Bosch doubles down on electric car market

The world’s largest auto parts maker has shared its latest mobility concepts ahead of welcoming 5,000 guests to Berlin for its Bosch Connected World conference next week.

These are the areas where Bosch is developing solutions.

Electric charging

Bosch has developed an integrated charging and navigation solution, called Convenience Charging, which provides drivers of electric vehicles with price range forecasts, route planning that helps them factor in how many recharging stops will be needed, and easy charging and payment methods.

The system also uses geopositioning services to help drivers make the most of their re-charging stops. For example, the software sports a reservation platform that allows users to book a table at a nearby restaurant quickly. It’ll even suggest eateries, bars and cafes based on the driver’s preferences.

Another feature is mobile charging services, allowing drivers to charge their electric vehicle when there isn’t a nearby charging facility. Bosch is working with third-party providers like Berlin-based Chargery to enable this ability using cargo bikes to take batteries to cars.

Communication between cars

In the future, cars will be able to communicate with each other thanks to IoT technology. Bosch provides direct vehicle-to-everything communication through its smart connectivity unit, which uses transmission technologies such as wi-fi to communicate between vehicles.

IoT technology extends internet capabilities to physical devices and everyday devices, such as wearables, home appliances, smart cities, remote monitoring equipment and retail solutions. Using built-in sensors, these devices can communicate with each other and be controlled remotely over IoT networks.

This technology allows vehicles to communicate with each other regardless of car manufacturer or country. Bosch has teamed up with Portuguese startup Veniam to streamline the complexity of managing data connections, making it possible for vehicles to identify the best transmission technology. With this tech, cars will be able to alert each other of accidents, traffic jams and difficult weather conditions.

Cloud software updates

Cars quickly age if their software isn’t updated. Bosch, like many other manufacturers, is implementing cloud-based software updates to ensure cars stay on the road for 15 years or more.

Bosch IoT suite software updates in-car features such as control units, communication infrastructure, modern encryption technologies and cloud services. The firm claims to have updated more than five million cars with this technology.

Rapid assistance

Bosch has teamed up with Vivitar, a smart personal safety app, to provide an in-car rapid assistance service. Whether a driver is on foot or in the car, it’ll make sure help arrives quickly when the authorities are alerted.

The service combines the Vivitar app and Vivitar telematics plug, which plugs into the car’s cigarette lighter and connects with the smartphone app. This technology can detect car accidents and automatically calls for help when an emergency is detected.

Security

As is the case with other areas of the IoT ecosystem, connected technology is easily vulnerable to attack. When it comes to cars, attackers could access vehicle data or cryptographic keys as well as take control of backend systems. That’s why in-car security is so important.

Bosch takes the view that combining manufacturing IT security, embedded IT security and enterprise IT security is the best way to tackle these threats. Bosch’s security subsidiary, ESCRYPT, is developing a range of integrated solutions for the whole automotive value chain – including car manufacturing, connected vehicles, connected backend systems and mobility services.

Augmented Reality experiences

While AR may sound like something out of a sci-fi movie, its impact is already being felt in the real world. After forming a partnership with Microsoft, Bosch is using the tech giant’s Hololens 2 headset to train mechanics to repair vehicles quickly and effectively.

One example is a training programme for high-voltage vehicle systems. The visualisation provided by AR gives participants detailed insights into the structure and functionality of the components.

Air pollution

In a bid to make air quality monitoring more effective and less expensive in cities, Bosch has developed its own pollutant system. Available as compact units, the technology can be deployed quickly and easily throughout cities – for example at street lights or bus stops – and measures particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, temperature, pressure and humidity in real time. Bosch then uses this data to advise cities on traffic planning and management.

Bosch Connected World is due to take place on 15 and 16 May in Berlin.