Schaeffler and Sonatus, a leader in software-defined vehicle technology, have announced a global partnership. Together, they are bringing artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms directly to electronic control units (ECUs) for software-defined vehicles.

By combining Schaeffler's control units with Sonatus' AI-based software, the companies bring intelligence directly into the vehicle. This accelerates development processes, reduces complexity, and enables continuous optimization of functions throughout the entire vehicle lifecycle.

Software-defined vehicles require more than just high-performance hardware – they only come about through the seamless interplay of hardware, software, and data. This is precisely where the joint solution comes in: It integrates the Sonatus technologies "Sonatus Collector AI" and "Sonatus AI Director" into Schaeffler's control units, thus creating an immediately usable foundation for the next generation of vehicle architectures, while simultaneously accelerating time to market.

“Software-defined vehicles require a robust and scalable hardware foundation,” says Thomas Stierle, Board Member for E-Mobility at Schaeffler AG. “Our control units execute data-driven and AI-supported functions directly in the vehicle, thus enabling the next generation of vehicle architectures.”

From hardware to intelligent systems

As a motion technology company, Schaeffler contributes its cross-domain control units and comprehensive system integration expertise in the areas of powertrain, energy, chassis, and body. This allows the company to create the foundation for centralized and zonal vehicle architectures that form the backbone of software-defined vehicles.

Sonatus brings to the partnership its proven expertise in production-ready, AI-based technologies for software-defined vehicles, which are already used in more than 8 million vehicles worldwide. Sonatus' solutions extend Schaeffler's systems with integrated AI functions:

“Sonatus Collector AI” enables targeted data collection in real time – without relying on extensive data logs.
“Sonatus AI Director” handles the execution and lifecycle management of AI models directly in the vehicle.
“Centralizing hardware is just the first step. The software-defined vehicle emerges when AI is executed directly in the vehicle and the hardware continuously learns and evolves. Together with Schaeffler, we are transforming static control units into dynamic, intelligent systems,” says Jeff Chou, CEO and co-founder of Sonatus.

Clear advantages for car manufacturers

Together, the partners enable automakers to execute and continuously optimize key vehicle functions, such as steering, braking, and energy management, directly on the control units. New functions and improvements can be implemented throughout the entire lifecycle – without any hardware changes.

Flexible data acquisition also enables faster error analysis and deeper insights into vehicle performance. This allows automakers to better manage increasing system complexity and significantly shorten their development cycles.

The partnership underscores Schaeffler's strategic focus on software and systems expertise for software-defined vehicles. Through the close integration of hardware, embedded software, and systems integration, Schaeffler supports its customers in managing increasing complexity and implementing new vehicle architectures more quickly.

“Our central control units are equipped with a pre-integrated software infrastructure, which also includes solutions from Sonatus. This significantly simplifies integration for our customers and helps them to centralize their software architectures more quickly,” says Rodrigo Peres, Senior Vice President Business Unit Vehicle and Battery Controls at Schaeffler AG.

Schaeffler Group – We pioneer motion

For 80 years, the Schaeffler Group has been driving pioneering inventions and developments in the field of motion technology. With innovative technologies, products, and services in the areas of electromobility, CO₂-efficient drives, chassis solutions, and renewable energies, the company is a reliable partner for making movement more efficient, intelligent, and sustainable – throughout the entire product lifecycle. Schaeffler describes its comprehensive product and service portfolio using eight product families: from bearing solutions and linear guides of all kinds to repair and monitoring services. With around 110,000 employees at more than 250 locations in 55 countries, Schaeffler is one of the world's largest family-owned companies and among the most innovative companies in Germany.

About Sonatus

Sonatus is a leading technology provider for intelligent, software-defined vehicles that are scalable and upgradeable. Our AI solutions and software-defined technologies enable original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and suppliers to reduce costs, accelerate time to market, and deliver uncompromising quality. Founded in 2018, Sonatus is privately held and backed by leading investors in the automotive, semiconductor, and venture capital sectors. The company's technology is already deployed in more than 8 million production vehicles from leading global automakers. Sonatus is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California (Silicon Valley), with a regional headquarters in Dublin and offices in Bangalore, Detroit, Frankfurt, Krakow, Paris, Pune, Seoul, Shanghai, Taipei, and Tokyo. For more information, please visit www.sonatus.com

Contacts
contact person

Theresa Kronthaler,
Head of Communications E-Mobility, Schaeffler
Vitesco Technologies GmbH, Regensburg
+49 151 52678082
theresa.kronthaler@mail.schaeffler.com

Desiree Balk,
Senior Communications Manager E-Mobility, Schaeffler
Vitesco Technologies GmbH, Regensburg
+49 941 2031 4970
desiree.balk@mail.schaeffler.com

 

Source: businesswire.com

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