Innovation is the secret weapon of Bosch's rapid development in China

Innovation is the booster for sustainable development of the company

The Bosch Group, headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, is the world's leading supplier of automotive technology, industrial technology, consumer products and building intelligence technology. With the ingenious innovative thinking of the founder Robert Bosch and countless Bosch ancestors as well as the ability to convert innovative ideas into mass-produced products, Bosch has grown from a small “precision machinery and electrical engineering workshop” to a Internationalized large group. Since 1902, the birth of high-voltage electromagnetic generators was first used in the automotive field. In 1928, Bosch introduced the world's first hand-held power tool with an electric motor. In 1933, Bosch introduced an economical refrigerator to make this household appliance the first time to enter. Ordinary family; Bosch mass-produced ABS anti-lock braking system in 1978 ... For more than 120 years, Bosch has created countless scientific and technological achievements, from familiar Bosch lifestyle products to cutting-edge technology. Innovation not only laid the foundation for Bosch's success, but also deeply rooted in Bosch's culture.

A few days ago, Bosch Group Chairman Franz Phillips Bach said at a press conference in Beijing that Bosch’s sales in China are expected to reach approximately 2.3 billion euros (about 25 billion renminbi) in 2008, compared with the previous year. 30% strong growth.

This is the fourth consecutive year that Bosch has achieved such a good performance in China. When the financial tsunami in Europe and the United States swept the world, it was difficult for Bosch to have such a strong performance. This not only shows once again that the Chinese economy is a sustainable development of the world economy. "Big horsepower engine" also reflects that innovation is a powerful booster for the sustained and stable development of the company.

Fehrenbach said that “China will continue to be the main driving force for our growth in the Asian market. In line with China’s sustainable development goals, Bosch Group's innovations focusing on resource conservation and energy efficiency have broad space for development.”

As early as 1909, the Bosch Group had opened its first trade office in China. Today, all business units of the Group have settled in China: automotive technology, industrial technology, consumer goods and building intelligent technology.

With the advent of Bosch's centennial celebration of development in China, Bosch has laid a solid foundation for further development in China. By the beginning of 2009, Bosch's number of employees in China will be second only to Germany, reaching approximately 23,000. As of 2007, the Group has invested approximately 1 billion euros in China and plans to increase its investment by 850 million euros between 2008 and 2010.

In 2007, the Bosch Group's R&D personnel applied for a total of 3,281 patents for the first time. On average, the first application for new technologies submitted to the Patent Office on each working day totaled 14 items.

Since Bosch did not automatically register every innovation as a patent, the total number of new inventions registered within the Bosch Group in 2007 actually increased by 8 percentage points to a total of 6,560 items. Only those innovations that Bosch deems significant will submit patent applications. Currently, the Bosch Group holds a total of approximately 77,000 patents, patent registrations, and utility model patents.

Bosch Power Tools introduces about 100 new products to the market every year. Over the past five years, Bosch Power Tools has reduced the time it takes to start a new product development project to production by half, only 12 months. In 2007, nearly 40% of Bosch's power tool sales came from products that were listed less than two years ago.

Such impressive innovations, of course, depend on the wisdom and wisdom of the Bosch people and their excellent institutional arrangements and design. They also depend on Bosch's enormous investment in innovation.

It is reported that the Bosch Group spends an average of 7% of its annual sales on research and development. In 2007, Bosch Group's investment in research and development increased by 9 percentage points, a total of 3.6 billion euros. It is rare that such a large proportion of investment is in a company that is still mainly manufacturing.

Nearly 40% of the innovations of the Bosch Group are devoted to the development of energy-saving and environmentally friendly products. For example, diesel and gasoline direct injection technology, alternative fuel injection technology, Bosch Rexroth automation technology, and solar thermal technology.

Bosch has more than 29,000 employees worldwide engaged in research and development. Among them, about 1,350 R&D personnel promote Bosch's R&D activities in various business sectors in China. Bosch currently has 4 automotive R&D centers and 1 winter testing ground in China. Since 1995, United Automotive Electronics Co., Ltd. established Bosch's first R&D center in Shanghai, Bosch has established Bosch Technology Center (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. in 2005, and Bosch Automotive Diesel Systems (Wuxi) Co., Ltd. Diesel Technology Center. In 2006, United Automotive Electronics added an R&D center in Chongqing, a city in southwestern China. In the same year, Bosch Technology Center (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. built a new vehicle test road in the center. In addition to the four automotive technology centers currently in operation, in 2007, Bosch broke ground in the winter test center which invested 150 million yuan in Yakeshi, Inner Mongolia. The center is the Bosch Group's winter testing facilities with the largest footprint, the largest total investment, and the highest technical standards in the world. When completed in 2008, it will play an important role in improving the road and driving safety of the Chinese auto industry.

"Green Innovation": Bosch Gannon is the hero behind the energy-saving emission reduction

In response to realistic challenges such as rising oil prices, upgrading of environmental standards, and increasingly congested urban roads, in 2008, Bosch introduced its innovative energy-saving and environmental protection technology, the start/stop system, in China and made its debut at the Beijing International Motor Show in April this year. .

Bosch's innovative technology is simple and effective. When the vehicle stops, the shift lever is in neutral, the clutch pedal is released, and the engine automatically shuts off; when the vehicle is started again, the clutch pedal is depressed, and the engine will automatically and quickly resume operation. Through this technology, vehicles in the stationary process, such as traffic jams or red lights, have no fuel consumption and no carbon dioxide emissions. At the same time, the noise of vehicles can also be reduced to zero decibels.

