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12.10.2020

Press release

Automated mobility

Stuttgart airport set to welcome fully automated and driverless parking

Stuttgart, Germany – Automated parking to drive down the airport stress: Bosch, Mercedes-Benz, and the parking garage operator Apcoa want to introduce driverless and fully automated parking at Stuttgart airport in the future. To this end, the automated valet parking (AVP) system co-developed by Bosch and Mercedes-Benz is to be made ready for commercial operation. The new Mercedes-Benz S-Class is already geared up to accommodate it as the world’s first production vehicle to feature the technology required for future infrastructure-based AVP. As an option, customers can buy the appropriate pre-installation for what the company calls the INTELLIGENT PARK PILOT, which makes the S-Class capable of receiving a smartphone command to drive itself to a reserved parking space. “With the new S-Class, it’s not just driving that’s a luxury, but parking as well,” says Dr. Michael Hafner, head of automated driving at Mercedes-Benz AG. The P6 parking garage at Stuttgart airport will serve as the pilot for the planned commercial automated parking service. Here, the companies will test how the vehicle technology onboard the S-Class interacts with the intelligent Bosch infrastructure and APCOA FLOW, the digital platform provided by the parking garage operator Apcoa. This platform makes the whole parking process ticketless and cashless. “Apcoa, Bosch, Mercedes-Benz, and Stuttgart airport want to work together to make parking fully automatic,” says Christoph Hartung, member of the executive management of Connected Mobility Solutions at Bosch. In the airport parking garage, preparations are currently underway to begin piloting the planned automated valet parking service. The aim of this trial with new S-Class vehicles at Stuttgart airport is to ensure that interactions between the vehicle, infrastructure technology, and parking garage operator run smoothly and are optimized for the customer.World’s first Level 4 park function in a production vehicle In July 2019, Bosch and Mercedes-Benz received the world’s first special permit to operate AVP for selected E-Class vehicles without a safety driver in real-life, mixed parking garage traffic at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart. Equipped with the appropriate pre-installation for the INTELLIGENT PARK PILOT, the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class is now the first production vehicle to feature AVP technology, which enables it to park without a driver. However, this is conditional on the future availability of parking garages with the appropriate infrastructure, as well as on national legislators giving AVP the green light. This makes the Mercedes-Benz S-Class the world’s first vehicle to feature a pre-installation for an SAE Level 4 automated driving function, the second-highest level of automation. “With automated valet parking, Mercedes-Benz is demonstrating that driverless parking will soon be possible,” Hafner says. To facilitate this new one-touch parking function, a spacious drop-off and pick-up area will be set up directly behind the entrance to the P6 parking garage, giving AVP users a convenient place to leave their vehicles. As they comfortably make their way to the terminal and check in, their S-Class will park itself in the basement, guided by information from the infrastructure technology. In other words, users no longer need to worry about maneuvering or having to squeeze out of their cars when the space they have finally found proves to be too narrow. “Automated valet parking really enhances our passengers’ comfort and convenience and saves them time, especially when they’re in a hurry and just want to drop their car off quickly at the airport”, says Walter Schoefer, management spokesman for Flughafen Stuttgart GmbH. For the test phase that is about to start, P6 will initially have two spaces available for self-parking vehicles. More spaces will be added when driverless parking becomes standard as planned in the future and as demand increases. Intelligent infrastructure and digital platforms The pilot parking garage at Stuttgart airport will be a premiere for new Bosch video cameras that can identify vacant parking spaces, monitor the driving aisle and its surroundings, and detect obstacles or people in the aisle. Until now, lidar sensors have been used for this purpose. A dedicated control center in the parking garage then calculates the route the vehicles need to take to reach an available space. “Our intelligent parking garage infrastructure forms the basis for the future of driverless parking,” Hartung says. Thanks to the information that the cameras provide, it is also possible for cars to drive themselves around the parking garage – even on narrow ramps, enabling them to move between different stories. The in-vehicle technology autonomously converts the information from the infrastructure into driving maneuvers. If the cameras detect an unexpected obstacle, for example, the vehicle safely performs an emergency stop. APCOA FLOW, the parking garage operator Apcoa’s digital platform, will also play a key role in driverless parking at Stuttgart airport. Drivers are already using the platform to help lighten the burden of parking. This ranges from making firm reservations for a parking space, to contactless entry into the parking garage, and to fully automated payment, invoicing, and contactless exit. The system recognizes the customer’s vehicle and the barriers open automatically, making a ticket and trip to the ticket machine redundant. “We want to be the first parking garage operator to fully support and enable automated parking services based on AVP technology in one of our parking garages,” says Frank van der Sant, chief commercial officer at Apcoa Parking Holdings GmbH. More vehicles, more parking garages A vehicle drop-off and collection service saves time and avoids long walks to the car: once parking garages are equipped with the appropriate infrastructure and national laws permit AVP, customers will be able to enjoy driverless parking services. Bosch and Mercedes-Benz are paving the way for this with the world’s first infrastructure-based solution for SAE Level 4 automated valet parking in real-life, mixed parking garage traffic. Uniform standards and interfaces ensure smooth communication between the vehicles and infrastructure technology. In the future, Bosch’s aim is to equip more and more parking garages with AVP infrastructure technology. As Europe’s largest parking garage operator, Apcoa also has a strategic interest in offering innovative premium services like AVP in more of its parking garages. “Looking ahead, we want to open up AVP to more customers at selected Apcoa locations,” van der Sant says. The company manages approximately 1.5 million individual parking spaces at over 9,500 locations in 13 European countries. By increasing the availability of driverless and fully automated parking services, the same amount of space could accommodate up to 20 percent more vehicles. In addition, driverless parking is especially suitable for narrow, remote, and therefore unattractive parking areas that people would otherwise avoid.

