points. These clinically collected data along with the corresponding ground truth data, are the basis for the machine learning algorithm. The more validated data sets are put into the continuously learning algorithm, the more precise the results will be. Lab-free results without risk of infection A laboratory analysis is not necessary and there is no risk of infection from contaminated needles. Participants receive their test results quickly at the point of care. The device is battery operated, does not need subsequent calibration, and is extremely easy to use. It is intended for use in outlying and remote regions by healthcare professionals. Location-based reporting ensures easy clinical traceability. Organizations that operate multiple devices can draw conclusions through heat maps about specific regions. Patient data remains anonymous. Market release in India is expected by mid-2021.

Business/economy
Bosch’s rapid coronavirus test delivers results for positive samples in less tha ...

18.12.2020

Press release

Business/economy

Bosch’s rapid coronavirus test delivers results for positive samples in less tha ...

Stuttgart, Germany – Thanks to improved software for the Vivalytic analysis device, the Bosch rapid coronavirus test, which uses polymerase chain reactions (PCR), now delivers its results even faster. By applying optimized evaluation strategies, the Vivalytic analysis device can detect a positive sample through its high viral load in less than 30 minutes, right where the sample is collected. “In the fight to contain the coronavirus pandemic, speed is of the essence. With Vivalytic, we are delivering cutting-edge medical technology. Our IT and software expertise have helped to make the Bosch Corona test for positive samples even faster – all within a short period of time,” says Dr. Volkmar Denner, chairman of the board of management of Robert Bosch GmbH. This modified product is part of a research and development project relating specifically to Covid-19, funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) to the tune of 4.97 million euros. The project’s aim is to expand the options for detecting acute infections of the coronavirus, looking particularly at on-the-spot testing in which the sample is analyzed in a fully automatic PCR process, as this offers rapid yet reliable results. In the fight to contain the coronavirus pandemic, speed is of the essence. With Vivalytic, we are delivering cutting-edge medical technology. Our IT and software expertise have helped to make the Bosch Corona test for positive samples even faster – all within a short period of time....Dr. Volkmar Denner, chairman of the board of management of Robert Bosch GmbH The turnaround time for samples negative for SARS-CoV-2 is still 39 minutes. PCR tests are considered the gold standard, and Bosch’s rapid coronavirus tests have a sensitivity of 98 percent and a specificity of 100 percent. They are already available in 26 countries, mostly in Europe. “To meet the high demand, we launched two new production lines at our headquarters in Waiblingen in December,” says Marc Meier, president of Bosch Healthcare Solutions. “In total, we were able to create more than 80 new jobs this year, some of which have been filled by associates from Bosch's mobility division,” Marc Meier continues.Update from the cloud platform Vivasuite The new update is available for the SARS-CoV-2 singleplex test and the SARS-CoV-2 pooled test. Updating the Vivalytic testing devices is simple and straightforward – all that is required is an internet connection to access the Bosch cloud platform Vivasuite. Developed in-house at Bosch, the Vivasuite cloud platform allows users to digitally manage and update all their Bosch Healthcare Solutions devices. This is also an advantage when Vivalytic devices are in use in the field. The platform meets the strictest security standards and data privacy is guaranteed at all times: for example, there is no remote access to Vivalytic devices, and no possibility of accessing patient data.

Business/economy
Bosch’s new rapid coronavirus test delivers reliable results in 39 minutes

