Schaeffler Mover can support a range of different urban mobility and transport applications. Credit: © Schaeffler AG.

German auto-parts maker Schaeffler Group has partnered with Paravan to set up a joint venture (JV) company Schaeffler Paravan Technologie to focus on autonomous vehicles (AV).

Subsequently, the new JV will acquire drive-by-wire technology Space Drive from Paravan and mover activities from Schaeffler.

Developed by Paravan, Space Drive helps drivers with physical disabilities to replace difficult to use mechanical control systems in cars with 100% reliable, fully electronic systems. It features steer-by-wire functionality, a key enabling technology for self-driving vehicles.

Schaeffler Mover is a concept for a small and highly versatile rolling chassis. It is fully electric and can be combined with numerous body versions to support a range of different urban mobility and transport applications.

“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.”

Space Drive includes electronic accelerator and brake activation, as well as steer-by-wire functionality that allows safe vehicle steering by purely electronic means and thus eliminates the need for a steering wheel, steering column and associated mechanical linkages.

Paravan founder Roland Arnold will be named as the CEO of the new JV, which will focus on development and sale of mobility systems.

Schaeffler Paravan Technologie will operate from its headquarters in Aichelau and Herzogenaurach in Germany.

Schaeffler deputy CEO and chief technology officer Dr Peter Gutzmer said: “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.”

Leveraging Space Drive technology and the associated core competencies in functional safety, the JV will speed up development of future by-wire steering systems by boosting expertise in key areas, particularly systems engineering, electronics and functional software.