Automated mobility

04.09.2019

Press release

Automated mobility

Bosch extends the service life of electric-vehicle batteries

Stress makes cells age faster. Something that geneticists have long since demonstrated for the human body is also true for electric-vehicle battery cells. The older the batteries get, the lower their performance and capacity, and the shorter the range of the vehicle. To help batteries last longer, Bosch is developing new cloud services that supplement the individual vehicles’ battery-management systems. “Bosch is connecting electric-vehicle batteries with the cloud. Its data-based services mean we can substantially improve batteries’ performance and extend their service life,” says Dr. Markus Heyn, member of the board of management of Robert Bosch GmbH. Smart software functions in the cloud continually analyze the battery status and take appropriate action to prevent or slow down cell aging. These measures can reduce the wear and tear on the battery, the most expensive component of an electric vehicle, by as much as 20 percent. Real-time data gathered from the vehicle and its surroundings plays a key role here. The cloud services utilize this data to optimize every single recharging process and to provide drivers with tailored driving tips on how to conserve battery power via the dash display. Bosch calls the new service Battery in the Cloud, and its first customer is DiDi, China’s leading provider of mobility services.Precise real-time analysis According to experts, the average service life of today’s lithium-ion batteries is 810 years or between 500 and 1,000 charge cycles. Battery makers usually guarantee mileage of between 100,000 and 160,000 kilometers. But rapid battery charging, high numbers of charge cycles, an overly sporty driving style, and extremely high or low ambient temperatures are all sources of stress for batteries, which makes them age faster. Bosch’s cloud-based services are designed to recognize – and counter – these stress triggers. All battery-relevant data – e.g. current ambient temperature and charging habits – is first transmitted in real time to the cloud, where machine-learning algorithms evaluate the data. With these services, Bosch is not only offering a window into the battery’s current status at all times, but enabling a reliable forecast of a battery’s remaining service life and performance to be made for the first time. Previously, it was not possible to make any accurate forecast of how quickly an electric-vehicle battery would wear out. “Powerful batteries with long services lives will make electromobility more viable,” said Heyn. Another feature of the smart software functions is their use of the swarm principle: the algorithms used for analysis evaluate data gathered from an entire fleet, not just from individual vehicles. Swarm intelligence is the key to identifying more of the stress factors for vehicle batteries, and to identifying them more quickly. Protecting cells against aging The new insights gained into a battery’s current status enable Bosch to also actively protect it against aging. To give one example: fully-charged batteries age more quickly at particularly high or low ambient temperatures. Bosch’s cloud services thus ensure that batteries are not charged to 100 percent when conditions are too hot or too cold. By reducing the battery charge by only a few percentage points, the battery is protected against inadvertent wear and tear. Data in the cloud will also help improve battery maintenance and repair. As soon as a battery fault or defect is identified, for example, the driver or fleet operator can be notified. This increases the chances that a battery can be repaired before it becomes irrevocably damaged or stops working altogether. Finally, the cloud services also optimize the recharging process itself. The recharging process – which, by the way, is one of the biggest obstacles to creating a mass market for electromobility – harbors the danger that the battery cells permanently lose some of their performance and capacity. Smart software in the cloud can calculate an individual charge curve for each recharging process, regardless of whether it takes place at home or elsewhere. This means the battery is recharged to the optimum level, helping conserve the cells. Whereas existing apps with charge timers merely allow drivers to time the recharging process so that it is carried out when demand for electricity is low, the Bosch solution goes much further, offering a specially developed recharging process as part of the company’s new battery services. They optimize both fast and slow charging and control electricity and voltage levels during the recharging process, thus prolonging battery life. Q&A What is the difference between Bosch cloud services and conventional battery-management systems? The battery-management systems currently integrated in electric vehicles monitor and manage the battery cells, and ensure both reliable operations and uniform recharging of the battery cells. But a battery’s performance and service life depend on numerous factors, such as the frequency with which it is recharged and discharged, the type of recharging process used, the driving style, and external factors such as the ambient temperature. That is why Bosch has developed cloud services that supplement the conventional battery-management systems installed in electric vehicles. Why is Bosch developing its own recharging strategies? Up to now, different recharging processes have been programmed into electric vehicles. Going forward, Bosch will offer automakers innovative recharging strategies that complement the processes available. When, for example, drivers want to recharge their batteries faster, a rapid recharge process automatically shortens the time required without damaging the battery. Another strategy optimizes the more leisurely standard recharging process, which can take several hours. The Bosch process is especially gentle on the battery, enhancing both its capacity and service life.