25.09.2020

Press release

Business/economy

Bosch’s new rapid coronavirus test delivers reliable results in 39 minutes

Stuttgart, Germany – Bosch has developed a new rapid test for its Vivalytic analysis device to detect the SARS-CoV-2 pathogen. The test provides a reliable result in 39 minutes and is currently the fastest polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test worldwide. Bosch’s new rapid test is predestined for decentralized use in mobile test centers at freeway service stations or in airports. People who take the test can obtain a reliable result while at the testing site. Available now in Europe, the CE-approved test helps avoid time in quarantine, relieve laboratories, and make travel and work safer again. “One of the keys to fighting the coronavirus pandemic is to rapidly identify sources of infection. That’s why we focused on following up on our first coronavirus test with an even faster one,” says Dr. Volkmar Denner, chairman of the board of management of Robert Bosch GmbH. “This will now enable us to put people’s minds at ease even more quickly.” One of the keys to fighting the coronavirus pandemic is to rapidly identify sources of infection. That’s why we focused on following up on our first coronavirus test with an even faster one....Dr. Volkmar Denner, chairman of the board of management of Robert Bosch GmbH The development of the new Bosch PCR singleplex test is part of a research and development project funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). As the federal minister for education and research Anja Karliczek says, “I believe it’s important that people have clarity about their state of health as quickly as possible. In this respect, insights from science and research can bring people huge benefits. Over the next few months, we will be confronted with the particular challenge of having to test more people. The improved testing procedure developed by Bosch with the BMBF’s support has the potential to be a tremendous help with this complex job. The rapid improvement of our technological capabilities shows what innovative achievements German companies can deliver in times of crisis.” The test has a sensitivity of 98 percent and a specificity of 100 percent. To develop it, the Bosch subsidiary Bosch Healthcare Solutions joined forces with the German biotechnology company R-Biopharm – a leading provider of highly sensitive manual PCR tests. PCR tests are considered the gold standard of test methods.A world first: simultaneous testing of five samples Bosch launched the first rapid test for its Vivalytic analysis device at the end of March, after just six weeks’ development. As a multiplex test, it simultaneously checks samples for the SARS-CoV-2 virus and nine other respiratory diseases in two and a half hours. The new, accelerated test is exclusively for SARS-CoV-2. “With our different coronavirus tests and variable analysis strategies, we open up a range of testing scenarios with a Vivalytic device – from screening all the way to supporting differential diagnosis for diseases with similar symptoms,” says Marc Meier, president of Bosch Healthcare Solutions GmbH. And development work is still in full swing at Bosch: As of early October 2020, it will be possible to simultaneously evaluate five samples in one test cartridge and at a comparable speed – a world first, according to the company. Bosch is thus increasing available testing capacity, enabling fully automated processing of more than 160 samples a day using a Vivalytic device. In addition, optimized software will in the next few weeks further reduce the time to result of the SARS-CoV-2 test on positive samples. Vivalytic analysis device: easy to use at the test site The advantages of Bosch’s rapid test lie not only in speedy analysis, but also in ease of use. A sample is taken from the patient’s nose or throat using a swab, and placed in the test cartridge. Then the test cartridge, which already contains all the reagents required for the test, is inserted into the Vivalytic device for automated analysis. The Vivalytic analysis device is designed to be user-friendly; medical staff require only brief training on how to operate it. The development of the Vivalytic system, which consists of an analysis device and test cartridges, grew out of a long-standing collaboration between Bosch’s corporate research and advance engineering and Bosch Healthcare Solutions. By the end of the year, Bosch wants to reach capacity for one million tests. As demand for the analysis device and the rapid tests remains high, the company is working closely with its suppliers to maximize capacity and further increase supply.

Business/economy
CES 2020: Bosch raises the bar when it comes to artificial intelligence

