The AI algorithms developed in the project and tested in a test vehicle control all actuators during automated driving according to the specified driving trajectory and optimize them.
ZF has expanded its two existing software solutions cubiX and Eco Control 4 ACC with AI algorithms that were implemented on Infineon’s AURIX™ TC4x microcontroller (MCU) with integrated parallel processing unit (PPU). The result: the artificial intelligence algorithms become more efficient and the computing power is better utilized. This in turn leads to better driving performance and greater driving safety. Compared to conventional approaches without AI, the two companies have now proven that their solution can, for example, carry out automated lane changes much more accurately. The energy efficiency of driver assistance systems such as Adaptive Cruise Control has also been increased. The improved driving performance combined with lower computing power paves the way for cost-efficient Level 2+ assistance systems.
“The EEmotion funding project shows that our algorithms based on artificial intelligence provide our customers with new benefits: AI enables products to be equipped with new functions and developed faster and more efficiently,” says Torsten Gollewski, Head of Research and Development at ZF.
“With our world-leading semiconductor products, software and services, Infineon enables customers to develop their own AI applications,” says Peter Schiefer, President of Infineon’s Automotive Division. “Our AURIX TC4x is ideal for in-car AI applications. Thanks to its parallel processing unit, it enables fast and parallel processing of data, which is essential for artificial intelligence and simplifies the next steps in automated driving towards autonomous driving.”
“In the EEmotion project, artificial intelligence was successfully integrated into safety-critical functions of the vehicle control system and validated on the software side, thus making further progress towards highly automated driving,” says Ernst Stöckl-Pukall, Head of the “Digitalization and Industry 4.0” department at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection. “The project has thus provided important impetus to strengthen the innovative power and competitiveness of the German vehicle industry.”
Software-controlled chassis control optimized with AI
The cubiX software from ZF enables the control of all chassis components of passenger cars and commercial vehicles. This includes the longitudinal and lateral dynamics as well as the vertical dynamics of the vehicle. In addition, the predictive cruise control system “Eco Control 4 ACC” is being further developed with a computationally intensive optimization algorithm and model-predictive control in order to achieve up to 8 percent more range in real driving conditions. AI algorithms were also developed in the EEmotion project, which are already applied during the development phase. This allows vehicle software to be designed more efficiently and made available to customers more quickly. The accelerated and AI-supported application of vehicle software offers vehicle manufacturers clear advantages when adapting to different vehicle models.
Microcontroller from Infineon enables use of AI algorithms
Lean, AI-based algorithms require a lot of computing power; it is therefore advisable to integrate them into powerful microcontrollers such as the AURIX TC4x. Infineon’s AURIX TC4x microcontrollers are powerful and implement the latest trends in AI modelling, virtualization, security, cybersecurity and networking functions. They pave the way for new E/E architectures and the next generation of software-defined vehicles (SDV). An important part of the AURIX TC4x is the Parallel Processing Unit (PPU), which enables powerful AI applications thanks to its fast and parallel data processing.
About the EEmotion project
The EEmotion project aimed to develop a control system for automated driving that is based on AI algorithms and ensures more precise trajectory control in various driving situations. The implementation of the project included the definition of the requirements for the AI-based functions, the development of an overall concept and corresponding hardware as well as the development of the integration of AI in control architectures for safety-critical applications. In addition, aspects such as the development of secure AI-monitored communication and the investigation of the simulative development and validation of vehicle dynamics systems were taken into account. Infineon Technologies AG acted as the network coordinator for the project with a total volume of 10.4 million euros, 59 percent of which was funded by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection (BMWK). The project ran from September 2021 to August 2024 and included partnerships with ZF Friedrichshafen AG, b-plus technologies GmbH, samoconsult GmbH, Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen and the University of Lübeck.
About ZF
ZF is a globally active technology group. The company supplies highly developed products and systems for the mobility of passenger cars, commercial vehicles and industrial technology. With a comprehensive product range, ZF primarily supplies automotive manufacturers, mobility providers and emerging companies in the transportation and mobility sector. ZF electrifies vehicles of various categories and contributes to reducing emissions, protecting the climate and making mobility safer with its products. In addition to the automotive sectors of passenger cars and commercial vehicles, ZF serves market segments such as construction and agricultural machinery, wind power, marine, rail technology and testing systems. In 2023, ZF generated sales of €46.6 billion with around 168,700 employees worldwide. The company is represented at 162 production locations in 31 countries.
About Infineon
Infineon Technologies AG is a leading global provider of semiconductor solutions for power systems and the Internet of Things (IoT). With its products and solutions, Infineon is driving decarbonization and digitalization. The company has around 58,600 employees worldwide and generated revenue of around €16.3 billion in the 2023 fiscal year (ending September).
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Further links
👉 www.infineon.com
👉 www.zf.com
Photo: pixabay
