NIO and ZF Group signed a strategic cooperation agreement in Munich, Germany, on October 11. The two companies will be working together to develop steer-by-wire (SBW) technology for autonomous driving.
According to the press release from ZF Group, both companies have also agreed to establish an instant information-sharing mechanism to deepen communication and conduct regular technical exchanges to engage in industry-leading processes and quality standards jointly.
The press release added that ZF and NIO would also collaborate in brand promotion, product marketing, technology and quality enhancements, and customer service.
“ZF’s new steer-by-wire system is a market-leading, cutting-edge technology. We are excited to be working closely with NIO, an outstanding representative of the Chinese automotive industry that is actively engaged in technology and business model innovation and a pioneer in the globalization of the Chinese automotive industry.” Dr. Holger Klein, Member of the Board of Management, ZF Group, said. “We will continue to expand our cooperation with leading automotive customers against the backdrop of the connectivity, electrification, and autonomous megatrends and give full play to ZF’s technology strengths to play an increasingly important role in the open automotive ecosystem.”
“As vehicles become increasingly electric, autonomous, and software defined, ZF has been establishing a leading position in the industry with its comprehensive by-wire technology offerings, and has been awarded significant contracts by multiple customers with steer-by-wire launches schedules in all major regions,” said Christophe Marnat, Executive Vice President, Active Safety Systems, ZF Group.
ZF is one of the leading groups in SBW, with contracts with several European and American Automakers. The company plans to mass-produce SBW systems in major markets worldwide.
SBW allows for the complete decoupling of the steering wheel and wheels and is essential for the steer-by-wire chassis, responsible for the lateral control of the entire vehicle, says CnEVPost.
Furthermore, SBW is necessary to achieve advanced autonomous and gives greater imagination in intelligent cockpit design.
Some countries have adopted the technology for production vehicles, although it is not utilized in China yet. The SBW working group of the China Automotive Technology and Research Center (CATARC) announced that it would initiate the development of a national standard on the technology. NIO, Jidu, and Geely lead the effort.
Notably, the signing of this agreement marks ZF Group cooperating with a customer in the SBW business in the Asia Pacific region. It also marks the time the two companies collaborate to promote the development and evolution of technology in autonomous driving and electrification.