Automated mobility

19.12.2018

Press release

Automated mobility

Bosch presents tomorrow’s mobility today

A light, airy, minimalistic design, a futuristic outer shell made of display screens and glass, and a spacious interior – that is how architects might describe a novel structure, but in actuality the description also fits a completely new class of vehicle and a new kind of mobility: driverless electric shuttles that glide almost silently through city centers and are seamlessly connected with their environment. These will soon be a common sight on our city streets – whether they are transporting goods or people. Bosch provides components and systems for automating, connecting, and electrifying the shuttles, but shuttle mobility won’t be possible without mobility services. In the future, the company will offer these services too, bundling them into a smart, seamlessly connected ecosystem. That will include booking, sharing, and networking platforms, parking and charging services, and software solutions for managing and maintaining the vehicles, as well as infotainment during the journey. “Bosch is developing a unique package of hardware, software, and mobility services for shuttle mobility of the future,” says Dr. Markus Heyn, member of the board of management of Robert Bosch GmbH. At CES 2019 in Las Vegas, the world’s biggest electronics show, Bosch will be presenting its solutions for this area of transportation with a concept shuttle, and visitors will be able to experience its full range of services.Bosch services for users and shuttle operators The emergence of the shuttle segment is a result of rising demand for ridesharing services: in Europe, the U.S., and China alone, about one million such on-demand shuttle buses will be on the roads as early as the year 2020, growing to 2.5 million by 2025 (source: Roland Berger). Many of these vehicles, available 24/7, will be fully electric, and they will also be completely autonomous by the middle of the next decade at the latest. That’s why Bosch has packed every square centimeter of its concept shuttle with the appropriate technology – from electric powertrains and 360-degree surround sensors to connectivity management and vehicle computers. Yet these components and systems go only part of the way towards shuttle mobility. To make on- demand vehicles suitable for flexible everyday use, they must be connected to mobility services. “In the future, every vehicle on the road will make use of Bosch digital services,” Heyn says. These services allow users to book the vehicles, share rides with other passengers, and pay for the journey. Charging, repairing, and maintaining the vehicles, plus route planning and administrative activities, also call for services that Bosch will offer shuttle fleet operators in a seamlessly connected ecosystem. Booking and sharing Users can easily book a shuttle via smartphone, regardless of whether they’re relaxing on the sofa or sitting at their desk at work. Working behind the scenes, an algorithm identifies the vehicle closest to the requested location and finds other users who wish to travel a similar route. The more passengers a single shuttle can transport, the cheaper the journey for everyone. This approach also reduces the amount of traffic in cities and mitigates the impact on the environment. Bosch is developing the necessary software platforms to make this a reality. When the shuttle pulls up to the requested pick-up point, users again use their smartphones to identify themselves – thanks to Bosch’s Perfectly Keyless digital access service. It recognizes the owner’s smartphone as unmistakably as a digital fingerprint and opens the vehicle only for them. Every passenger always gets the seat that they reserved. Moving forward: electrified and automated Bosch’s electric axle drive makes the shuttles especially efficient yet affordable as they wend their way through the city. And the company’s Convenience Charging service knows just how long the battery charge will last and where to recharge the vehicle. This service means that even today, drivers no longer need to worry about being stranded with a dead battery. It also links vehicle information, such as the current state of battery charge or how much energy the heating and air-conditioning systems are consuming, with environmental data such as congestion and weather forecasts, so as to predict vehicle range with particular accuracy. Furthermore, Convenience Charging finds the ideal charging station and can reserve it in advance. And thanks to a standardized access and payment system, charging is easier than ever. Driverless e-shuttles provide users with transportation that is not only nearly emissions- free, but also very safe. For automation, Bosch develops and makes its own radar, video, and ultrasonic sensors, braking control systems, and power steering, to name a few examples. Smart digital services are indispensable here, too: Bosch predictive road- condition services let automated vehicles know in advance what environmental conditions to expect. They can thus adapt their driving style as needed so as to ensure maximum safety throughout the journey. The Bosch road signature is a map-based localization service with which automated vehicles can accurately determine their position in the lane down to a few centimeters – another crucial prerequisite for the safety of automated shuttles. Comfortable interior Bosch has designed the interior of its concept vehicle to provide space for four passengers, seating them across from one another to maximize legroom and comfort. Infotainment is provided on screens that can be used either by each passenger individually or in groups; for example, a family can watch a movie together as they travel somewhere for the weekend, or colleagues can work on a presentation on their way to the office. Smartphones use the on-board Wi-Fi and can integrate seamlessly with the infotainment system, thanks to Bosch connectivity technology. Its concierge service turns the shuttle into a personal assistant. With all kinds of information at its disposal, the shuttle can provide passengers with recommendations, advance bookings, weather reports, and travel tips at any time. Once the shuttle has arrived at its destination, the passengers can pay for their journey with Bosch’s e-payment service. Maintenance and administrative activities But Bosch services do not end when a rideshare journey is over: the company’s camera- based system for the vehicle interior checks whether anyone has forgotten their phone or handbag. If a passenger does forget something, the shuttle informs them directly via smartphone. The cameras can also detect gum on the seat or an overturned coffee cup – in other words, whether the shuttle needs cleaning – and can make the necessary arrangements immediately. This is so every passenger can start their journey in a clean shuttle. Bosch’s service for over-the-air updates can determine whether the driverless shuttles have the latest software version. The service detects software updates as soon as they are available and executes them in the vehicle securely and reliably. Thanks to sensors installed in the vehicle, predictive diagnostics can monitor the condition of key components and notify the shuttle before a fault actually occurs, so it has enough time to drive itself to a repair shop. This prevents the car from suddenly breaking down, which is a boon to operators. In the future, Bosch will pool updates from the data cloud and predictive diagnostics into a comprehensive connectivity platform. This will give vehicle manufacturers and shuttle service operators a constant overview of the condition of their fleets, so they can ensure that their shuttles are always ready for action. And finally, the Bosch subsidiary ESCRYPT’s security solutions handle vehicle security – whether for keyless access systems, data connectivity with the outside world, or software updates.

