·Hella produces the 20 millionth power steering electronic control unit

As countries increasingly tighten carbon dioxide emissions, the automotive industry is increasingly demanding energy-efficient products. In addition, advances in driverless technology have placed higher demands on the reliability and accuracy of steering systems. Since 2010, Hella, a global leader in lighting and electronics, is committed to producing electronic control units (ECUs) for electric power steering systems (EPS) that support and drive the development of steering technology. By installing an electronic control unit in the motor, these products can support steering assistance as needed, saving vehicle energy. Recently, Hella's factory in Germany announced the launch of the 20 millionth electronic control unit.

The electronic control system not only enhances vehicle handling, improves fuel efficiency, but also lays the foundation for unmanned functions such as lane keeping assist or automatic parking. Frédéric Laure, vice president of project management for Hella Steering Systems, said: "In order to enhance the road safety of driverless cars, some or all of the self-driving vehicles are increasingly demanding active safety systems." Therefore, Hella is constantly working on electronics. The development of the control unit and the launch of the faulty version. This means that if the electronic device fails, the system will not shut down and the EPS will continue to work. Thanks to the fault-running function, HELLA has laid a solid foundation for the application of electronic control units in highly automated driving. According to the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) definition, highly automated driving means that the vehicle can automatically travel without the need to interact with the driver under certain conditions.

In the coming years, Hella will further expand the global production capacity of electronic control units. In addition to current production capacity in Germany and China, the company plans to establish production bases in Romania, Mexico, Brazil and India by 2019. Frédéric Laure said: “This will bring us closer to our customers and meet their needs faster.” For example, the company can personalize the electronic control unit according to customer requirements. Hella's steering solution also gives car manufacturers a more flexible and replicable business model. In addition to production services according to the map, Hella also provides further development services for customers. Customers can choose an all-in-one solution, and Hella is responsible for device integration, hardware and basic software design.

As one of the three leading suppliers of European EPS systems and electronic control units, HELLA has been providing services to automotive manufacturers around the world with years of expertise. At present, the Hella EPS control unit has been applied to all types of mid-size cars, luxury cars and sports car models.