06.08.2018
Schaeffler AG DE000SHA0159
DGAP-News: Schaeffler AG: Schaeffler acquires drive-by-wire technology
DGAP-News: Schaeffler AG / Key word(s): Mergers & Acquisitions/Joint Venture
Schaeffler AG: Schaeffler acquires drive-by-wire technology
06.08.2018 / 09:00
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
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Schaeffler acquires drive-by-wire technology
* Schaeffler Group and Paravan establish Schaeffler Paravan Technologie
GmbH & Co. KG
* Joint Venture to acquire SPACE DRIVE drive-by-wire technology from
Paravan and Mover activities from Schaeffler
* Paravan founder Roland Arnold to become CEO
* Drive-by-wire is key-enabling technology for the fast-growing market
segment autonomous driving
* Schaeffler developing chassis segment into chassis systems integrator
HERZOGENAURACH, August 6, 2018. The Schaeffler Group in cooperation with
Roland Arnold and Paravan GmbH agreed on a master agreement for the
formation of a joint venture company which was signed today. The transaction
is pending regulatory approval by Germany's Federal Cartel Office. The
parties have agreed not to disclose the financial details of the deal. The
object of the joint venture company, which will be called Schaeffler Paravan
Technologie GmbH und Co. KG, is the further development of Paravan's SPACE
DRIVE drive-by-wire technology and the development and sale of mobility
systems. As part of the transaction, the joint venture will acquire
Paravan's SPACE DRIVE technology. Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG will
have a 90 percent stake in the new company. A leading drive-by-wire
technology, SPACE DRIVE was developed by Paravan GmbH to help drivers with
physical disabilities by replacing cumbersome mechanical vehicle control
systems with 100%-reliable, fully electronic systems.
Alongside electronic accelerator and brake activation, SPACE DRIVE features
steer-by-wire functionality, which enables safe and reliable vehicle
steering by purely electronic means, thereby eliminating the need for a
steering wheel, steering column and associated mechanical linkages.
Steer-by-wire is a key enabling technology for self-driving cars, for which
safe and highly reliable steering is a fundamental requirement. Even in
part-time autonomous passenger cars with steering wheels, the space saved by
eliminating the steering column opens up completely new possibilities for
vehicle and cab interior design. SPACE DRIVE features triple redundancy and
is currently the only integrated drive-by-wire solution in the world to be
manufactured in accordance with the highest quality and safety standards
including certification according to the extremely exacting ISO 26262 ASIL D
functional safety standard. Consequently, is the only system of its kind to
be licensed for on-road use in multiple countries worldwide, while at the
same time having the potential for technical and commercial viability in
large-series automobile production. SPACE DRIVE also has an unblemished
record of over 500 million kilometers of accident-free driving.
The new joint venture company will have its operational headquarters in
Aichelau and Herzogenaurach and will be headed by a team comprising Paravan
founder Roland Arnold as CEO, and Dr. Dirk Kesselgruber, head of the
business division Chassis Systems at Schaeffler, and one other,
yet-to-be-decided, employee of the Schaeffler Group.
"We are both delighted and immensely proud to have on board such a competent
and successful partner as Mr. Arnold for this pioneering collaboration,"
commented Schaeffler AG Deputy CEO and Chief Technology Officer Prof. Dr.
Peter Gutzmer. "Today's agreement is a major milestone for Schaeffler. The
acquisition of this tried and proven drive-by-wire technology gives us
access to a key technology that will enable us to develop our Chassis
Systems business division into a chassis systems integrator. The rolling
chassis business is a decisive opportunity for Schaeffler to leverage its
core competencies to gain a technological foothold in the fast-growing
autonomous car market helping to further diversify our powertrain and
chassis businesses. Today's deal is therefore another major step towards
achieving our 'Mobility for tomorrow' strategy."
The SPACE DRIVE technology and the associated core competencies in
functional safety through high-reliability electronics complement
Schaeffler's core competencies in mechatronics and will accelerate the
development of future by-wire steering systems by strengthening expertise in
key areas, particularly systems engineering, electronics and functional
software.
Under the deal, the Schaeffler Group will contribute its Schaeffer Mover
technology to the joint venture, where it will play a pivotal role.
Schaeffler Mover is a concept for a small and highly versatile rolling
chassis that is fully electric and can be combined with various body
versions to support a range of different urban mobility and transport
applications. Schaeffler unveiled the Mover concept to the public for the
first time at its 2018 Annual General Meeting.