Automated mobility

20.06.2018

Press release

Automated mobility

The new Bosch highway assist system installed on the Maserati 2018 range

Motorway driving is frequently boring and repetitive, and in the case of long distances or heavy traffic it can often be stressful for drivers, with the risk of loss of concentration. In these circumstances, Bosch highway assist, is a partially automated driving function, helps to make the driver's trip safer and more relaxing. The new Bosch system, installed on all the vehicles in the Maserati MY 2018 range, combines the ACC Stop & Go and Lane Centering functions to control the vehicle's speed, acceleration and braking. Thanks to the smart combination of the two functions and optimised longitudinal and lateral guidance during in-lane travel, this Bosch technology enables partially automated driving (SAE level 2) both on the straight and on bends. “Highway Assist is a further step forward in the direction of automated driving. This, together with other innovations, meets Bosch's aims of creating technological solutions to usher in a new era in mobility, with no accidents, no stress and no emissions,” affirms Gabriele Allievi, Executive Vice President Original Equipment Sales of Robert Bosch GmbH Branch in Italy. Bosch highway assist technology is designed to operate on the motorway at a speed which complies with the limits enforced by the Highway Code. The system provides the driver with significant support. All the driver has to do is to supervise the vehicle at all times and be ready to take over control if necessary. The technology functions are enabled through the combined action of a Bosch long- range radar sensor, a camera and GPS, which monitors the car's actual position on the motorway. Bosch electric power steering (EPS), another innovation introduced on the Maserati MY2018 range, makes a decisive contribution to implementation of the highway assist technology and other advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS). By means of the Bosch long-range radar sensor, the highway assist system supports the driver by controlling the car's distance, direction and speed and monitoring the traffic ahead up to a speed of 145 km/h and a distance of up to 200 metres. The vehicle automatically follows the vehicle ahead in its lane at a safe speed and distance: if the vehicle ahead slows down, the system reduces speed accordingly, and if the vehicle accelerates or changes lane, the system automatically accelerates to the speed set by the driver. What's more, through lane marking recognition and the automatic action of the Bosch electric power steering, the car is kept constantly in the middle of the lane, even on bends. Although the system provides partially automated driving assistance, the driver is still responsible for the vehicle and has to supervise the system, taking over complete control of the car if necessary. The mobility industry is experiencing a period of revolutionary technological change, in which automated driving is increasingly becoming a reality. Bosch is in the front line of this transformation process and is actively developing and offering the market solutions - such as highway assist - intended to make the mobility of today and tomorrow smarter, safer and more relaxed.

