Automotive technology leader ZF has strengthened its position as the world’s leading supplier of chassis components with a major agreement with a global manufacturer. The agreement underscores the importance of the company’s new Chassis Solutions Division, which creates value for its customers and enables Software Defined Vehicles with “by-wire” electronic brake control solutions. As a single source for all chassis components, ZF has signed an agreement for volume production of state-of-the-art steering and by-wire electronic brake control technology in a single vehicle class.
The project, which includes Electro-Mechanical Braking and by-wire technology for the rear brakes, will also include ZF’s Integrated Brake Control (IBC) and conventional front calipers, and will offer the manufacturer a “hybrid” braking system consisting of by-wire and hydraulics, offering greater flexibility. The agreement also includes ZF providing key steering technology with its Electric Recirculating Ball Steering Gear. This new generation braking technology, integrated with conventional braking systems and innovative steering technologies, further solidifies ZF’s leadership position in the industry in offering complete chassis solutions to its customers.
Peter Holdmann, Member of the ZF Board of Management and Head of the Chassis Solutions Division, said: “We are all proud to see that ZF’s technology leadership in the Chassis segment delivers tangible value for our customers.
“By combining our steering, brakes, shock absorbers and actuators, as well as our related software businesses, into a single division, we aim to create the world’s most comprehensive range of Chassis Solutions products and systems,” he says. “This combined centre of expertise allows us to develop comprehensive solutions that combine the most advanced engineering, innovative design and cutting-edge technologies to deliver excellent performance and safety.”
The path to software-defined tools
With Electro-Mechanical Braking (EMB), a key component of ZF’s “by-wire” electronic brake technology, it is laying the foundation for a software-defined vehicle that will pave the way for many new functions and features that focus on safety as well as driving comfort. Among the new features developed with the by-wire electronic brake control technology is the ability of the vehicle to brake and change direction autonomously in the event of a collision.
“This major agreement shows that our strategy is correct and successful,” said Holdmann. “We provide our customers with a comprehensive product portfolio of hardware and software solutions for the vertical, lateral and longitudinal dynamics of vehicle motion control from a single source. In this way, we are actively involved in the transformation of software-defined vehicles.”
Hybrid braking combined with advanced steering
The Electro-Mechanical Braking (EMB) system offered by ZF is at the heart of the dry braking system, where brake fluid is no longer required. In this system, the brake pressure is generated by electric motors, not by fluid in the hydraulic system. The brake signals from the pedal to the electric motor are also transmitted entirely electrically, hence the term “dry electronic brake control”.
Electro-Mechanical Braking works seamlessly with the Integrated Brake Control (IBC), a vacuum-free, fully integrated electro-hydraulic system that provides superior braking performance for automatic emergency braking, full energy recovery and additional backup options, including fully automatic driving for the passenger car and light commercial segments.
The “hybrid” system consists of an electric system at the rear axle and a hydraulic system at the front axle, and is compatible with ZF’s most widespread Colette-type caliper in the world. Available in single and dual-piston designs for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles, it offers high performance for all drivetrains, including electric and hybrid vehicles, as well as cost and CO2 efficiency.
The Electric Recirculating Ball Steering Gear RCB EPS is a 48V electric driven gear designed to replace existing hydraulic applications. Providing improved steering feel and performance as well as ADAS features, RCB EPS supports ADAS up to Level 2/2+ and can be adapted to higher AD levels. In addition, the product contributes as an integrated unit to reduce vehicle assembly costs and CO2 emissions.
ZF: Leader in Chassis Solutions
With over 50 years of experience in the development and production of brake systems and the production of more than three billion brake components, ZF is among the world's largest suppliers.
Following the merger of the “Active Safety Technology” and “Passenger Car Chassis Technology” divisions in January 2024, the division offers the most comprehensive portfolio of fully electronically controlled steering, braking and damping systems for software-based vehicles, and has become a true powerhouse of the sector, playing a leading role in the development and industrialization of modern chassis systems.
