Bosch showcasing wide range of future commercial vehicle technologies at NACV; automated, connected and electric

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Green Car Congress  /  September 27, 2017

At the North American Commercial Vehicle Show (NACV) in Atlanta this week, Bosch is showcasing its portfolio of automated, connected and electrified technologies for commercial vehicles.

At NACV, Bosch will debut its 15-inch freely programmable cluster, the largest digital cluster available for the commercial vehicle industry. The optically-bonded display enables future safety and automated solutions as it is easily integrated with advanced driver assistance technologies. Bosch’s 15-inch monitor has two variants, one in landscape mode as a dashboard solution and another in portrait mode as part of a mirror camera system that can replace side mirrors and improve vehicle efficiency by reducing drag.

The Bosch Central Gateway (CGW) enables secure connectivity in commercial vehicles. It is the central communication node that acts as a router for in-vehicle communication and through the connectivity control unit (CCU) to the outside. It is the gate for all data coming into the vehicle and is secure through security functions such as firewall and intrusion detection. ETAS and ESCRYPT (both parts of the Bosch Group) provide the necessary transmission and encryption technologies that ensure functional safety and data security.

Powertrain concepts. At NACV 2017, Bosch is also showcasing several future-focused powertrain concepts engineered to save fuel and money while extending the lives of fleets. The eCity Truck is an innovative diesel hybrid system that is a flexible and scalable solution allowing easy integration of an electric axle (eAxle) into light commercial vehicles to enable the easy conversion of a traditional diesel truck platform to a diesel-electric hybrid truck. The eAxle is a scalable, modular platform with the motor, power electronics, and transmission form one compact unit.

To further reduce fuel consumption, the eCity Truck platform can also integrate 48-volt technology. The Bosch boost recuperation system enables the provision of a 48V electrical accessories as well as energy recovery and smooth, efficient functions such as start-stop.

Bosch is also developing deeply integrated systems for the future that will offer greater fuel savings. The USDepartment of Energy (DOE) awarded a team led by Bosch up to $5 million dedicated to the development and demonstration of a commercially-viable, plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) powertrain for medium-duty vehicles typically used in delivery vehicle fleets as part of the Medium-duty Urban Range Connected Extended Powertrain (MURECP) project. At NACV, Bosch will present progress to-date on the project as part of a comprehensive view of the future of the commercial vehicle powertrain.

Progress on the MURECP project includes the advanced dual-planetary gear transmission (e2PG) featuring multiple clutches that reduces fuel consumption by more than 50% on a real-world drive cycle. The design calls for a scalable battery that makes an all-electric driving range feasible, enabling zero local emissions driving in city centers.

Targeting CV delivery trucks, the e2PG powersplit/multi-mode transmission architecture allows for an efficient downsizing of an internal combustion engine via deep integration of two electric motors, resulting in reduced fuel consumption while still maintaining or even improving the overall performance of the vehicle.

Control unit. The Bosch vehicle control unit (VCU) for Commercial Vehicle and Off-road vehicle application enables the development of future technologies, not only for powertrain diversification, but also for automated driving functionalities as well as connected functionalities.

The VCU offers one scalable electric/electronic (E/E) architecture to handle the increased number of calculation-intensive and cross-domain functionalities within continuously evolving efficient, connected and autonomous vehicle.

Thermal management. Whether a traditional internal combustion engine, hybrid-electric or electric vehicle, thermal management has emerged as a key topic for managing vehicle efficiency. At NACV, Bosch will demonstrate technologies it has developed to manage heating and cooling vehicles.

Bosch is working to efficiently manage the heat flow and avoid wasting energy, ultimately improving fuel efficiency of internal combustion engines or increasing the range of electric and hybrid-electric vehicles. The example thermal system will show Bosch fans, pumps and valves for optimizing energy management throughout the entire vehicle—including solutions for highly efficient heating and air conditioning that satisfies all comfort needs.

Actuator. The innovative Electronically Commutated Actuator (ECA) is a Bosch brushless direct current (BLDC) electric motor platform designed specifically for actuation tasks in commercial vehicle applications and environments. Newly designed from the ground up, the ECA actuator performs very precise and high dynamic actuation tasks in the rough environments of engine compartments, chassis and powertrain applications.

ADAS. Bosch’s driver assistance systems actively support the driver to enhance driving comfort and improve safety on the path to automated driving. Bosch has an expansive catalogue in this space, including ultrasonic, radar and video sensors as well as steering solutions.