Automated mobility

23.05.2018

Press release

Automated mobility

Bosch blazing new trails in mobility and environmental protection

Stuttgart and Renningen, Germany – Bosch is aiming for further growth in 2018, despite the difficult economic climate. After achieving record results in 2017, and in light of economic and geopolitical risks, the Bosch Group expects its sales revenue to grow by 2 to 3 percent in 2018. In the first three months, the sales revenue generated by the company matched the high level of the same period of the previous year, and even increased by around 5 percent when adjusted for exchange-rate effects1. “Our company is unequaled when it comes to combining comprehensive connectivity expertise with broad industry and product know-how. This is the Bosch Group’s unique selling proposition,” said the Bosch CEO Dr. Volkmar Denner, speaking at the annual press conference in Renningen. Denner sees improving the quality of life and contributing to eco- and climate- friendliness at the top of Bosch’s agenda: “Our ‘Invented for life’ ethos is our motivation for developing the best possible technologies for environmental protection. We want to help keep people mobile, while improving air quality.” To make practically zero-emissions traffic reality, the company is making heavy investments – both in making electromobility a market success and in enhancing the combustion engine.Innovative diesel technology: unprecedented NOx emissions Bosch has now achieved a breakthrough in diesel technology: with their new diesel technology, Bosch engineers have succeeded in getting NOx emissions down to one-tenth of the legally permitted limit. On average, test vehicles equipped with the enhanced technology already emit no more than 13 milligrams of NOx per kilometer, or far less than the 120 milligrams that will be permitted after 2020. “There’s a future for diesel. It will remain integral to tomorrow’s mobility solutions,” the Bosch CEO said. 2017 in review: record sales revenue and earnings The year 2017 was an extremely good one for Bosch. The company generated sales revenue of 78.1 billion euros. This represents an increase of 6.8 percent, or 8.4 percent after adjusting for exchange-rate effects, which totaled some 1.2 billion euros. All business sectors contributed to these positive results. EBIT (earnings before financial result and tax) from operations reached 5.3 billion euros in 2017, thus improving by nearly 17 percent compared with 2016. “Both sales revenue and earnings are the highest ever in our company’s history. What’s more, EBIT from operations increased at a higher rate than sales revenue,” said Prof. Stefan Asenkerschbaumer, Bosch CFO and deputy chairman of the management board. The EBIT margin from operations came to 6.8 percent, or 0.6 percentage points higher than in the previous year. Research and development expenditure also remained on a high level. Last year, it came to some 7.3 billion euros. This is equivalent to more than 9 percent of sales. The ultimate IoT-related discipline: cross-domain ecosystems No other company offers as many real-world connectivity solutions as Bosch: aside from smart mobility, they include domains such as connected manufacturing (Industry 4.0), the smart city, and not least the smart home. So far, Bosch has put 170 in-house IoT projects into practice, focusing on fundamental challenges such as population growth, urbanization, and climate change. In 2017, the company sold some 38 million web-enabled products, roughly 40 percent more than in 2016. Today, Bosch employs more than 25,000 software engineers, no less than 4,000 of whom are engaged in developing solutions for the internet of things. The company increasingly sees future business prospects arising from the digitalization of entire ecosystems. Home Connect – the biggest IoT ecosystem for household appliances – has already been adopted by 28 industry partners. The Home Connect app can be used to operate everything from coffee makers to washing machines. Bosch has identified significant potential in cross-domain ecosystems that link different industries, such as “Logistics 4.0.” Such ecosystems bring together solutions for manufacturing processes, building services, security, and mobility – all areas in which Bosch plays an active role. As Volkmar Denner emphasized: “Cross-domain ecosystems are the ultimate IoT-related discipline. No other company is better qualified to realize them than Bosch. The competitive advantage offered by our diversification has never been greater.” Electromobility: striving for market leadership Bosch is working tirelessly to achieve a breakthrough for electromobility. In 2017, the company won 20 contracts to produce electrical powertrain systems, valued at a total of 4 billion euros. Bosch expects the mass market for electric vehicles to take off from 2020, and aims to be a leading player in that market. This is already the case in China, where Bosch is working with the U.S. startup Nikola Motor Company and the Chinese company Weichai Power, the world’s biggest manufacturer of commercial-vehicle engines, to promote the use of fuel cells in production vehicles. In addition to its components business, Bosch also sees a promising future in web-based services, such as the recently premiered system!e , to improve the viability of electric driving. Automated driving: from component sales to systems solutions Bosch is also making significant progress in the transition to automated driving. As early as 2019, the company expects to generate sales of two billion euros with driver assistance systems. Bosch is growing faster than the market, which is forecast to grow 20 percent this year. Sales of Bosch radar and video sensors, for example, are expected to increase by 40 percent. “More automation means greater technical complexity. In the future, our customers will need all-in-one solutions, not just discrete components. This is another area in which our systems expertise is an advantage,” Denner said. Some 4,000 engineers are working for Bosch on automated-driving solutions, 1,000 more than a year ago. Connected driving: entering the ridesharing business Connected mobility is another market in which Bosch expects to generate significant business. The value of this market is forecast to reach 140 billion euros worldwide by 2022. By 2025, there will be more than 450 million connected vehicles on the world’s roads. Bosch has entered the ridesharing business through its acquisition of the U.S. start-up Splitting Fares (SPLT) . Bosch has brought SPLT and more than 20 other mobile service providers together in its new Connected Mobility Solutions division. They include the COUP e-scooter sharing service, which is soon to expand its business to Madrid, Spain. Results by business sector for 2017 All business sectors reported improved sales revenue in 2017: Mobility Solutions increased its sales revenue by 7.8 percent (9.4 percent after adjusting for exchange-rate effects) to 47.4 billion euros. This is three times the growth rate for the automotive industry worldwide. This sales revenue includes, for the last time, the contribution by the Bosch Starter Motors and Generators division, which was sold at the end of 2017. The margin from operations was 7.3 percent, or one percentage point higher than in the previous year. In the Consumer Goods business sector, sales revenue amounted to 18.4 billion euros. This represents an increase of 4.5 percent, or 6.7 percent taking exchange-rate effects into account. The margin from operations was 8.1 percent. The Industrial Technology business sector increased its sales revenue by 7.8 percent to 6.8 billion euros, or by 9.2 percent after adjusting for exchange-rate effects. The margin from operations was 3.3 percent, up 2.1 percentage points on the previous year. The Energy and Building Technology business sector achieved sales of 5.4 billion euros, which equates to an increase of 4.1 percent, or 5.8 percent after adjusting for exchange-rate effects. The margin from operations was 4.4 percent. Results by region for 2017 The Bosch Group generated sales revenue of 40.8 billion euros in Europe in 2017. This represents an increase of 5.6 percent, or 6.6 percent taking exchange- rate effects into account. The company benefited from the recovery of important western European markets and the good economic developments in Germany. Sales revenue from eastern European countries such as Russia, Romania, and Turkey also increased significantly. Strong growth was also reported in Asia Pacific, including Africa. Sales revenue increased by 13.5 percent (16.5 percent after adjusting for exchange-rate effects) to 23.6 billion euros. After adjusting for exchange-rate effects, the group’s sales revenue in North America remained on the previous year’s level. Due to lower output in the automotive sector and negative exchange-rate effects, sales revenue dropped by a nominal 2 percent to 12.1 billion euros. In South America, by contrast, sales revenue increased substantially, rising 16.4 percent (13.2 percent after adjusting for exchange-rate effects) to 1.6 billion euros. Headcount: continuing demand for IT and software experts At the reporting date of December 31, 2017, the Bosch Group had around 402,000 associates worldwide. This represents a year-on-year increase of 12,900. Recruitment was particularly strong in Asia Pacific and in central and eastern Europe. In Germany, the workforce expanded by around 3,700 to a total of 137,700 associates. Bosch is looking to recruit more trained specialists and executives in 2018, with a special focus on IT and software engineers. An overview of key figures can be found here .

