ZF and Goodyear develop system against aquaplaning

Who hasn't experienced it: it rains cats and dogs from the sky, the water remains on the road and aquaplaning occurs. The vehicle can quickly float because the tires can no longer drain the water film effectively. The risk of losing control of the vehicle is high. The consequences can be devastating.

Aquaplaning can lead to dangerous situations, especially on highways or at higher speeds. That is why the renowned companies ZF and Goodyear have joined forces to develop an innovative system for greater safety in wet conditions. ZF has developed the Cubix control software for this purpose, which networks driver assistance systems and their chassis sensors.

However, the software can do much more. Cubix controls all actuators on the chassis side, i.e. electric motors or electromagnetic valves, centrally and in fractions of a second. The highlight here is that the hardware does not necessarily have to come from ZF; components from other manufacturers can also be controlled via Cubix. One major advantage is the optimization of driving behavior. The ZF software ensures more harmonious acceleration and braking as well as more precise steering and balanced damping.

The intelligent networking of chassis systems is particularly important for automated vehicles, as it forms the basis for advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). Thanks to the software function, a much wider range of driving characteristics can be implemented with one and the same basic chassis. From comfortable cruising to dynamic and sporty driving.

Floating of the vehicle is detected at an early stage

But back to aquaplaning. The tire manufacturer Goodyear contributes the Sightline system, which uses an intelligent tire algorithm that is integrated directly into the tire as a chip. With Sightline, special sensors continuously measure the tire pressure and temperature and permanently record the tread depth of the tires, which is compared with the current road conditions. This data is transmitted to the vehicle control system, which then analyzes the information and takes appropriate action. As soon as the two interlinked Cubix and Sightline systems detect standing water on the road, they can take targeted countermeasures to prevent the vehicle from floating.

First series application in the Lotus

By integrating this data into the vehicle control system, the system can warn the driver in good time. If necessary, Cubix actively intervenes in the vehicle settings to improve handling and ensure safety. If there is an increased risk of aquaplaning, Cubix reduces the speed of the vehicle, supports the driver in his reactions and helps to stabilize the car. This significantly reduces the risk of aquaplaning and, in the best case, eliminates it altogether.

The Lotus Eletre from the Geely Group is the first production vehicle with the new technology from ZF. In the sports car brand's first SUV, the Cubix software controls the braking system, the electromechanical steering and the electronically controlled chassis. Further series launches at other car manufacturers will follow, as the technology can be implemented independently of the manufacturer and without major integration effort using one and the same control platform.

ZF is expanding its portfolio, as the software originally developed for passenger cars will soon also be available for commercial vehicles. The technology has been adapted to the individual needs and requirements of commercial vehicle manufacturers and includes, among other things, a so-called Trailer Stability Assist, which minimizes the risk of trailer vibrations. Current tests with the control software have already been successful in a long-term study under real-life conditions. Cubix will soon be helping truckers to reach their destination safely, even in difficult road conditions. (aum)