New Safety Technology for Heavy-Duty Trucks Debuts at CES 2025
In an exciting development for the automotive industry, Schaeffler has unveiled its innovative Magnetic Steering 'Brake' technology at CES 2025, aimed at heavy-duty trucks. This novel system, which utilises magnetorheological (MR) technology, promises to enhance safety, steering feel, and efficiency in these vehicles.
The Magnetic Steering 'Brake' introduces a physical locking force to the steering mechanism, providing a fail-safe operation in the event of electronic control failure. This is a significant advantage over some steer-by-wire designs that lack mechanical backups. Moreover, the system offers more precise and variable resistance or feedback to the driver, potentially mimicking traditional steering feel better than pure electronic steer-by-wire.
However, the integration of magnetic brakes adds electromagnetic components and associated control electronics, which might increase system complexity and cost relative to some steer-by-wire designs. Heavy-duty vehicles operate in tough environments, and magnetic components might be sensitive to temperature extremes, dust, or moisture, possibly requiring robust sealing and maintenance.
ZF, another industry leader, is set to enter production of a hybridised version of its ubiquitous "8HP" automatic transmission at its Gray Court, SC facility. The company has also signed a contract to provide five million dry-corner rear brake-by-wire systems for class 2-5 trucks, handling service and parking brake functions using ball-ramp-type actuators per wheel. This technology, while separate from Schaeffler's Magnetic Steering 'Brake', demonstrates ZF's commitment to advancing automotive technology.
Schaeffler's Planetary Roller-Screw Rear Steering Gear, another technology showcased at CES 2025, provides a ratio change in rotational speed and can control greater forces than a ball-screw actuator, making it suitable for steering dual rear wheels or a heavily loaded axle.
The cost of going all-in on brake-by-wire in the front is still considered prohibitive. However, the magnetic steering 'brake' allows the use of a smaller motor compared to traditional steer-by-wire systems, potentially reducing overall system cost and complexity.
In conclusion, Schaeffler's Magnetic Steering 'Brake' offers a middle ground, combining mechanical safety via magnetic holding forces with the responsiveness of electronic control, enhancing safety and steering feel in heavy-duty vehicles. While it may introduce additional complexity and maintenance considerations compared to existing steer-by-wire systems, it helps address key challenges in heavy-duty vehicle steering. For detailed and specific insights, consulting Schaeffler technical releases or industry analyses would be recommended.
- Schaeffler's Magnetic Steering 'Brake', a technology unveiled at CES 2025, provides a physical locking force, ensuring fail-safe operation in heavy-duty trucks during electronic control failure.
- This innovative system, leveraging magnetorheological (MR) technology, aims to enhance safety, steering feel, and efficiency in heavy-duty vehicles.
- The addition of magnetic brakes in the Magnetic Steering 'Brake' system might increase system complexity and cost, given tough environmental factors such as temperature extremes, dust, or moisture.
- ZF, another industry leader, plans to produce a hybridized version of its "8HP" automatic transmission and five million dry-corner rear brake-by-wire systems for class 2-5 trucks.
- ZF's commitment to advancing automotive technology is apparent with the production of hybrid "8HP" transmissions and dry-corner rear brake-by-wire systems.
- Schaeffler's Planetary Roller-Screw Rear Steering Gear, also showcased at CES 2025, controls greater forces than a ball-screw actuator, making it suitable for steering dual rear wheels or a heavily loaded axle.
- The cost of fully implementing brake-by-wire in the front of heavy-duty vehicles is still considered high; however, the magnetic steering 'brake' offers a potential cost reduction with the use of a smaller motor.
- Motor Trend and other industry analyses provide detailed and specific insights into Schaeffler's Magnetic Steering 'Brake' and its impact on the automotive industry, transportation, and finance.
- The Magnetic Steering 'Brake' represents a middle ground in heavy-duty vehicle steering technology, combining mechanical safety with the responsiveness of electronic control, thereby enhancing safety and steering feel.
