Zf asia-pacific innovation day: Multiple Cutting-Edge Technologies Launch, Leading Intelligent Electric Mobility

On November 10th, ZF Asia Pacific Innovation Day kicked off in Shanghai, launching a week-long technology feast. At the event, ZF showcased over 20 engineering prototype vehicles and about 70 exhibits, comprehensively presenting its latest achievements in the fields of intelligence, electrification, and software. Several technologies made their global or China debut, demonstrating its strong capabilities in driving the transformation of the automotive industry. The event attracted over 700 guests from vehicle manufacturers, industry experts, and media, all witnessing new breakthroughs in future mobility.

Figure: ZF Asia-Pacific Innovation Day 2025

Dr. Peter Holdmann, a member of the ZF Group Board of Management, stated: "Innovation is in our DNA, and it has been our heritage for a century. For over a century, we have been evolving from mechanical systems to software-defined technologies, leading the future of mobility through intelligent systems, electrification, and digitalization. Today, this is particularly evident in the Asia-Pacific region. We regard the Asia-Pacific market as a technological stronghold and innovation center. With solutions for software-defined vehicles, we are creating smarter, safer, and more sustainable future-oriented mobility solutions."

Image: Dr. Peter Holdmann, Member of the Board of Management, ZF Group

Wang Runyi, Executive Vice President of ZF Group, President of ZF China, and President of Operations for Asia Pacific, stated: "China is not only a key pivot for ZF's innovation but also a forefront for leading global technological development. Based in the local market, we consistently focus on four main pillars: customer-centricity, innovation as an engine, technology-driven approaches, and cooperation for symbiosis. We continue to strengthen local capabilities across the entire value chain, including R&D, manufacturing, supply chain, and ecosystem."

Picture: ZF Group Executive Vice President, President of China Region, and President of Asia-Pacific Operations, Wang Runyi

Chassis 2.0 Leading the Way Major Release of Innovative Technology

In this event, ZF has three concepts and technologies making their global debut—they are being equipped on engineering prototype cars and put into track experience for the first time within ZF's global operations. These include Chassis 2.0, a direct-drive feel simulator, and a steer-by-wire front axle actuator and electromechanical brake designed based on 48-volt technology. Additionally, there are three China debuts, including the EasyTurn suspension front axle system, the next-generation intelligent chassis sensors, and the third-generation high-efficiency AKC.

Chassis 2.0: Through the Chassis 2.0 strategy, ZF aims to develop and deliver intelligent connected actuators. We focus on the synergy of sensors, software, and actuators within chassis systems, and can flexibly apply these technologies at both the vehicle and system level to achieve intelligent intervention. For example, in driver assistance systems or autonomous driving, ZF can even provide independent software or hardware solutions. Taking the vehicle motion control software cubiX as an example, this platform manages all chassis components through unified control logic—regardless of whether the controlled hardware is from ZF.

Image: ZF Chassis 2.0

As the core highlight of this event, ZF's "Chassis 2.0" concept was showcased for the first time on an engineering prototype vehicle. This system decouples software and hardware and uses centralized control to integrate subsystems such as steering, braking, and electric drive into a cohesive system, thereby further enhancing chassis and vehicle performance. The system incorporates various networked actuators, such as steer-by-wire, Active Kinematics Control (AKC) for rear-wheel steering, electronic anti-roll stabilization, and electric drive, to optimize driving performance at both the vehicle and system levels. This aids in the implementation of ADAS and autonomous driving functions, improving overall vehicle safety and handling. The prototype vehicle is equipped with many products from ZF's "Chassis 2.0" concept, such as the steer-by-wire system, electric drive system, Integrated Brake Control system (IBC), and rear-wheel steering system (AKC), all controlled by the vehicle motion control software cubiX.

Direct Drive Hand Wheel Actuator The steer-by-wire actuator adopts a streamlined optimized mechatronic design, combining a main circuit with an unpowered auxiliary circuit. The main and auxiliary circuits work closely to enhance driving performance and ensure compliance with safety requirements, while providing additional functions in the event of a safety incident. This simplified product retains the core advantages of steer-by-wire, such as improved adaptability for different variant models and the ability to define steering feel and steering ratio through software. Meanwhile, it incorporates ZF's core advantages—low friction, compact design, and exceptional steering feel—into a more versatile direct-drive solution. Therefore, the ZF direct-drive feel simulator is an ideal choice for vehicles of class B and above.

48-volt-based design of steer-by-wire front axle actuator and electromechanical brake.Compared to the 12-volt power supply architecture, the 48-volt power supply architecture for the same power can significantly reduce system current and decrease line losses. This design can support higher power loads, optimize overall costs, effectively enhance system and vehicle operational efficiency, and is suitable for brake-by-wire and steer-by-wire applications.

In the field of intelligent chassis, ZF has three China debuts:

EasyTurn Suspension Front Axle System:Leveraging the technological accumulation from ZF's steer-by-wire and suspension R&D, the EasyTurn suspension front axle system allows the front wheels to achieve a maximum steering angle of up to 80 degrees, reducing the turning diameter of a mid-size D-class sedan from over 11 meters to about 7 meters. This significantly enhances urban driving agility, enabling a U-turn on narrow roads. The innovative front axle system offers dual advantages for passenger and freight vehicles, performing exceptionally well in crowded urban areas, narrow alleys, construction sites, traffic congestion, or loading and unloading zones.

