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A leading Japanese commercial vehicle manufacturer has selected Knorr-Bremse as its partner for advanced braking and steering systems in autonomous trucks. This collaboration focuses on developing highly automated vehicles, enhancing safety and efficiency in commercial transportation.
Key Highlights
- Order Volume: The total value is in the low three-digit million euro range, with deliveries starting in 2028.
- Vehicle Scope: Includes equipment for around 1,100 commercial vehicles at automation level L4, plus L2 systems for series production.
- Markets Targeted: Vehicles are destined for Japan, Southeast Asia, the US, Australia, and New Zealand.
- Technologies Involved: Features redundant systems like rGSBC (redundant Global Scalable Brake Control) and rAHPS (redundant Advanced Hybrid Power Steering).
- Project Context: Part of a government-funded initiative on autonomous driving, building on Knorr-Bremse’s expertise from the ATLAS L4 project.
Details of the Partnership
The Japanese OEM is leveraging Knorr-Bremse’s expertise in actuator technology to achieve SAE Level 4 automation. This involves redundant braking and steering systems designed for high safety and system availability. For the L4 development project, Knorr-Bremse will equip heavy-duty trucks (HDT) and buses for use in Japan, as well as medium-duty trucks (MDT) for the US market. These innovations ensure vehicles can operate autonomously in defined conditions, reducing human intervention and improving reliability.
In addition to the L4 systems, the order encompasses L2 braking and steering for a new truck platform. This includes standard RCB (Recirculating Ball Steering) gears, AHPS (Advanced Hybrid Power Steering), GSBC (Global Scalable Brake Control), and GSAT (Global Scalable Air Treatment) systems, along with foot brake modules. These components will support tens of thousands of systems annually, catering to heavy trucks in various global markets.
Leadership Insights
Bernd Spies, a member of the Executive Board at Knorr-Bremse AG responsible for the Commercial Vehicle Systems division, emphasized the company’s role in advancing automated driving. He noted that Knorr-Bremse delivers high levels of safety for automation levels 2 through 4, drawing from successful projects like ATLAS L4. This order reinforces the strong partnership with the OEM and highlights Knorr-Bremse’s robust R&D and production capabilities in Japan.
Nils Bielefeld, Managing Director at Knorr-Bremse Commercial Vehicle Systems Japan, highlighted the close collaboration with customers. Discussions on use cases and tailored redundancy concepts led to this extensive order. The team is committed to ongoing development for both L4 projects and L2 series platforms, fostering innovation in truck mobility.
Broader Implications
This deal positions Knorr-Bremse as a key player in the autonomous commercial vehicle sector. By providing redundant technologies, the company enables OEMs to meet stringent safety standards for Level 4 operations. The systems are tailored for diverse applications, from heavy trucks in Asia to medium-duty vehicles in the US, supporting the global shift toward automated logistics and transportation.
The partnership also underscores Knorr-Bremse’s local presence in Japan, where it maintains close customer relationships to customize solutions. As autonomous driving evolves, such collaborations are crucial for deploying safe, efficient vehicles that address regional market needs.
For more details, visit the official newsroom page.
This development marks a significant step in commercial vehicle automation, blending advanced engineering with strategic partnerships to drive future mobility solutions.
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