The latest generation of the Bosch multi-purpose camera (MPC) is a scalable, monocular camera platform for video-based driver assistance systems that make driving safe and more comfortable. The MPC integrates a wide range of driver assistance functions into vehicles using only one sensor.

Another key enabler for driver assistance technology is the Servotwin steering system, a steering technology pre-requisite needed for automated driving. The Servotwin enables automatic steering for functions such as lane-keeping assistance and cross-wind compensation. The Bosch demonstration truck will feature how the Servotwin and multi-purpose camera work together in lane-keeping functions.

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Bosch turns the truck into a technology showcase

Neil Abt, September 26, 2017

ATLANTA. Bosch used its booth at the North American Commercial Vehicle show to demonstrate its vision of turning a truck into what  Jason Roycht, vice president of the commercial vehicle unit, called “a technology showpiece.”

Roycht said through the combination of automation, connectivity, and electrified technology, lives will be saved and vehicle efficiency will increase.

“The rate of change the next 10 years will be greater than the last 100,” he said during a Sept. 26 media briefing. “Connectivity is a part of our everyday lives. The commercial truck is no exception.”

During that event, Bosch debuted a 15-inch freely programmable digital cluster, which it said is the largest available for the commercial vehicle industry. The company said the screen creates stunning clarity for the safe display of relevant information and enables future safety and automated solutions as it is integrated with advanced driver assistance technologies.

The monitor has two variants, one in landscape mode as a dashboard solution and another in portrait mode as part of a mirror camera system that can replace side mirrors.

To compliment the technology, Bosch also showcased its Central Gateway (CGW) that enables secure connectivity and acts as a router for in-vehicle communication. Bosch units ETAS and ESCRYPT provide the necessary transmission and encryption technologies that ensure data security.

During the media briefing, Roycht also touched upon the recent announcement that it was partnering with Nikola Motor Co. in the development of the Nikola One and Two, a class 8 hydrogen-electric truck lineup. Roycht said Bosch’s eAxle expertise has allowed Nikola to move quickly on an aggressive path to bring its electric truck to market. 


The eAxle is a scalable, modular platform with the motor, power electronics, and transmission in one compact unit. This makes it suitable for vehicles of all kinds, from small passenger cars to light trucks
The eAxles will be paired with a custom-designed fuel cell system – also being developed jointly between Nikola and Bosch.

 “Together with Nikola we are pushing ourselves to realize new levels of technological achievement and market penetration,” Dr. Markus Heyn, member of the Bosch board of management responsible for commercial vehicles. 


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Bosch Demonstrates Automated, Connected Tech at NACV

Heavy Duty Trucking (HDT)  /  September 27, 2017

ATLANTA — Bosch showcased its portfolio of commercial vehicle solutions at the North American Commercial Vehicle show in Atlanta, including automated, connected and electrified technologies aimed at improving safety, comfort, and efficiency.

A demonstration truck will be on hand at the event to show future technologies, including those on the path to automated driving.

“The commercial transport sector is rapidly evolving and Bosch is paving the way for the future,” said Jason Roycht, vice president of the Commercial Vehicle & Off-Road business unit in North America. “Our commercial vehicle systems include innovative technologies that make vehicles more electrified, efficient, connected and automated. This is made possible by features like real-time communication devices, advanced connectivity capabilities, and sophisticated powertrain options.”

At NACV Bosch debuted its 15-inch freely programmable cluster, a display designed to be integrated with advanced driver assistance technologies. The 15-inch monitor comes in landscape and portrait orientations. The landscape version can be used as a dashboard solution while the portrait monitor can be connected to a camera system and used as a side mirror replacement.

Another product is the Bosch Central Gateway, designed to enable secure connectivity in commercial vehicles. It is the central communication node that acts as a router for in-vehicle communication and through the connectivity control unit to the outside. It is the gate for all data coming into the vehicle and is secure through security functions such as firewall and intrusion detection. ETAS and ESCRYPT (both parts of the Bosch Group) provide the necessary transmission and encryption technologies that ensure functional safety and data security.

Bosch showcased several future-focused powertrain concepts at NACV, including the eCity Truck diesel hybrid system for light commercial vehicles that uses an electric axle. The eAxle is a scalable, modular platform with the motor, power electronics, and transmission forming a single compact unit.

To further reduce fuel consumption, the eCity Truck platform can also seamlessly integrate 48-volt technology. The Bosch boost recuperation system allows for the provision of 48-volt electrical accessories as well as energy recovery, and efficient functions such as start-stop.

