Schaeffler and Sonatus Partner to Bring Edge AI-Powered Intelligence to Software-Defined Vehicles
Schaeffler, a global leader in motion technology, and Sonatus, a pioneer in intelligence-driven software-defined vehicle (SDV) technologies, have announced a strategic global partnership aimed at accelerating the evolution of next-generation vehicles through the integration of Edge Artificial Intelligence (AI) into advanced motion control systems. The collaboration combines Schaeffler’s expertise in automotive control units and system integration with Sonatus’s AI-powered software platform to create intelligent vehicle architectures capable of continuous learning, adaptation, and performance optimization throughout a vehicle’s lifecycle.
As the automotive industry transitions toward software-defined vehicles, manufacturers are increasingly seeking solutions that go beyond traditional hardware capabilities. Modern vehicles are becoming highly connected, data-driven platforms that require seamless interaction between hardware, software, sensors, and cloud-based services. The partnership between Schaeffler and Sonatus addresses these evolving requirements by embedding advanced AI capabilities directly within vehicle control units, enabling real-time decision-making and intelligent system management at the edge.
Accelerating the Shift Toward Software-Defined Vehicles
Software-defined vehicles represent one of the most significant transformations in automotive history. Unlike traditional vehicles, where functionality is largely determined at the time of manufacturing, SDVs can continuously evolve through software updates, data-driven insights, and AI-powered enhancements.
To support this transformation, Schaeffler and Sonatus have developed a joint solution that integrates Sonatus Collector AI and Sonatus AI Director into Schaeffler’s advanced control units. This integration creates a comprehensive platform capable of supporting centralized and zonal vehicle architectures while enabling automakers to deploy and manage AI-driven applications directly within the vehicle.
The combined solution provides automotive manufacturers with a ready-to-use foundation for developing future vehicle platforms. By reducing integration challenges and simplifying software deployment, the partnership helps OEMs accelerate development timelines and bring innovative vehicle technologies to market more quickly.
According to Schaeffler, the ability to run data-driven and AI-powered functions directly on vehicle control units is becoming increasingly important as vehicle systems grow more sophisticated and interconnected.
“Software-defined vehicles require a robust and scalable hardware foundation,” said Thomas Stierle, CEO E-Mobility at Schaeffler AG. “Our control units run data-driven and AI-based functions within the vehicle, enabling the next generation of vehicle architectures.”
Combining Hardware Excellence with AI Intelligence
The collaboration highlights the growing convergence of hardware engineering and software innovation within the automotive sector.
Schaeffler contributes its extensive expertise in developing cross-domain control units and vehicle systems that span multiple functional areas, including powertrain, energy management, chassis control, and vehicle body systems. These control units serve as critical building blocks for centralized computing architectures and zonal vehicle designs, both of which are becoming increasingly important in modern software-defined vehicles.
Traditional vehicle architectures often rely on dozens of separate electronic control units (ECUs), each responsible for a specific function. While effective, this approach creates complexity, increases wiring requirements, and limits opportunities for system-wide optimization.
Schaeffler’s centralized control unit strategy addresses these challenges by consolidating vehicle functions into fewer, more powerful computing platforms. This architecture enables improved communication between vehicle systems while reducing overall complexity and supporting advanced software capabilities.
Sonatus complements this hardware foundation with its proven software platform, which has already been deployed in more than eight million vehicles worldwide. The company has established itself as a leader in vehicle software infrastructure, enabling automakers to manage data, deploy applications, and continuously improve vehicle functionality through intelligent software systems.
By combining their respective strengths, the two companies are creating a solution that transforms traditional control units into adaptive, AI-enabled systems capable of learning from operational data and improving performance over time.
The Role of Sonatus Collector AI
One of the key components of the partnership is Sonatus Collector AI, an intelligent data collection solution designed to gather vehicle information more efficiently than conventional approaches.
Traditional vehicle data collection methods often rely on extensive data logging, generating enormous volumes of information that can be difficult and expensive to process. In many cases, only a small fraction of the collected data is actually useful for diagnostics, optimization, or development purposes.
Sonatus Collector AI addresses this issue by using artificial intelligence to identify and capture the most relevant data in real time. Rather than continuously recording every available signal, the system selectively collects information based on specific events, conditions, or engineering objectives.
This targeted approach significantly reduces data storage requirements while improving the quality and usefulness of collected information. For automakers, the result is faster issue identification, improved diagnostics, and deeper visibility into vehicle performance across diverse operating conditions.
