ZF’s newest innovations feature a highway assist system that enables automatic lane changes, along with a system that leverages sensor and cloud-based data to gauge road friction, enhancing vehicle control.
ZF, known for its robust development of safety systems for commercial vehicles aimed at enhancing driving safety and reducing accident risks, has announced new advancements in safety technologies for this sector. As a global supplier, ZF offers a wide-ranging portfolio to the commercial vehicle industry, spanning individual components to comprehensive system-wide solutions. Utilizing cross-divisional technology transfer capabilities, ZF continues to push boundaries in ADAS technologies, elevating safety system innovation.
ZF’s ADAS technologies are built on advanced software and algorithms that determine the potential hazards of nearby objects. These intelligent systems are capable of detecting driver fatigue or distraction and deciding the necessary action, warning, or intervention.
The suite of ZF’s GSR ADAS technologies comprises intelligent systems that integrate sensors, software, and automatic braking. This suite includes cameras and radars adept at identifying obstacles and other road entities, such as vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists, even in blind spots. It also monitors speed signs and lane markings, while tyre pressure systems ensure proper inflation to minimize the risk of tyre blowouts.
For highway driving, ZF has evolved from the industry-leading Highway Assist Lane Change (HALC) project to develop a system that avoids the dangerous scenario of a truck attempting to overtake while another vehicle occupies the target lane, thereby helping to prevent collisions. This system is supported by ZF’s latest braking and steering platforms—OnGuardMAX, mBSP XBS, and ReAX—and an additional cabin camera that keeps a continuous check on driver alertness. It maintains safe distances from vehicles ahead and ensures that lane changes are made safely after proper checks and driver signals.
The friction-adapted ADAS system assesses road surface conditions by combining sensor data and a cloud-based database. This enables the exchange of road condition information between vehicles, enhancing road anticipation and traction estimation, which supports the effectiveness of safety systems like the Autonomous Emergency Braking System (AEBS), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Antilock Braking Systems (ABS), and Electronic Stability Control (ESC).
Additionally, ZF is advancing trailer technology with a sophisticated truck-trailer link that facilitates real-time, high-speed data and image transfers. This design prioritizes functional safety and includes multiple cameras on the trailer that assist the driver by providing views of blind spots. The system also enhances reversing assistance with an automatic braking feature.
