Status: 13.10.2023, 17:27 PM
By: Andreas Höger
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The bosses are satisfied: Jens Hofmann (left) from ITK Engineering and Thomas Hartmann (Bosch Engineering) presented four selected projects of their teams one year after the start of the Bosch Campus. © Thomas Plettenberg
The mobility of the future is also being invented in Holzkirchen. The technology giant Bosch has built a modern campus for its tinkering subsidiaries, Bosch Engineering and ITK-Engineering, in the Föching industrial park. One year after opening, the two companies have now provided insights into what their 500 employees have recently developed. Four examples, from e-bikes to hydrogen sprinters.
Holzkirchen – Mobility is a market of the future. Good ideas are in demand – and that's exactly why Bosch has built a development campus in the Föching industrial park at a cost of more than 100 million euros: laboratories, workshops, test benches, and creative rooms for the two subsidiaries Bosch Engineering (BE) and ITK Engineering, which are working under one roof on innovative systems for transportation, construction and agricultural vehicles, as well as rail and medical technology. For both, Holzkirchen is the second largest location in Germany after their headquarters in Abstatt and Rülzheim (ITK).
"We complement each other," emphasized site managers Jens Hofmann (ITK) and Thomas Hartmann (BE) at a press conference. While BE is based on Bosch platforms regardless of the manufacturer, ITK has specialized in cooperation with other companies. "At the end of the day, we hand over all of our results to the customers," explains Hofmann. At the press conference, both used examples to show what the teams are currently working on.
Hydrogen Sprinter
In the summer, Bosch started series production of fuel cell powertrains for heavy-duty commercial vehicles. "But the technology is also promising for light commercial vehicles," says Hartmann. On campus, two Sprinters were converted into demonstrator vehicles. "They provide data for further development," says the BE site manager. Transporting a lot, refuelling quickly, long range – this is the strength of small vans powered by hydrogen. The prototypes were already presented at the IAA Transportation last year.
Environmental Sensors
In agriculture, on construction sites and at logistics companies, assistance systems that keep an eye on the surroundings from the vehicle can not only prevent accidents, but also make work easier. They help to avoid forklift accidents and to stay on track when working in the field. "A precursor to automation," says Hartmann. To this end, Bosch is further developing tried-and-tested automotive components, using ultrasonic and radar technology.
"Fingerprint" of the rail
Until now, the localization of trains has been complex, expensive and maintenance-intensive. ITK's "Maros" system, attached to trains, recognizes the individual, magnetic "fingerprint" of each meter of rail. "In this way, the sensors can detect damage to rails at an early stage," says Hofmann. The data also allows for a 35 percent improvement in the utilization of the tracks. "We want to launch the system on the market in 2026," reveals the ICT site manager.
E-cargo bike "Mocci"
As a strategic development partner, ITK supplies software for the "Mocci" e-cargo bike, which is chainless and beltless, for the company CIP-Mobility. The model is intended to optimize inner-city transport on the "last mile" in particular. "We are turning the 'Mocci' into a mobile sensor package that continuously collects and delivers data," explains Hofmann. The bike will be available for commercial customers in 2024.
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Partners on campus
The campus concept also includes renting out offices to external companies. "We are looking forward to exchanging ideas," says Hofmann. There are already the first interested parties and a lot of space. "We offer high-quality office space and are also open to colourful birds," Hartmann emphasizes with a smile, "because that's what we are ourselves."
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