Forvia has developed a hydrogen storage system with flat tanks that permits more storage capacity. (Photos provided by Forvia)
Faurecia’s acquisition last year of Hella teamed two storied brands that date back to 1914 and 1899, respectively, to create the world’s seventh-largest automotive supplier: Forvia. But the deal is more than the sum of its parts; the combined operations has also yielded an integrated vision for the industry’s future.
Forvia’s integrated product portfolio includes products that address megatrends in electrification, energy management, automated driving and personalized interior cockpits. The company showcased more than a dozen new offerings in sustainable materials, energy management and weight savings, as well as upgradability, recyclability and design earlier this year at the CES consumer electronics show, where Forvia won the CES 2023 Innovation Award with an-industry first solid-state lighting high-definition (SSL | HD) headlamp.
More recently, Forvia announced plans to become carbon neutral across its operations by 2025 (scopes 1 & 2) and to achieve a 45% reduction in scope 3 emissions by 2030. And the company aims to reach CO₂ Net Zero for all its operations and products no later than 2045.
Forvia’s zero-emission, multiple-powertrain platform offers a unique strategy to electrification and energy management. The flexible system can accommodate fuel-cell, battery-electric and hybrid powertrains without compromising quality or performance.
Forvia is ready to supply next-generation solutions to help automakers handle various zero-emission and fuel-cell integration challenges as a pioneer in the development of hydrogen storage systems. This includes a new prismatic composite storage construction that offers 40% more storage capacity for increased autonomy than cylindrical tanks.
Meanwhile, the company’s EV energy and thermal management solutions feature a high-density onboard charger, a high-voltage DC/DC converter and lightweight, scalable battery management systems. The technologies are intended to increase efficiency and reduce size, complexity and cost.
Forvia also has developed a new eFuse technology to protect EV electrical systems and ensure fail-safe operation for automated driving. The system constantly monitors components, while a zonal module for E/E architecture ensures intelligent power and data distribution to enhance safety.
Also new this year is Forvia’s High Dynamic Range (HDR) system that expands on the company’s market-first perceptual display platform technology. HDR enables automatic image enhancement, energy saving and lifetime upgrading on any type of display hardware.
An array of sensors, perceptive software, data fusion and fail-operational electronics for steering and braking are available to enable safe, autonomous driving, according to Forvia. Highlights include interior child presence detection, and driver distraction and drowsiness monitoring.
At CES, the company debuted its reactive-dimming technology, which combines smart dimming and gaze monitoring on an electronic mirror that promises to lessen cognitive load, driver distraction and weariness.
Forvia says its dynamic lighting innovations, including the digital headlamp SSL | HD, can reduce energy consumption by as much as 80% compared to conventional taillights.
Forvia’s adaptable, “digitally sustainable,” versatile cockpit features repositionable seats and an integrated bookshelf, reading lamp and tailored sound headrests, which provides a personalized mobility experience between front- and rear-seat passengers that creates an “at-home” environment, according to the company.
Through the use of energy-efficient technology, lightweight structures and sustainable materials, the cabin’s focal point reduces CO₂ emissions by 45%. The design also includes the first-ever integration of brake-by-wire, gaze-based intuitive human-machine interfaces on multiple driving displays and external illumination solutions.
At CES, Forvia also premiered a modular seat architecture that enables a streamlined, adaptable and upgradable EV battery area and improves passenger comfort.
And Forvia’s Aptoide App Store, game and news center—with the ability for wireless over-the-air updates—showcase digital continuity from house to automobile.
Forvia’s new materi’act brand, which is focused on creating and manufacturing at-scale sustainable materials, includes innovative and environmentally friendly interiors. By 2030, these materials will reduce CO₂ emissions by 85% and, when paired with interior technologies such as lens displays and active surface integration, will increase the range of electric vehicles by 30%, the company says.
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