Bharat Mobility 2025 showcased the latest breakthroughs in India’s automotive landscape, bringing together global OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, and technology pioneers under one roof. Among the exhibitors, ZF India demonstrated how its cutting-edge “See, Think, Act” architecture redefines vehicle intelligence.
From hydraulic-free brake-by-wire systems and steer-by-wire technology to cloud-connected over-the-air updates, ZF’s innovations highlight the shift toward software-centric, highly adaptive automobiles that learn and evolve, much like our personal mobile devices. In an exclusive sit-down with Hari Shanker of Machine Maker, Ashok Kumar Jha, Director of Engineering at ZF’s Hyderabad facility, unpacked the core of this transformation.
“We provide a high degree of freedom through electronics,” he explained, pointing to ZF’s electromechanical actuators that eliminate traditional hydraulic lines and offer modular compatibility with third-party components. Beyond hardware, ZF’s ProConnect cloud platform brings smartphone-style updates to the driving experience. Ashok Kumar Jha acknowledged cybersecurity as a critical concern, detailing ZF’s three-layer defence that detects and contains potential breaches while maintaining safe fallback modes.
“Next-generation mobility is here,” he said, “and drivers will personalise their cars just as they do their phones.” With over-the-air feature enhancements, modular actuators, and AI-driven decision-making, ZF is charting a course toward vehicles that adapt to individual needs and continuously improve over their lifecycle.
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