The company also announced that a team led by Bosch was awarded up to $5 million from the Energy Department to demonstrate a commercially viable, plug-in hybrid electric vehicle powertrain for medium-duty vehicles typically used in delivery vehicle fleets as part of the Medium-duty Urban Range Connected Extended Powertrain project.

Lastly, Bosch added to its driver assistance technology portfolio with the latest generation of multi-purpose cameras. The MPC is a scalable, monocular camera platform for video-based driver assistance systems. The MPC integrates a wide range for driver assistance functions into vehicles using a single sensor.

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Bosch envisions digital, electric future

Today’s Trucking  /  September 27, 2017

ATLANTA, GA – Imagine trucks without mirrors or internal combustion engines, relying instead on video monitors and electric power. It’s exactly what Bosch engineers are helping to develop.

The company unveiled a series of related components during the North American Commercial Vehicle Show this week, offering a peek at emerging technologies that in some cases are already proving themselves.

“The cockpit of the truck is set to transform,” said Jayson Roycht, vice president – North American regional business leader, commercial vehicle and off-road. Examples Bosch had on display included a 15-inch programmable gauge cluster. Rather than simply taking the place of a speedometer and tachometer, the screen becomes the centerpiece of driver controls, potentially integrating messages from driver assistance systems.

A version of the same screen flipped to a portrait mode delivers images from cameras that take the place of traditional West Coast mirrors. And the advantages are not limited to the better aerodynamics that emerge when replacing mirrors with tiny cameras. Images on two of the screens mounted inside the cab can also be adjusted based on lighting conditions or incorporate other messages.

Both versions of the screen were put to use in a drive between Detroit and Atlanta.

In terms of electrification, Bosch is one of the partners in developing Nikola Motor Company’s Nikola One and Two – a hydrogen-electric truck that promises to deliver more than 1,000 horsepower and 2,000 lb-ft of torque. Among the components Bosch is bringing to the project is an eAxle that combines a motor, power electronics, and transmission in a single unit. The company is also involved in developing the truck’s customized fuel cell system and vehicle controls.

“The approach using fuel cells for longhaul is pretty interesting, and being able to deliver that technology, and being able to deliver a cost benefit to diesel, is pretty interesting,” Roycht said.

It won’t be the only approach to electrifying vehicles, of course.

There are still many gains to be realized with hybrid systems, he said in an interview, referring to the ways that trucks in stop-and-go traffic could use regenerative braking to recharge batteries and extend potential vehicle ranges. Refuse vehicles using such technologies would also benefit because they wouldn’t chew through as much brake friction material.

“You don’t necessarily have to have a big, expensive, heavy battery pack. There’s other solutions out there. There’s other solutions also with different power voltage levels like 48-volt solutions. There really isn’t a one-size-fits-all,” he said.

Bosch’s eCity Truck, for example, is a diesel hybrid system that integrates its eAxle and a 48-volt system that supports accessories as well as energy recovery and start-stop capabilities at intersections. The U.S. Department of Energy has also awarded a Bosch-led team up to US $5 million to develop a commercially viable plug-in hybrid electric powertrain for medium-duty vehicles. Initial gains have already included a dual-planetary gear transmission with multiple clutches to reduce fuel consumption more than 50% in a real-world drive cycle. Effectively it allows internal combustion engines to be downsized by integrating two electric motors.

At a time when Tesla has promised to unveil an electric tractor, existing manufacturers such as Cummins and Daimler have also come forward with products of their own, he said, referring to the respective Aeos tractor and Fuso eCanter. “The more we look into all the different driving scenarios, and the more the technology comes down in cost on the electrification side, the more we’re going to see applications where it’s going to have a cost-of-ownership benefit beyond just being green.”

Still, there are different driving forces at play. In Europe, legislators are pushing for the technology with announced plans to ban internal combustion engines. “Here it’s more about can you produce on the cost basis. We see a lot of potential in a lot of areas. In terms of what comes to market faster? It’s anybody’s guess, but we’re seeing really interesting cost-benefits from everyone – including the longhaul.”

There are advantages to developing such vehicle platforms from scratch, such as introducing easier entry and exit, as displayed with the Mercedes-Benz Vision Van concept, he said.

 “In the commercial vehicle segment – other than the passenger car – you’ve really got to deliver on cost and you’ve got to deliver on performance,” Roycht said. “The easy fit everyone sees right away is the short-haul, and the repetitive stops.”

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