WABCO Holdings Inc. (NYSE: WBC), the leading global supplier of braking control systems and other advanced technologies that improve the safety, efficiency and connectivity of commercial vehicles today announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Nidec Motor Corporation (Nidec), a subsidiary of Nidec Corporation, the world’s number one Comprehensive Motor Manufacturer (TSE: 6594), to define, develop, manufacture and commercialize fully integrated electric drivetrain and brake control solutions for longitudinal control of commercial vehicles.
There is no existing powertrain solution in the industry today that integrates vehicle controls (braking system and electronic stability control) and electric motor controls. Developing a fully integrated, electric drive train solution by combining WABCO’s industry leading vehicle dynamics and controls with Nidec’s leading edge motors and inverter technologies will enable breakthrough efficiencies across all operating modes for fully electric operated buses, trucks and trailers.
The intent is to first develop these technologies for city buses as well as for electric trailer solutions as demonstrated in WABCO’s eTrailer prototype. These solutions can be further scaled to other commercial vehicle platforms as applicable in global markets.
The fully integrated electric drivetrain solution will operate on vehicle control information received from driver inputs (use of accelerator and brake pedals) to automate decision flow on how to accelerate or decelerate the vehicle in the most prudent and economic way. By introducing advanced, fully integrated electric drivetrain solutions in this market segment, WABCO and Nidec will provide best-in-class, efficient energy management, while maintaining stable vehicle dynamics. Also, the electric drivetrain solution will enable improved energy recuperation across all use cases which will contribute to additional efficiency gains.
Beyond the improvements in efficiency that this solution will offer it will also help offset some of the development and application costs for vehicle manufacturers, thereby reducing the total cost of ownership. Today, the cost of the battery represents a major portion of the total cost of a vehicle. Through this solution, battery capacity and size will be reduced, owing to leaps in efficiency improvements. Moreover, by optimizing the integration of the electronics, fewer electronic control units (ECUs) will be required.
Further, by reducing the complexity of the drivetrain and by fully supporting longitudinal vehicle control (acceleration and deceleration), this solution will result in just one simplified interface for autonomous driving applications.
“The close collaboration between the two world leaders in their respective fields is essential to generate superior innovative system solutions for the next generation of electric buses, trucks and trailers. This would be a more difficult, if not impossible, task if each were to work alone,” said Kei Pang, Chief Business Development & Strategy Officer of Nidec.
“By combining our industry leading braking, steering and vehicle control systems with Nidec’s highly efficient electric motors and inverters, we will enable vehicle manufacturers to gain a new standard of drivetrain efficiency, through energy recuperation across all possible driving scenarios,” said Dr. Christian Brenneke, WABCO Chief Technology Officer and Head of Engineering. “I am excited by the possibilities that this strategic cooperation will open up for vehicle manufacturers and the industry at large,” added Brenneke.
For WABCO, this strategic cooperation agreement with Nidec, a global technology leader for electric motors and inverters, will further extend its global technology leadership position within commercial vehicles into the nascent market for fully electrified drivetrain solutions for trucks and buses.
WABCO at IAA Commercial Vehicles 2018
WABCO will showcase its industry-leading technologies and services that improve the safety, efficiency and connectivity of commercial vehicles worldwide at IAA Commercial Vehicles 2018. This includes the latest technologies in braking, advanced driver assistance, fleet management solutions and aerodynamics.
Visit WABCO in Hall 16 at Booth B10
Deutsche Messe Exhibition Grounds, 30521 Hannover, Germany
Press Day: September 19, 2018
Public Days: September 20 – 27, 2018, 9 AM – 6 PM CET
For more information about WABCO’s participation at IAA Commercial Vehicles 2018, please visit
WABCO Press Conference
WABCO’s press conference will be held on September 19 from 1:45 to 2:10 PM CET in the Convention Center, Rooms 13 and 14.
WABCO’s Live Demonstrations at ‘New Mobility World’
WABCO will demonstrate daily its latest aerodynamics technologies for commercial vehicles, an advanced electronic security system, as well as its newest trailer cargo management solutions. Also on display during the demonstrations, WABCO will highlight its eTrailer prototype showcasing the future of trailer electrification. Visit “New Mobility World Live” in the outdoor exhibition area, north of Hall 26.
WABCO’s Speaker at ‘New Mobility World’ Forum
Forum Event: The New Era of Smart Data and Intelligent Telematics
Topic: Applying Intelligent Vehicle Technologies to Fight Cargo Crime
Speaker: Christiaan Verschueren, Vice President, Trailer Systems, WABCO
Date: September 27
Time: 10:00 to 11:00 AM CET
Location: Pavilion 11, Section D
About WABCO
WABCO (NYSE: WBC) is the leading global supplier of braking control systems and other advanced technologies that improve the safety, efficiency and connectivity of commercial vehicles. Originating from the Westinghouse Air Brake Company founded nearly 150 years ago, WABCO is powerfully “Mobilizing Vehicle Intelligence” to support the increasingly autonomous, connected and electric future of the commercial vehicle industry. WABCO continues to pioneer innovations to address key technology milestones in autonomous mobility and apply its extensive expertise to integrate the complex control and fail-safe systems required to efficiently and safely govern vehicle dynamics at every stage of a vehicle’s journey – on the highway, in the city and at the depot. Today, leading truck, bus and trailer brands worldwide rely on WABCO’s differentiating technologies. Powered by its vision for accident-free driving and greener transportation solutions, WABCO is also at the forefront of advanced fleet management systems and digital services that contribute to commercial fleet efficiency. In 2017, WABCO reported sales of $3.3 billion and has nearly 15,000 employees in 40 countries. For more information, visit www.wabco-auto.com and, for WABCO’s 2017 Annual Report, visit ar.wabco-auto.com.
SOURCE: WABCO
