China Automotive Chassis-By-Wire Report, 2020-2021

Chassis-by-Wire Research: China’s Brake-by-Wire Assembly Rate Is only 2%, Indicating Huge Growth Potentials

With the mass production of L3-L4 autonomous driving, the necessity of Chassis-by-Wire has become increasingly prominent. What is the status quo of Chassis-by-Wire? What is the more advanced product form? Who will lead this market?

1. Brake-by-Wire takes the lead in mass production, and Bosch dominates the field

There are two key Chassis-by-Wire products: Brake-by-Wire and Steer-by-Wire. Brake-by-Wire has taken the lead in mass production thanks to the demand from new energy vehicles and L3 autonomous driving. China's Brake-by-Wire assembly rate was 1.6% in 2020, and it is expected to exceed 2.5% in 2021.

In 2020, Bosch's Brake-by-Wire products (iBooster, iBooster 2.0, IPB) seized a market share of over 90%, signaling an absolute dominant position.

2. In the EMB era, Brembo, Mando, Haldex, and EA Chassis get a head start

Currently, Brake-by-Wire is mainly divided into Electro-Hydraulic Brake (EHB) and Electro-Mechanical Brake (EMB).

EHB evolves from the traditional hydraulic brake system. Compared with the traditional hydraulic brake system, EHB boasts a more compact structure and better braking efficiency. It is currently the main mass production solution of the Brake-by-Wire system. Bosch IPB/iBooster, Continental MK C1/MK C2, ZF TRW IBC, Bethel Automotive Safety Systems WCBS, etc. are all EHB solutions.

EMB completely abandons brake fluid and hydraulic pipelines that are seen in the traditional brake system, but uses the motor to drive the brake to generate the braking force. It is a true Brake-by-Wire system and is expected to become the development trend.

At present, there are no mature EMB products on the market. Major foreign companies such as Brembo, Mando, and Haldex have displayed or released related products, and they may get a head start in future marketization.

In April 2021, Brembo released its Brake-by-Wire product at the Shanghai Auto Show. Brembo has been studying the Brake-by-Wire technology based on mechatronics since 2001.

Mando announced its Brake-by-Wire technology at CES 2021, which is composed of 4 units of EMB (Electro Mechanical Brake), mounted on “4-corner module (4 wheels)”, “E-Brake-Pedal (Electronic brake pedal)”, and DCU (Domain Control Unit).

In May 2020, Zhejiang Vie Science & Technology Co., Ltd. and Haldex invested RMB15 million each in establishing Suzhou Haldex Vie, which is dedicated to the production and sale of EMB products. The EMB launched by Haldex Vie targets the commercial vehicle market and can be used on city buses, coaches, trucks and tractors.

Among domestic automakers, EA Chassis, a subsidiary of Great Wall Motor, has researched EMB by itself and released related products during the 2021 Shanghai Auto Show.

3. Steer-by-Wire represents the next-generation development route

Compared with the booming Brake-by-Wire market, Steer-by-Wire seems too quiet. At present, only four production models of Infiniti adopt mechanically redundant Steer-by-Wire (namely Direct Adaptive Steering? (DAS)) from Kayaba.

DAS retains the mechanical transmission steering mode. When Steer-by-Wire fails, the driver can take over the control. But for autonomous driving, the backup & redundant technology roadmap of the electronic control system may be a better choice.

The electronic control system backup & redundant steering (SBW) uses multiple motor controllers at the actuator (steering mechanism) to achieve redundancy. At the steering wheel, multiple sensors are arranged to enable the redundancy of the input signal. Therefore, it can completely remove the mechanical connection between the steering wheel and steering gear. On this basis, it is possible for autonomous vehicles to let the steering wheel extend or retract, which can diversify the layout of the cockpit.

4. SBW will see mass production in 2022-2023, with Bosch and Mando taking the lead in layout

Currently, SBW is still dominated by foreign companies. Bosch, Mando, JTEKT, Nexteer, Schaeffler, etc. have taken the lead in the layout, and they will conduct mass production in 2022-2023.

Bosch will launch SBW- Motor Redundant Backup System in 2023

Bosch adopts the redundant backup technology roadmap for the electronic control system. Its Steer-by-Wire system was first unveiled at the 2019 Shanghai Auto Show, but the product is expected to be applied in 2023.

Mando will mass-produce Steer-by-Wire products in 2022

In January 2021, Mando unveiled its new vision based on safety and freedom, the “Freedom in Mobility”, at CES 2021. Under this vision, Mando demonstrated the “x-by-Wire” technology including Mando’s BbW (Brake-by-Wire) and SbW (Steer-by-Wire)

Mando built its SbW on a redundant E/E architecture and it can be continuously upgraded. It will be mass-produced at the Opelika plant in Alabama, North America, at first, in 2022.

Summary:

On the whole, companies that deploy Brake-by-Wire and Steer-by-Wire simultaneously are more likely to provide users with integrated Chassis-by-Wire solutions, and will grab more lucrative opportunities before autonomous driving is implemented. At present, such companies include Bosch, CNXMotion (a joint venture between Continental and Nexteer), ZF, Mando and other foreign companies, as well as Chinese companies like NASN.

In addition, China-based Great Wall Motor has also started its layout. It conducts independent research and development of Brake-by-Wire and Steer-by-Wire through its two subsidiaries, EA Chassis and HYCET. In 2023, Great Wall Motor will commercialize smart Chassis-by-Wire which integrates a new EEA, Steer-by-Wire, Brake-by-Wire, Shift-by-Wire, Throttle-by-Wire and Suspension-by-Wire to dabble in L4 autonomous driving.