Image: ZF EasyTurn Suspension Front Axle System

New generation intelligent chassis sensor:A few months ago, intelligent chassis sensors just achieved mass production. Now, ZF has launched a new generation of intelligent chassis sensors, characterized by embedding a three-dimensional accelerometer directly into the ball joint. This sensor can accurately measure the relative movement of the vehicle body, capturing acceleration of the chassis in three dimensions. Through the collaboration of hardware and software, the expanded dataset lays the foundation for a series of intelligent and attractive functions and services, such as enabling continuous real-time monitoring of the chassis component status, becoming the vehicle's "digital health tracker." This sensor can be integrated with ZF's CDC® semi-active continuous damping control suspension system and sMOTION.^®Seamless integration of fully active suspension systems and other features provides data support for vehicle safety and maintenance.

Image: ZF's New Generation Intelligent Chassis Sensor

Third-generation high-efficiency AKCAt Innovation Day, this product also made its debut in China. Unlike the traditional approach of simply increasing motor power, this product innovatively utilizes the additional self-locking performance provided by the new motor to significantly enhance mechanical efficiency, thereby improving vehicle handling and operational noise performance.

Accelerated innovation in electric drive, showcasing cutting-edge technologies.

In the field of electric drive, ZF has globally launched the innovative eRE plus range-extended drive system. This system is specifically designed by ZF for Chinese new energy vehicles and has been first equipped on Leapmotor's newly launched flagship model D19. As a four-in-one range-extended drive system, it uses only one set of electric motor control, providing the power experience of pure electric four-wheel drive and extending the range through an efficient range-extending mode when the battery is low, achieving more than a 30% cost reduction. Especially given the current trend of range-extended models with large battery capacity and long range, this product offers unique value to customers in terms of performance, cost, lightweight design, and space utilization. ZF has completed the first off-line prototype of the eRE Plus hard module and plans to start mass production (PreSOP) of the assembly in the first quarter of 2026.

Image: ZF eRE Plus innovative range extension drive system

The planetary gear coaxial reducer developed by the ZF China team has achieved global mass production for the first time this year. This product significantly enhances efficiency while saving half of the space and weight, empowering vehicles to meet increasingly stringent energy consumption regulations. Additionally, ZF has further integrated an electronic limited-slip differential (eLSD) based on this product, providing vehicles with moderate off-road capability and excellent driving control for driving pleasure.

To better serve the Chinese market, ZF has officially launched the localization process for the fourth-generation hybrid transmission. The project is expected to achieve mass production in the third quarter of 2026 and has already successfully secured the first batch of orders from leading domestic car manufacturers.

In addition, ZF showcased a variety of products based on CIPB (Chip Inlay Power Board) technology, including CIPC (Chip Inlay Power Core) of different power levels, demonstrating its strong capabilities and continuous investment in technological innovation. ZF's embedded electronic control products have achieved significant advantages over traditional packaged power modules in terms of thermal management, performance, power density, and cost. They have also addressed the reliability challenges commonly associated with embedded technology in high-voltage, high-power scenarios, laying a solid foundation for imminent industrialization.

搭载征程 6P，Jointly develop advanced driver assistance solutions

ZF has released the coPILOT driver assistance system with a maximum computing power of 1000+ TOPs, based on ZF's independently developed "ProAI" computing platform. It deeply integrates Horizon's latest Journey 6P and features industry-leading Transformer support efficiency, efficiently supporting advanced large models such as VLM, VLA, and end-to-end models. It comprehensively supports high-speed driving assistance, urban driving assistance, automatic parking functions, and full-scenario seamless driving assistance from parking spot to parking spot, providing users with a safer, more convenient, and intelligent travel experience. The system is scheduled for mass production delivery in 2026 and will be applied to a domestic independent brand electric vehicle platform after mass production.

The "Cai Ruixing" ProAI 124A domain controller is a mid-level domain controller equipped with the Journey 6M, which boasts 128 TOPS computing power and supports both air and liquid cooling solutions. When integrated with ZF's modular driving and parking function suite, it can provide L2+ assisted driving solutions.

In addition, ZF also showcased the SCAM6 smart camera, including an 8-megapixel high-performance smart camera based on Mobileye EQ6L and Horizon Journey 6B, which can meet the entry-level intelligent driving needs of different markets both domestically and internationally.

Redefining Cabin Safety: Intelligent Restraints and Multi-Scenario Protection

ZF LIFETEC's intelligent adaptive restraint system intuitively presents the occupant perception in zero-gravity conditions, the pre-collision algorithm, and the collaborative mechanism of restraint execution, addressing adaptive occupant safety protection in new cabin multi-scenario situations. The system is divided into three main parts: perception, decision-making, and execution, along with system integration. Additionally, ZF LIFETEC showcased a multifunctional steering wheel, next-generation heated seat belts, and other passive safety product series.

Five major brands assembled, after-sales. Supporting Electrification and Efficient Mobility

The ZF Aftermarket Division showcased its five premium brands: ZF, LEMFÖRDER, SACHS, TRW, and WABCO. Leveraging its deep OEM technology expertise and profound insights into the replacement market, it presented a variety of star products and service combinations aligned with the electrification trend. The aim is to work with partners to jointly enhance uptime in mobility.