ZF Group and Infineon Technologies AG have teamed up to develop AI-driven algorithms designed to enhance vehicle software, as part of the EEmotion project, which was co-funded by Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action. The AI algorithms, successfully tested in a vehicle, optimize and control all actuators to improve automated driving based on the vehicle’s desired path.
The project’s goal was to create an AI-based control system that delivers precise trajectory management across various driving conditions. This involved setting requirements for AI-based functionalities, designing an overarching system concept, and integrating AI into control systems for safety-critical automotive applications.
ZF has enhanced its existing cubiX and Eco Control 4 ACC software solutions by incorporating these AI algorithms on Infineon’s AURIX TC4x microcontroller, which includes a Parallel Processing Unit (PPU). This upgrade has improved the efficiency of AI algorithms, leading to better driving performance and enhanced safety, while reducing the demand for computing power. Compared to traditional non-AI methods, the new system can perform automated lane changes more accurately and boost the energy efficiency of features like Adaptive Cruise Control. These advancements make it possible to offer more cost-effective Level 2+ driver assistance systems.
Torsten Gollewski, Head of Research and Development at ZF, commented, “The EEmotion project demonstrates how our AI-based algorithms give our customers a competitive edge, enabling faster and more efficient product development.”
Peter Schiefer, President of Infineon’s Automotive Division, added, “Infineon’s AURIX TC4x microcontroller is ideally suited for in-car AI applications due to its ability to process data rapidly and in parallel, advancing the future of automated and autonomous driving.”
Ernst Stoeckl-Pukall, from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, emphasized the significance of the project in integrating AI into vehicle safety functions, which marks an important step towards highly automated driving.
AI-Optimized Chassis Control Systems
ZF’s cubiX software manages all chassis components, controlling the vehicle’s dynamics in multiple dimensions—longitudinal, lateral, and vertical. Meanwhile, the Eco Control 4 ACC system, which handles predictive cruise control, has been further enhanced using advanced algorithms, achieving up to 8% more range in real driving scenarios.
The AI algorithms developed through the EEmotion project also improve the efficiency of vehicle software design from the initial development stages, speeding up the time it takes for manufacturers to bring AI-optimized systems to market and adapt them to various vehicle models.
Infineon’s Microcontrollers Power AI Integration
Infineon’s AURIX TC4x microcontrollers, equipped with a Parallel Processing Unit, offer the high computing power needed for AI-based applications. These microcontrollers support advancements in AI modeling, functional safety, cybersecurity, and networking, enabling the next generation of Software-Defined Vehicles (SDV). Infineon asserts that its AURIX TC4x microcontrollers play a crucial role in advancing vehicle electronics and paving the way for powerful AI applications in the automotive sector.
