Autonomous Driving

Autonomous driving as core competences at Fraunhofer IZM.

The institute has worked with OEMs, tier 1s and, in particular, their suppliers to “electronify” the automobile at all levels. We develop innovative, cost-efficient and reliable solutions, including to prototype level, for conventional, hybrid and electric drive engineering and safety and comfort systems.

Autonomous driving counts as a core competence at Fraunhofer IZM. This includes sensor and actuator technology, Power electronics, Reliability management and assurance as well as Robust design. There are numerous projects related to automotive driving. A group is working on Electromagnetic Compatibility for Electric Vehicles. The institute is also working on the development of Cost-effective packaging for radar sensors. For better visibility when driving at night you need an adaptive front lighting system. And the secret for Miniature Converters with High Power Density lies in Low-Inductance Packages for Fast-Switching Semiconductors.

The institute also works on a new electronic module safeguards self-driving vehicles against the total failure of onboard electrical systems. Autonomous electric vehicles draw power from two sources: a high-voltage battery is the first one. The second source is a conventional 12-volt battery. It supplies the vehicle when idling or in high load situations while driving. Safety-critical systems such as brakes and steering can therefore be connected to two sources of power. But what happens when one of these has a fault? Researchers from the Fraunhofer Institute for Reliability and Microintegration have joined with partners on the HiBord project. The aim of this project is to develop an electronic disconnect device. This device will be able to isolate any such faults in vehicle electrical systems.

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