CES 2024: Bosch showcases sustainable energy technology for consumer needs

The CES® Innovation Award marked Bosch's presence at CES 2024 for its Automated Valet Parking System. This technology features an automatic valet parking system allowing electric vehicles to drive to a charging station.

Rückert explained that drivers can control their vehicle through a smartphone and direct it to a battery-charging robot, which will charge the car. The vehicle then maneuvers to a parking space, providing a charging station for the following vehicle.

"This unique combination establishes Bosch as a leader in the market with its automated valet charging and parking solutions. The company is committed to continually providing better comfort in electromobility, enhancing its appeal and acceptance," she said.

As a critical component for electric mobility, the high demand for innovative silicon carbide (SiC) semiconductors has led Bosch to focus on being a leading provider across the entire electromobility value chain, from chips and electric vehicle drivetrains (e-axles) to electric motors, battery technology, charging stations, and various other services. Using SiC chips in electric vehicles can extend the driving range and make charging more efficient, with reduced energy consumption by up to 50 percent. Vehicles can travel an average of 6 percent further on a single battery charge with SiC chips compared to silicon-based chips.

Since 2021, Bosch has been manufacturing SiC chips at its plant in Reutlingen, Germany, as part of its efforts to strengthen its international semiconductor manufacturing network. Bosch aims to produce its first SiC chips in the U.S. by 2026 and to increase its output tenfold in the coming years.

Additionally, Bosch showcased a new feature at the event: a scheduling function for home appliances such as ovens, dryers, and washing machines. For the first time, Bosch has equipped its latest generation of dishwashers with the "MySchedule" feature, which automatically schedules washing cycles to start during periods of the lowest electricity costs or environmental impact.

Furthermore, for professional power tool users, Bosch announced new strategic partners for its AMPShare battery platform. Bosch AMPShare is a cross-brand battery system that allows businesses and industry professionals to switch between different professional tools without changing batteries. Currently, more than 30 global partners have joined the system.

In addition to electrification, Bosch sees hydrogen as key to meeting global energy demands with a more efficient approach. Hydrogen can efficiently use energy generated from renewable sources as a storage medium. Therefore, Bosch has invested extensively across the hydrogen technology value chain, focusing on mobile fuel cells, which have recently begun mass production in Stuttgart.

The primary application of hydrogen technology is in powertrain systems for heavy vehicles, with Bosch receiving its first orders from truck manufacturers in Europe, the U.S., and China. These companies are also working on components for hydrogen engines, which convert fuel directly into energy without first converting it into electricity.

"In practice, when supported by green (environmentally friendly) hydrogen, the engines achieve a more carbon-neutral operation. These engines are expected to be operational this year, aligning with various countries and industry players worldwide who have also invested in hydrogen technology," explained Rückert.

All Bosch divisions are currently focused on software and digitalization. The company now has over 44,000 employees working in software development, seeing it as pivotal for mobility solutions. Two new mobility services showcased at the electronics trade show demonstrate this: Usage Certificate To Go and Vehicle Health Service. The first is an addition to Bosch's existing Battery in the Cloud service, analyzing battery data, determining battery condition, and helping extend battery life through optimization by up to 20 percent. The second service targets vehicle operators with features designed primarily to prevent damage. These innovations aim to extend vehicle lifespan and save energy.

Meanwhile, in manufacturing, Bosch's services can help reduce CO2 and improve efficiency on a large scale. In industrial decarbonization, AI-based software services developed by Bosch in collaboration with partners have helped manufacturing companies reduce their carbon footprint and achieve significant cost savings.