ZF is creating the “Next Generation Mobility” – a new.New Festival Partner
ZF is a global leader in driveline and chassis technology as well as active and passive safety technology. By consistently exploiting the opportunities offered by digital transformation, the Group is strategically aligning itself to the mobility of the future. This applies not only to the development of innovative products for the “Next Generation Mobility” but also to its work and corporate culture.
Intelligent mechanical systems, with which ZF lets vehicles “see, think and act” in line with its slogan, combine modern hardware components with integrated sensor systems, powerful computers, and the opportunities of artificial intelligence. With its digitalization strategy, the Group is now taking the next step, which involves the company treading new and unconventional paths.
“We are expanding our initiatives to include many new digital business models and innovative experiments. We consistently strive for disciplined disruption to supplement and transform ZF’s traditional core business,” says Mamatha Chamarthi, Senior Vice President and Chief Digital Officer at ZF.
Digital competence as a new value driver
The company has thus developed a uniform, compatible and open IoT platform that is not only suitable for mobility applications but is also open to all industries, with solutions for plant monitoring, predictive maintenance and networked production. The platform plays an important role in the ongoing digital transformation of the company. It enables new products and services not only for the passenger car segment but also for sectors such as wind energy, agriculture and commercial vehicles. Digital competence is becoming the central value driver. The goal is for all newly developed ZF products to be able to directly or indirectly communicate with their digital environment by 2025.
The best of both worlds
The automotive supplier is pursuing an approach geared towards technology and networks in cooperation with market players whose strengths are more in the area of software and rapid development speed. For some time now, ZF has had a dynamic “ecosystem” – a partner network of established technology companies and start-ups. The company intends to intensify these activities and will therefore be present at events such as the new.New Festival in Stuttgart.
With its expertise and broad portfolio of intelligent mechanical systems for mobile and industrial applications, ZF offers virtually inexhaustible potential for implementing creative ideas. “The race for the best technology of the future will be won by those who break new ground in work, cooperation and development,” says Dr. Malgorzata Wiklinska, head of Ecosystem & Partnerships at ZF.
Open for new ideas and partnerships
With various pitch events, ZF has already offered a platform for start-ups looking for a strong partner to progress their ideas. However, they can also contact the company directly at startup@zf.com.
The members of Generation Y are also encouraged to get involved internally. Several products have already emerged from this new, agile way of working – such as Sound.AI, which teaches cars how to hear so that they can detect invisible sources of danger ahead of time. “The new injection of visions and skills fosters our ground-breaking ecosystem,” says Mamatha Chamarthi. “Talent and our culture of innovation are the fuels that power positive ZF evolution. On this foundation, we’re dynamically creating the next generation of mobility solutions.”
Explore ZF Next Generation Mobility and get in touch with our experts at the ZF booth at the new.New Festival 2018.
Here’s a glimpse into ZF’s workshop sessions:
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