Automated mobility

15.03.2018

Press release

Automated mobility

Bosch analysis: driver assistance systems continue their strong advance

Stuttgart, Germany – People buying new cars today in Germany and Europe are placing more and more value on having electronic assistants on board. “There is a clear trend: it will soon be just as natural to have cars fitted with driver assistance systems as it is with a radio and ESP,” says Bosch board of management member Dr. Dirk Hoheisel, referring to the results of a Bosch analysis carried out on the basis of new registration statistics for 2016. According to these statistics, parking and lane assist systems, as well as emergency braking systems are becoming increasingly popular. For example, 62 percent of new passenger cars registered in Germany in 2016 were equipped with some kind of parking assistance system – ranging from parking beepers to automatic parking assistants. Second place in the popularity scale was taken by automatic emergency braking systems that warn drivers or bring the car to a halt in an emergency. More than one in every three new cars registered in 2016 (38 percent) is able to help drivers to avoid accidents in this way. For more than a quarter of these vehicles, an emergency braking system is even part of the car’s standard fittings. Just behind in third place was driver drowsiness detectionfitted in 37 percent of all new passenger cars in 2016. However, the largest growth was recorded for lane assist systems. Compared with the previous year, there were twice as many of these on board new cars in 2016. Another interesting development was in relation to adaptive cruise control (ACC). Although barely fitted in four percent of newly registered cars in Germany in 2013, in 2016, this function was installed in nearly one in five new cars (19 percent).Driver assistance systems are increasingly fitted as standard equipment Parking assistance systems, emergency braking systems, and lane assist systems are also the most popular driver assistance systems in the U.K., the Netherlands, Belgium, and France – in that exact order. Parking assistance systems are even more widespread in France than they are in Germany: 67 percent of the new passenger cars registered there in 2016 provide their drivers with support while they park. Parking assistance systems are now included in the standard equipment of a vast majority of vehicles: at 63 percent of new cars, France has the highest proportion. In Germany, this figure is 42 percent. In Belgium and the Netherlands, 39 percent of new cars have an automatic emergency braking system – the highest proportion in Europe. Italy and Russia, which, alongside France, were included in the Bosch analysis for the first time, still have room to improve when it comes to driver assistance systems when compared with the other countries that were analyzed. However, 18 percent of new passenger cars registered in Italy in 2016 still had a lane assist system on board – and in Russia, they are getting the ball rolling with an installation rate of 6 percent. This is also true of automatic emergency braking systems, which also achieved a proportion of 6 percent in new passenger cars. Bosch is growing quicker than the market with driver assistance systems Driver assistance systems help drivers in confusing or critical traffic situations, and are an important step on the way to the accident-free and stress-free mobility of the future. If all vehicles in Germany had an automatic emergency braking system on board, for example, up to 72 percent of all rear-end collisions resulting in injury could be prevented. Installation rates for driver assistance systems are constantly increasing. As the largest provider of such systems, Bosch is also benefiting from this. “The market is currently growing by about 20 percent, and Bosch is growing even faster,” says Gerhard Steiger, president of Bosch’s Chassis Systems Control division. In 2019, the provider of technology and services will exceed the two-billion-euro mark with sales of its driver assistance systems. The one-billion mark was already achieved in 2016. At the moment, technical development is increasingly heading toward automated driving. The Bosch analysis shows that, with traffic jam assist, the first partially automated function has now also arrived on the market. In a traffic jam, the car automatically follows the vehicle in front, assuming the tasks of starting and accelerating as well as braking and steering within its own lane. Of the new cars in Germany that are equipped with ACC, almost half of them are also fitted with a traffic jam assist function, which is nine percent of all newly registered passenger cars. Bosch analysis based on 2016 statistics for newly registered cars In 2016, 3.4 million new cars were registered in Germany. Based on new vehicle registration statistics collected by the German Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) for the year 2016 as well as data (data status 22.03.2017) supplied by business intelligence firm IHS Markit, Bosch analyzed the passenger segments to see how – whether as standard or optional equipment – and which driver assistance systems are currently on offer. Bosch has been investigating the development of installation rates for driver assistance systems since 2013.

Automated mobility

26.02.2018

Press release

Internet of Things

Bosch is showcasing the following highlights at Bosch ConnectedWorld in Berlin

Berlin and Stuttgart, Germany – An intelligent glove in the factory, a digital guardian angel for people on the go, and connected kitchens: Bosch is showcasing these and other solutions at Bosch ConnectedWorld in Berlin, where the IoT sector meets to discuss tomorrow’s world. Innovative products and services are making everyday life not only more convenient, but also safer and more efficient – at home, at work, and on the move.Products and solutions for all aspects of connected manufacturing ActiveAssist – the assembly assistant: The assembly assistance system guides users step by step through each individual stage in the manufacturing process. It identifies the next workpiece using RFID (radio frequency identification) and provides information about the required processing steps. For instance, the system uses light signals to mark those grab containers that hold the screws or other parts required to complete the next step. A 3D camera tracks the user’s movements. All in all, the system makes it possible to correct errors and prevents the wrong parts from being used. The benefits are a reduction in user strain and an increase in product quality. Intelligent glove: The iGlove features highly sensitive sensors and is designed for use in connected manufacturing. It maps hand movements and can greatly reduce workforce training times. Furthermore, it helps users learn the correct assembly steps and can document production steps such as the removal of parts. Without any need for physical contact, the data is sent via Bluetooth to a computer or smartphone, where it is compared to previously stored movement patterns. ActiveCockpit – the manufacturing assistant: A gigantic screen informs associates in the factory about the current status of production. The benefits are faster information processing, clear analysis, and subsequent definition of tasks for more efficient processes. As a result, manufacturing becomes transparent. Users and companies benefit thanks to the immediate identification of problems, such as screws that are slightly too small or too large. This reduces downtimes, increases the level of product quality, and avoids any recall costs. Connected solutions and products for better living: Vivatar app – a digital guardian angel: Going jogging in the dark or heading home on foot after the last bus has left is enough to make anyone feel uneasy. This is where the Bosch Vivatar app comes in; it acts as a digital guardian angel for people on the go. It enables users to contact friends and family and be digitally “escorted” home via GPS, and decide for themselves when they should be accompanied and by whom. Vivatar Premium grants users 24/7 access to the Bosch Emergency Assistant, a professionally trained emergency team. Climo – a small box for better air quality: It’s the size of a shoebox and measures air quality in real time. Developed by Bosch in collaboration with Intel, Climo is a hundredth of the size and a tenth of the cost of conventional systems. It measures and analyzes a total of 12 parameters, including temperature and humidity as well as carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, and even pollen count. Using the information gathered, cities can swiftly take action to improve air quality. They can also use it to help with traffic management, for instance. And by using the app, people suffering from asthma or allergies can find out if they should stay indoors or avoid certain areas of the city. Home Connect – a platform for the connected kitchen: The platform for the connected kitchen from Bosch subsidiary BSH is called Home Connect. No matter where users are, they can use devices such as smartphones to control and monitor Bosch household appliances and those of other manufacturers. With some 30 partners around the world, Home Connect already has the largest digital ecosystem in the connected kitchen, and the company is continuously entering into new partnerships and adding helpful functions and services. At the end of last year, BSH acquired a 65 percent stake in Berlin-based start-up Kitchen Stories. The plan now is to integrate the cooking app into Home Connect. Voice control is also among the services provided. In this way, Bosch products can be controlled by the likes of Amazon Alexa (Germany), Google Home (UK), or Ding Dong (China). Predictive maintenance – remote diagnostics for elevators: Bosch has already spent over 30 years working on emergency call systems in order to quickly free people trapped in broken-down elevators. Now the company is going a step further by preventing elevators from failing in the first place. The key is predictive maintenance. Connected sensors and cameras are integrated into the elevator system and wirelessly notify the service team when a breakdown is imminent. Maintenance and repair work can thus be carried out before the elevator stops working. Connected building platform – a smart building solution: The sensor- and cloud-based solution analyzes data from a building, for instance regarding occupancy or air quality. In this way, the platform provides a solid foundation for efficient building management. Windows and doors open and close as required, which reduces energy consumption. The platform also provides information about room use and whether workspaces are occupied. In offices that offer flexible workspaces, for example, this allows people to quickly find the nearest free desk, lights can be efficiently controlled, and cleaning services can be utilized to maximum effect. Knowing where people and equipment are helps optimize building processes, for instance in commercial buildings or hospitals. The solution is based on the Bosch IoT Suite, the company’s own IoT software platform.