Dr. Dirk Kesselgruber said: "The Schaeffler Mover concept demonstrates our
commitment to being an innovative partner for mechatronic chassis systems
and to further growing this capability and thereby positioning ourselves in
the medium term as a leading provider of rolling chassis systems. The
Schaeffler Mover is primarily a platform for developing and industrializing
future products for auto manufacturers. We see SPACE DRIVE as a functionally
safe and reliable foundation for these products, and we will therefore
actively pursue its systematic and customer-centric further development and
refinement under the joint venture. Indeed, in the future we may even
develop entire vehicle platforms for logistics and service companies."
"Schaeffler is the perfect partner for further developing, scaling and
industrializing our unique SPACE DRIVE technology," said Roland Arnold. "The
company has technical expertise in a wide range of areas, particularly in
the highly promising areas of mechatronics and mechanical actuator systems.
Just as important, in my view, is the fact that our two companies are a good
cultural fit. As family-owned businesses, we have a similar outlook. This is
a win for both companies. Like Schaeffler, Paravan GmbH and its customers
will benefit from the partnership we have forged here today."
About Schaeffler
The Schaeffler Group is a global automotive and industrial supplier. Top
quality, outstanding technology, and exceptionally innovative spirit form
the basis for the continued success of the company. By delivering
high-precision components and systems in engine, transmission, and chassis
applications, as well as rolling and plain bearing solutions for a large
number of industrial applications, the Schaeffler Group is already shaping
"Mobility for tomorrow" to a significant degree. The technology company
generated sales of approximately EUR 14 billion in 2017. With more than
90,000 employees, Schaeffler is one of the world's largest family companies
and, with approximately 170 locations in over 50 countries, has a worldwide
network of manufacturing locations, research and development facilities, and
sales companies.
About Paravan GmbH
Paravan GmbH is a global market leader for highly customized vehicle
solutions which are adapted to the needs of people with disabilities. A
workforce of around 180 develops and produces individually tailored
automotive conversions, power-wheelchairs, movement trainers and much more.
A technological highlight is Space Drive, an intelligent digital steering
system in line with the drive-by-wire principle. It is completely fail-safe,
thanks to active redundancy of the servo motors and the first that has
approval for use on the road anywhere in the world. This innovation enables
severely persons with disabilities, sometimes without arms and legs, to
drive cars independently and safely. Over the last 15 years, Space Drive has
proved itself worldwide in over 500 million kilometers of road driving. The
system is certified according to ISO 26262 ASIL D and is manufactured in
accordance with the highest international quality-standard, IPC-A-600 class
3. Numerous vehicle manufacturers, automotive suppliers and research
facilities use Space Drive for vehicles and projects involving autonomous
driving.
Contact:
Thorsten Möllmann, Senior Vice Dr. Axel Lüdeke, Head of Business
President Global Communications & and Financial Communications &
Branding, Schaeffler AG, PR, Schaeffler AG,
Herzogenaurach, Germany Phone +49 Herzogenaurach, Germany Phone +49
9132 82-5000, email: 9132 82-5000, email:
[email protected] [email protected]
Renata Casaro, Head of Investor Niels Fehre, Investor Relations,
Relations, Schaeffler AG, Schaeffler AG, Herzogenaurach,
Herzogenaurach, Germany Phone +49 Germany Phone +49 9132 82-4440,
9132 82-4440, email: email: [email protected]
[email protected]
Alexander Nerz, Marketing, PARAVAN Anke Leuschke, Press, PARAVAN
GmbH, Pfronstetten-Aichelau, GmbH, Pfronstetten-Aichelau,
Germany Phone +49 7388 999 5929, Germany Phone +49 172 7916987,
email: [email protected] email: [email protected]
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06.08.2018 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a
service of EQS Group AG.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
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Language: English
Company: Schaeffler AG
Industriestr. 1-3
91074 Herzogenaurach
Germany
Phone: 09132 - 82 0
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet: www.schaeffler.com
ISIN: DE000SHA0159
WKN: SHA015
Indices: MDAX
Listed: Regulated Market in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Regulated
Unofficial Market in Berlin, Dusseldorf, Munich,
Stuttgart, Tradegate Exchange; Luxembourg Stock Exchange
End of News DGAP News Service
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