Vitesco Technologies (part of Continental) boasted that the Volkswagen ID.3 and upcoming other MEB-based electric cars will be equipped with its drive control unit.
Vitesco has become the sole supplier of the new server-based drive control unit, which is the central component of the car, that assumes a number of key functions:
- it activates the electric motor
- coordinates all commands initiated by the accelerator pedal
- plays an integral part in charging and energy management as well as the management of the high-voltage electrical system
- It also acts as an interface to the other control units inside the vehicle.
- allows connectivity with the outside world to enable software updates, and functional enhancements at any time in the field (although it required to put great attention on cyber security during the development of the new component)
We can assume that it's the most advanced drive control unit from Vitesco Technologies, and the company had to step-up its game in several areas, including electronics, software and integration.
"The product not only contains software components developed by Vitesco Technologies, but also serves as the integration platform for software parts provided by Volkswagen, to seamlessly ensure the overall device function. Through closely interlinked and trustful collaboration between their respective engineering teams, both companies were able to bring the control unit to production within approximately two years."
More about ID.3
The first ID.3 will enter the market within weeks - in September. Possibly it will be a time of volume deliveries of thousands of cars, as many were already produced, just waiting for the software update.