Internet of Things

26.02.2018

Press release

Automated mobility

Bosch acquires U.S. carpooling start-up SPLT

Berlin and Stuttgart, Germany – Bosch is entering the ridesharing business. The supplier of technology and services has acquired Splitting Fares Inc. (SPLT), a U.S. start-up based in Detroit. SPLT operates a platform that allows companies, universities, and municipal authorities to offer their workforces ridesharing services. The B2B approach is designed especially for commuters. SPLT uses an app to connect people who share the same route to their place of work or study. An algorithm finds the best composition for the ride-share, and computes the fastest route. The aim is to reduce congestion and make the daily commute more relaxed. SPLT was founded in 2015. Some 140,000 users in the United States, Mexico, and Germany currently take advantage of the service. It has been agreed that the purchase price will not be disclosed. “With SPLT, we are extending our portfolio in the growth area of mobility services,” said Dr. Markus Heyn, member of the Bosch board of management. With connected mobility services, Bosch aims for growth well into double digits.“Increasingly, smartphones are becoming the most important means of travel,” Heyn added. Connecting road users and modes of transportation is making flexible, multimodal mobility possible: in a matter of seconds, everyone can decide how they want to travel, and make the necessary bookings. “With this sustainable and affordable mobility service, we want to fundamentally change the way people get from A to B,” said Anya Babbitt, the co-founder and CEO of SPLT.Increasing numbers of commuters Ridesharing, in which digital services and apps are used to form carpools and to organize vehicle sharing and taxis, is a growth market in the connected mobility sector. By 2020, the number of people worldwide using rideshares is expected to rise 60 percent to 685 million (source: Statista). Up to now, the services available have usually directly targeted people who happen to be traveling in the same direction, and who want to book a ride on the spur of the moment. They have not focused so much on companies and commuters. But it is precisely here that there is huge potential. According to the German Federal Motor Transport Authority, there are more than 45 million cars on Germany’s roads alone. And the number of commuters is rising: according to the German Federal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs, and Spatial Development, three out of five workers do not work in their home cities. And for roughly two-thirds of the working population, the car is the first choice of transport for the daily commute, according to the German Federal Statistical Office. Worldwide, the result is the same: rush-hour traffic is frequently gridlocked. Millions of commuters find themselves stuck in traffic every day. A further problem is that drivers usually sit alone in their cars. Carpooling is still the exception. This is where SPLT’s solution comes in. Commuting without stress, at low cost, and with little environmental impact SPLT is about sharing – and it couldn’t be simpler to use. Companies, universities, or municipal authorities enable access to the SPLT platform for their employees, who then download the SPLT app, register, and look for or offer a rideshare. Bookings can be made on the spur of the moment or in advance. Arrival times are displayed in real time, and costs are shared among colleagues and charged online. The B2B service is intended for users who travel the same route each day. One advantage of this is that rides are shared by colleagues, which means users never have to get in the car with complete strangers. As a side benefit, such rideshares encourage communication and offer a chance to network. Company buses can also be integrated into the app, and in this way be used more flexibly and efficiently. The result is a journey to work and back without stress, at low cost, and with little environmental impact. Companies can also play a role in reducing traffic volume. In the years ahead, the number of SPLT users is expected to rise many times over – with new regions also being included. Within Bosch itself, associates in Mexico are already using the app, and it is planned to extend its use to the entire company. “We believe we have a good chance of global growth together with Bosch,” Babbitt said. SPLT will remain an independent entity within the Bosch Group and be run as a wholly owned subsidiary. 4,000 participants, 70 exhibitors, and 140 speakers Bosch’s IoT activities are broadly diversified, encompassing solutions for connected mobility, connected manufacturing, as well as for connected energy systems and buildings. At the Bosch ConnectedWorld forum for the IoT industry in Berlin, more than 70 exhibitors will demonstrate what is already possible with the internet of things, and how it will improve people’s everyday lives in the future. On a 10,000 square-meter exhibition space at “Station” in Berlin, some 4,000 delegates will meet from February 21 to 22. In addition to the Bosch CEO Dr. Volkmar Denner, the roughly 140 speakers will include Dr. Dieter Zetsche (CEO Daimler), Dr. Frank Appel (CEO Deutsche Post DHL), and Johann Jungwirth (CDO Volkswagen). At a hackathon, some 700 programmers, start-up associates, and designers will develop new ideas for connected mobility services, automated driving, connected manufacturing and logistics, and connected living. The 2018 Bosch ConnectedWorld will be the fifth event of its kind. It is one of the world’s largest conferences on the internet of things.