06.01.2020

Press release

Business/economy

CES 2020: Bosch raises the bar when it comes to artificial intelligence

Las Vegas, NV, USA – Whether for automated driving, the smart home, or manufacturing: artificial intelligence (AI) has become an integral part of everyday life. Bosch uses AI and the internet of things (IoT) to make life easier for people and as safe as possible. Here, the slogan “Beneficial AI. Building trust together” sums up the technology and services company’s approach. The focus is on safe and robust AI for the manufacture of smart products, which Bosch will be showcasing at this year’s CES. One of these products is the Virtual Visor: an AI-based digital vehicle sun visor that will be making its debut at the world’s largest trade fair for consumer electronics. The product has also won a CES® Innovation Award, as has Bosch’s 3D display for the car.Other Bosch AI highlights at the show include an application for predictive maintenance of the International Space Station, a system for monitoring vehicle interiors, and a smart platform for medical diagnostics. “The solutions we’re showcasing at CES make it clear that Bosch aims to become an innovation leader in AI as well,” says Bosch management board member Michael Bolle. “As of 2025, every Bosch product will either contain artificial intelligence or will have been developed or manufactured with the help of AI.” The global market volume for AI applications is expected to be around 120 billion dollars over that same period, a twelvefold increase compared to 2018 (source: Tractica ). Bosch wants to tap into that potential: the company already invests 3.7 billion euros each year in software development, currently employs more than 30,000 software engineers, and has 1,000 associates working on AI. In addition, Bosch has established a comprehensive training program. “We plan to make nearly 20,000 associates AI-savvy over the next two years,” Bolle explains. “We must invest not only in artificial intelligence, but in human intelligence as well.” The program includes training formats at three different levels for managers, engineers, and AI developers and includes guidelines for using AI responsibly. To that end, Bosch has drawn up its own set of AI principles that address issues of AI security and ethics. With this in combination with its expertise, the company intends to build trust with customers and partners alike: “Anyone who has internalized technical and ethical principles knows how important data security and sovereignty are,” Bolle says. “In a way, trust is the product quality of the digital world.”Expertise saves lives In the future, Bosch believes one core area of expertise will be the industrial application of artificial intelligence. “We want to harness the power of artificial intelligence not for the purpose of creating models of human behavior, but instead to improve technology to benefit people,” Bolle says. “For this reason, industrial AI has to be safe, robust, and explainable.” According to Bosch, that means people should always remain in control, whether on the street, at home, or in manufacturing. As a pioneer in the development of life-saving driver safety systems such as ABS, ESP, and airbag control units, the company has already proved in the past that people benefit from reliable machines. AI can also make driver assistance systems even more efficient and intelligent: when Bosch’s AI camera for automated driving identifies partially concealed pedestrians, for example, the automatic emergency braking assistant can react even more reliably. Bosch is creating learning technology that is “Invented for life.”Bosch invests 100 million euros in an AI campus Innovations require investment. In addition to spending on software development, Bosch is investing worldwide in people and in competence centers. For example, the company is investing 100 million euros in the construction of a new AI campus in Tübingen, Germany. The move into the new research complex is planned for the end of 2022. It will then offer some 700 AI experts space for creative and productive exchange. These experts come from Bosch, external startups, and public research institutions. The new campus should strengthen exchange among experts in Cyber Valley. “Building trust together” will be a living reality there. Bosch is a founding member of Cyber Valley , which was established in 2016. This joint research venture brings together partners from industry, academia, and government to drive forward AI research and quickly transfer research findings into real-world industrial applications. In addition, the Bosch Center for Artificial Intelligence (BCAI) operates at seven locations worldwide, including two in the U.S.: in Sunnyvale, California and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The BCAI currently has a total of some 250 AI specialists working on more than 150 projects in the domains of mobility, manufacturing, smart homes, and agriculture.World-first Virtual Visor originated in the U.S. Bosch has creative AI minds developing product innovations for mobility, the smart home, and Industry 4.0. Its AI world first for the automotive sector, which is celebrating its world premiere in Las Vegas, originated in the U.S.: the Virtual Visor, which is a transparent digital sun visor. A transparent LCD display connected to the interior monitoring camera detects the position of the driver’s eyes. Using intelligent algorithms, the Virtual Visor analyzes this information and darkens only the portion of the windshield through which the sun would dazzle the driver. The Virtual Visor scored the highest in its category at the CES Best of Innovation Awards. Bosch’s new 3D display