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Schaeffler has detailed its latest progress in software-defined vehicle (SDV) development and electrical/electronic (E/E) architecture ahead of its 13th Automotive Symposium, set to take place in June 2026 in Bühl. The supplier is placing a strong emphasis on centralised system architectures designed to streamline vehicle electronics, reduce the number of control units and accelerate development cycles across successive vehicle generations.
At the core of this strategy is Schaeffler’s Vehicle Control technology cluster, which brings together key components including sensors and actuators, low- and high-voltage electrical systems, drive technologies, edge control units and zonal controllers. The company is developing architectures based on multi-domain controllers, supported by Ethernet-based communication and Remote Control Protocol, with the aim of replacing fragmented, decentralised systems with a more integrated and scalable framework.
Schaeffler says this approach not only lowers system complexity but also enables greater hardware reuse across vehicle platforms, supporting flexible deployment across different vehicle segments. Alongside this, the group is working on complementary technologies such as 48-volt systems, power electronics and safety-critical innovations including steer-by-wire, designed with built-in redundancy for SDV applications.
The upcoming symposium will also showcase developments across three additional technology areas—Chassis & Body, Powertrain and Energy Management—covering a broad spectrum of mobility segments from passenger vehicles to commercial fleets and two-wheelers.
According to Thomas Stierle, Chief Executive of E-Mobility at Schaeffler, centralised and intelligent E/E architectures are essential to unlocking the full potential of software-defined vehicles, enabling more robust, scalable and future-ready automotive systems.
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