The ability to gather actionable insights without generating overwhelming amounts of data represents a major advantage as vehicle complexity continues to increase.
Enabling Continuous AI Deployment with Sonatus AI Director
Another critical element of the partnership is Sonatus AI Director, a platform that enables the deployment, management, and lifecycle control of AI models directly within the vehicle.
As artificial intelligence becomes more deeply integrated into automotive systems, manufacturers need reliable mechanisms for updating and managing AI algorithms throughout a vehicle’s operational life. Sonatus AI Director provides this capability by allowing automakers to deploy new AI models, update existing ones, and monitor their performance without requiring hardware modifications.
This capability supports a wide range of applications, including predictive maintenance, energy optimization, advanced motion control, driver assistance functions, and vehicle performance enhancements.
By enabling continuous AI deployment, the platform ensures that vehicles can evolve long after they leave the factory. New features, performance improvements, and system optimizations can be delivered through software updates, extending vehicle capabilities and enhancing customer experiences over time.
“Hardware centralization is the first step; the software-defined vehicle is realized when AI can be running at the edge and when hardware continuously learns and adapts,” said Jeff Chou, CEO and co-founder of Sonatus. “Together with Schaeffler, we are turning static control units into dynamic, intelligence-driven systems.”
Delivering Practical Benefits for Automotive Manufacturers
The partnership is expected to provide substantial benefits for automotive manufacturers seeking to accelerate their software-defined vehicle strategies.
One of the most significant advantages is the ability to run critical vehicle functions directly on intelligent control units while continuously improving those functions through AI-driven learning and software updates.
Functions such as steering, braking, suspension control, and energy management can be optimized in real time based on operational data and evolving performance requirements. Rather than relying solely on fixed software configurations established during development, manufacturers can continuously refine vehicle behavior throughout the product lifecycle.
This capability has the potential to improve vehicle safety, efficiency, comfort, and reliability while reducing development costs and engineering complexity.
The integrated platform also enables faster resolution of field issues by providing targeted data collection and advanced diagnostic capabilities. Engineers can gain deeper insights into vehicle performance, identify emerging issues more quickly, and deploy corrective actions through software updates.
As vehicle systems become increasingly interconnected and software-intensive, these capabilities will play a crucial role in helping automakers manage complexity while maintaining high levels of performance and reliability.
Supporting the Future of Vehicle Architecture
The partnership aligns closely with Schaeffler’s broader strategy of expanding its capabilities in software engineering, systems integration, and intelligent vehicle technologies.
Historically known for its expertise in mechanical and motion technologies, Schaeffler has been steadily increasing its focus on software-defined systems, recognizing that future vehicle innovation will require tight integration between hardware and software.
By embedding AI capabilities directly into its control units and collaborating with leading software providers such as Sonatus, Schaeffler aims to position itself as a key enabler of next-generation vehicle architectures.
“Our central control units are equipped with a pre-integrated software infrastructure that includes solutions such as Sonatus products,” said Rodrigo Peres, Senior Vice President of Schaeffler’s Business Unit Vehicle and Battery Controls. “This significantly simplifies integration for OEMs and helps them accelerate the centralization of their software architecture.”
The pre-integrated approach reduces development effort for automakers while ensuring compatibility between hardware and software components. This streamlined integration process can help manufacturers reduce costs, shorten development cycles, and accelerate innovation.
Schaeffler’s Vision for Intelligent Motion
For more than 80 years, Schaeffler has played a leading role in advancing motion technology across a wide range of industries. The company has built a reputation for innovation in automotive systems, industrial solutions, renewable energy technologies, and advanced mobility applications.
Today, Schaeffler’s portfolio spans electric mobility, energy-efficient drivetrains, chassis systems, renewable energy solutions, bearing technologies, linear motion products, repair services, and predictive monitoring solutions.
With approximately 110,000 employees and more than 250 locations across 55 countries, the company remains one of the world’s largest family-owned industrial enterprises and one of Germany’s most innovative technology organizations.
The partnership with Sonatus reflects Schaeffler’s ongoing commitment to shaping the future of mobility through intelligent, connected, and software-driven solutions. By combining advanced control hardware with edge-based AI capabilities, the company is helping define the next generation of software-defined vehicles—vehicles that can continuously learn, adapt, and improve throughout their operational lives.
As automakers continue their transition toward increasingly digital and intelligent vehicle platforms, collaborations such as this are expected to play a critical role in accelerating innovation and unlocking new possibilities for mobility worldwide.
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