won its category as well. Using passive 3D technology, the display generates a realistic three-dimensional effect for images and alerts. This allows visual information to be grasped faster than when displayed on conventional screens, increasing road safety. Additional safety comes from Bosch’s new interior monitoring system for vehicles. It detects when the driver is drowsy or looks at a smartphone based on eyelid movements, direction of gaze, and head position – and alerts the driver to critical situations. It also monitors the vehicle interior to determine how many occupants are present and where and in what position they are sitting. This makes it possible to optimize the operation of safety systems such as the airbags in an emergency. In 2019, Bosch sales of driver assistance systems rose by 12 percent to around 2 billion euros. They are paving the way for automated driving. In the future, when vehicles are in partially automated driving mode for sections of the journey such as on the freeway, the driver monitoring system will become an indispensable partner: In these situations, the camera will ensure that the driver can safely take the wheel again at any time. By 2022, the company will have spent around 4 billion euros on automated driving and will employ more than 5,000 engineers. To round out its sensor portfolio in this domain, Bosch is now working on making lidar sensors production-ready as well. In addition to radar and cameras, lidar is the third essential sensor technology. The Bosch long-range lidar sensor can also detect non-metallic objects at a great distance, such as rocks on the road.Bosch AI used in space and in medicine The company is aiming high with its SoundSee sensor system, which was sent into space at the end of 2019. Riding on NASA’s autonomous flying Astrobee robot, SoundSee will isolate unusual sounds on the ISS, analyze the audio using AI-driven analytics, and indicate when maintenance is necessary. Starting in early 2020, audio data captured by Soundsee will be delivered to a ground control facility configured to meet NASA specifications and built into the Bosch Research Center in Pittsburgh, PA. The system, which is barely bigger than a lunchbox, was developed in the U.S. together with Astrobotic as part of a NASA research collaboration.A completely earthbound but no less innovative product is Vivalution, a smart pathology platform that helps in medical diagnosis. Vivalution magnifies specimens like blood and other bodily fluids, digitizing the microscopic findings, and analyzing them with the help of artificial intelligence-powered algorithms. It is capable of precisely and rapidly identifying cell anomalies and providing physicians with useful support in evaluation and diagnosis.Smartglasses Light Drive make everyday glasses smart Bosch is also showcasing many non-AI innovations at CES. For example, its Light Drive smartglasses module is the world’s first sensor-based solution for making a normal pair of glasses smart. It is more than one-third thinner than other solutions on the market and weighs less than ten grams. The crystal-clear images projected into the wearer’s field of vision, which are clearly discernible even in direct sunlight, range from navigation information and text messages to calendar entries and operating instructions – depending on the information received from a smartphone or smartwatch. At CES, Bosch is using its IoT shuttle technology showpiece to present the solutions that the company offers automakers and mobility service providers for the electrification, automation, connectivity, and personalization of ridesharing vehicles. Its portfolio goes beyond components to include seamlessly connected mobility services that give users flexibility in how they operate, manage, charge, and maintain their fleet vehicles, as well as making each journey safe. At the Bosch booth, visitors can also see improved drive and sensor technologies for the connected and emissions-free mobility of the future.Solutions for the entire house: expanded portfolio for residential IoT Bosch is expanding the scope of its services for the residential internet of things (IoT). The highlight here is the open Home Connect platform, which is being showcased at CES. Starting in mid-2020, the platform’s app will also offer control of lighting and shade, entertainment, and smart gardening equipment from different manufacturers. The number of partner companies, which is currently at 40, is set to more than double, making life at home even more convenient and efficient.Smart technology protects the environment Underlying all these innovative products is Bosch’s entrepreneurial mindset. “We want to harmonize commercial, environmental, and social responsibility,” Bolle says. Climate protection is also a major concern here. According to Bolle, “Bosch not only develops environmentally friendly solutions, but also acts as a role model. By the end of 2020, all our 400 locations worldwide will be climate neutral and from development to manufacturing to administration no longer leave a carbon footprint. We’ve already achieved this for our German locations.” Artificial intelligence plays a role here, too: at individual locations, for example, an in-house energy platform uses intelligent algorithms to identify deviations in energy consumption. This alone has enabled some plants to reduce their CO2 emissions by more than 10 percent over the past two years. Considering that Bosch operates a total of 270 such plants, the savings potential is enormous. As Bolle explains, “That’s how we sum up our message at CES: Bosch has big plans for AI in many respects.”

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