Automated mobility

23.02.2018

Press release

Internet of Things

Bosch establishes division for connected mobility services

Berlin and Stuttgart, Germany – Bosch continues to drive forward its transformation into a provider of mobility services. Its new Connected Mobility Solutions division will bring together over 600 associates to develop and sell digital mobility services. These include vehicle sharing, ridesharing, and connectivity-based services for car drivers. “Connectivity will fundamentally change how we get from A to B, and in the process it will help to solve today’s traffic problems. We are using it to realize our vision of emissions-free, stress-free, and accident-free mobility,” said Dr. Volkmar Denner, chairman of the Bosch board of management, at the Bosch ConnectedWorld 2018 IoT conference in Berlin. Connectivity offers tremendous business potential. By 2025, there will be more than 470 million connected vehicles on the world’s roads (source: PwC). Just four years from now, the market for mobility services and associated digital services will be worth 140 billion euros (source: PwC). “Connected driving is a growth area for Bosch. Bosch aims for significant double-digit growth with the solutions it offers,” Denner said. The plan is for the new division to further extend the existing service portfolio. For instance, mobility services from Bosch send alerts about wrong-way drivers and turn smartphones into car keys. The latest of these is the ridesharing service offered by U.S. start-up Splitting Fares Inc. (SPLT). Denner also presented system!e in Berlin. Connected services for electromobility are set to further increase the suitability of electric driving for the mass market.Bosch enters the ridesharing business One growth market in the field of connected mobility is ridesharing, which encompasses online services and apps for carpools as well as for arranging driving services and taxis. By 2022, the number of ridesharing users worldwide is set to rise by 60 percent to 685 million (source: Statista). To date, most such services have been directed at people who happen to be traveling in the same direction or who want to book a trip at the last minute; companies and commuters have been seen as less of a priority. This is precisely where SPLT comes in. Recently acquired by Bosch, this U.S. start-up developed a platform that companies, universities, or municipal authorities can use to arrange ridesharing for their staff. This B2B approach is aimed directly at commuters: the SPLT app brings together people who want to share a ride to the same workplace or place of study. One advantage of this is that rides are shared by colleagues, which means users never have to get in the car with complete strangers. Within seconds, an algorithm locates a suitable rideshare, calculates the fastest route through traffic, and thus assumes what used to be the time-consuming task of coordinating the departure point, departure time, best route, and passengers. Sharing a ride is good for the nerves, for the wallet, and for the environment. Companies can also play a role in reducing traffic volume. “Connectivity is a way for us to rethink not just the car but the whole way we use modes of transport,” Denner said. Digital services for electric vehicles Bosch subsidiary COUP has provided e-scooters for rent in Berlin since 2016. After introducing e-scooter sharing to Paris last year, the service will launch in Madrid this year. This will bring the total number of e-scooters to 3,500. “Digital services will give electric driving a boost,” Denner said. At the IoT conference, the Bosch CEO presented system!e, a comprehensive system of connected electrified powertrain components and new service solutions for electric cars. To this end, Bosch has connected the electric drive to the Bosch Automotive Cloud Suite. The company is developing web-based services that rely on this interaction. In the future, intelligent electric cars will know precisely when their power will run out, but also where they can find their next charge. Eliminating range anxiety: Services that encourage everyday use For many car buyers, the worry that an electric car might leave them stranded is a deal-breaker. It is precisely this problem that system!e is designed to tackle. Because the electric drive is connected to the cloud, the system can produce an “extended range forecast.” An algorithm factors in vehicle data such as current battery charge, energy consumption of heating or air conditioning, and the driver’s driving style, as well as information from the vehicle’s surroundings. This includes the current traffic situation and topographical data for the route ahead. Based on this information, the system can reliably calculate the vehicle’s precise range. For longer journeys in an electric car, the extended range forecast is supplemented by the “charging assistant.” This service knows where all the charge spots are on a given journey, say from Munich to Hamburg, so it can plan ahead for necessary charging stops; it also manages the payment process. Thanks to additional information about for example restaurants, cafés, and shopping options, drivers can make the most of the charging time and relax. A third service manages vehicle charging in smart homes, helping to optimize how they use energy. It integrates the electric car into the smart home’s electricity grid, meaning the car’s battery supplements the stationary storage device for the house’s photovoltaic system. During the day, the car absorbs excess solar power and feeds it back at night as necessary. “For Bosch, mobility goes beyond the car. Our breadth of technology expertise in numerous fields puts us in an unparalleled position to develop and operate cross-application ecosystems,” Denner said. 4,000 participants, 70 exhibitors, and 140 speakers Bosch’s IoT activities are broadly diversified, encompassing solutions for connected mobility, connected manufacturing, as well as for connected energy systems and buildings. At the Bosch ConnectedWorld forum for the IoT industry in Berlin, more than 70 exhibitors will demonstrate what is already possible with the internet of things, and how it will improve people’s everyday lives in the future. On a 10,000 square-meter exhibition space at “Station” in Berlin, some 4,000 delegates will meet from February 21 to 22. In addition to the Bosch CEO Dr. Volkmar Denner, the roughly 140 speakers will include Dr. Dieter Zetsche (CEO Daimler), Dr. Frank Appel (CEO Deutsche Post DHL), and Johann Jungwirth (CDO Volkswagen). At a hackathon, some 700 programmers, start-up associates, and designers will develop new ideas for connected mobility services, automated driving, connected manufacturing and logistics, and connected living. The 2018 Bosch ConnectedWorld will be the fifth event of its kind. It is one of the world’s largest conferences on the internet of things.

Internet of Things

12.01.2018

Press release

Automated mobility

Belgians know too little about car technology.

" I know my car inside out" A lot of people are rock-solid convinced that their car does not hold any secrets. However, they cannot tell more about their cars than just the color and the brand. The full press release is available in Dutch and French. Please select your preferred language at the top of the page.

Automated mobility