ZF has secured a significant business win with a global manufacturer. The deal emphasizes the importance of the company’s recently created Chassis Solutions Division that is enabling the Software Defined Vehicle with by-wire solutions. ZF has reached an agreement that includes planned volume production of brake-by-wire technology along with cutting-edge steering in a single class of vehicle.

Featuring the Electro-Mechanical Brake and by-wire technology on the rear brakes, the project will also include ZF’s Integrated Brake Control and traditional front calipers, creating a hybrid braking system of by-wire and hydraulics that offers increased flexibility to the manufacturer. The agreement will also provide significant steering technology with ZF’s Electric Recirculating Ball Steering Gear.

ZF’s Electro-Mechanical Brake provides premium performance for automatic emergency braking, full energy recuperation and redundant fallback options up to full automated driving for passenger car and light truck segments.

With the Electro-Mechanical Brake (EMB) as a key component of the brake-by-wire technology, ZF lays the foundation for the software-defined vehicle that will lead to new functions and features, many that emphasize safety as much as driving comfort. One such feature being explored with by-wire technology is the ability for the vehicle to autonomously brake and steer in a crash situation.

ZF’s EMB is at the center of the ‘dry’ brake system where brake fluid is no longer required. Brake pressure is therefore not generated by the pressure of fluids in the hydraulic system, but by electric motors. Brake signals from the pedal to the electric motor are also transmitted purely electrically, which is why the term ‘dry brake-by-wire’ is used.

The EMB works seamlessly with the Integrated Brake Control (IBC), a non-vacuum, fully integrated electro-hydraulic system providing premium brake performance for automatic emergency braking, full energy recuperation and redundant fallback options up to full automated driving for passenger car and light truck segments.

The “hybrid” system is created with an electric system on the rear axle and hydraulics at the front, featuring ZF’s Colette-type caliper, the most widely fitted floating caliper in the world. It is available for passenger car and light commercial vehicles in single and twin piston designs making it cost- and CO₂-efficient as well as a high-performance solution for all drivetrains including electric and hybrid vehicles.

The Electric Recirculating Ball Steering Gear RCB EPS (Recirculating Ball Steering Electric Power Steering) is a 48 V electrically powered gear that is designed to replace current hydraulic applications. It allows for ADAS features as well as improved steering feel and performance. The RCB EPS is supporting ADAS features up to Level 2/2+ and can be adapted to higher AD Levels. It is an integrated unit that reduces vehicle assembly costs while also cutting CO₂ emissions.