According to the results of the new European cycle driving test under the condition of ECE15, the start/stop system can help reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by about 8%. In this test, the vehicle must travel 7km, including 12 15 seconds of parking. In the actual urban traffic environment, the parking frequency is higher and the time is longer, so the actual fuel consumption and CO2 emission reduction effect is higher.

In 2007, Bosch has started manufacturing such systems. In mid-2008, more than 500,000 vehicles were already equipped with such systems. It is estimated that by 2012, half of the new European vehicles will be equipped with a start/stop system. In China, Bosch is also actively working with car manufacturers to brewing development projects.

Another module of Bosch's "Green Innovation" is its diesel technology. Diesel technology has always been closely linked with Bosch. Bosch has a long history in the development and production of diesel engine fuel injection systems. As early as 1927, Bosch began to explore. In fact, until Bosch invented the diesel fuel injection pump, the diesel engine became lighter and could be used in vehicles. Diesel engines were first used on trucks.

Since then, Bosch's continuous innovation has enabled the successful promotion of diesel engines in the market, thus contributing greatly to improving vehicle efficiency and reducing emissions. In 1986, with the introduction of electronic control technology for diesel injection systems, diesel technology opened a whole new chapter, which brought about changes in the market. The introduction of electronic control technology enables precise control of the combustion process, which results in lower emissions, improved efficiency, and more precise management of the engine.

Today, China's "National III" and "National IV" emission regulations, as well as corresponding European standards, are now almost household names. However, few people realize that there is a social responsibility and contribution from Bosch.

[next] In the past decade alone, with the introduction of technologies that meet Euro IV and higher emission standards, pollutant emissions from diesel engines have once again been reduced by 85%. Bosch innovation has achieved higher pressure injection and more precise control of injection time and fuel injection. Bosch common rail system was successfully applied to passenger cars and commercial vehicles in 1997 and 1999 respectively.

In 2002, when Bosch celebrated the 75th anniversary of diesel injection technology, its common rail system was firmly rooted in the market. As a testament to the widespread acceptance of common rail systems for diesel engines, the common rail system of the Bosch passenger car has been more than expected in Europe. In Western Europe, half of the newly registered vehicles are equipped with cleanliness equipped with a modern electronically controlled common rail system. Diesel engines.

Today, global warming and CO2 emissions have become popular topics. The use of clean diesel engines is crucial for the realization of ACEA and the European Commission’s carbon reduction targets. Without these technologies, these goals cannot be achieved. Clean diesel engines can reduce carbon emissions by 25% compared to similar gasoline engines.

Protecting the environment and saving resources are the unshirkable responsibility of the company. Today, Bosch is at the forefront of bringing common rail technology to China. In order to continuously improve the technology and widely market, Bosch has worked closely with its partner Weifu Hi-Tech (5.39, -0.03, -0.55%, Bar) Co., Ltd. to develop a CB18 high-pressure pump customized to the Chinese market requirements. Other similar parts and components are in the research and development stage and will soon be put into production.

These efforts are all aimed at making it easier for the Chinese automotive industry to make changes in the electronic control technology era. These newly developed products are also applicable to more types of vehicles. In order to further reduce emissions, Bosch will continue to introduce innovative technologies such as more complex injection systems and exhaust gas treatment devices.

Hybrid and electric vehicle systems are also a highlight of Bosch's “Green Innovation”. The Bosch Group develops and manufactures lithium-ion batteries through joint ventures to expand its business areas. Lithium batteries are a key technology in automotive drive motor applications. For more than 30 years, Bosch has been committed to the development and application of automotive electric drive technology. It is estimated that by 2015, Bosch hybrid cars and electric vehicles will account for more than 3% of the global market share.

In the future, the focus of Bosch's work will be mainly on the concept of parallel hybrid power, and its modular components can be customized to meet the requirements of various vehicle manufacturers and their different types of vehicles. Bosch has already obtained the first order for gasoline and diesel hybrids respectively. In addition to the concept of mild mixing and strong hybrids, Bosch also offers simpler hybrid methods such as start/stop technology and the recovery of brake energy losses through generators. These methods can also significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

Combined with the drive motor, the gasoline hybrid engine has a 25% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions compared to conventional gasoline engines, while the diesel hybrid engine reduces carbon dioxide emissions by 20% compared to conventional diesel engines. In the next 20 years, the internal combustion engine will be the main form of automotive drive.

Another highlight is Bosch Rexroth. Recently, Bosch has started the first wind turbine large-scale gear device production base outside of Germany in Beijing. Through this project with an investment of up to 100 million euros, Bosch will better support the development of renewable energy including wind power in China.

In fact, the share of GDP invested by China in the development of renewable resources is second only to Germany. As the industry's leading supplier, Bosch Rexroth has localized nearly 50% of its production in China, and recently installed hydraulic components for 100 wind turbines in Shandong and Inner Mongolia.

The Bosch Group spends more than 40% of its R&D expenditure on the development of clean and energy-saving products every year. At the same time, Bosch is also actively involved in the development of geothermal and solar energy technologies, as well as the production of solar cells.

Bosch signed a 50.45% stake in ersol Solar Energy AG with Ventizz. It is understood that solar cells made of plastics convert sunlight into electricity, which is more economical than silicon solar cells. Bosch and BASF jointly established Heliatek GmbH in Dresden, Germany, becoming one of the leaders in this field. Bosch plans to bring organic photovoltaic cells to market within ten years.

In order to achieve this goal, Bosch is actively developing solar cell structures and researching ways to economically produce this new type of battery in large quantities. It is hoped that these efforts will realize the ideal of home energy self-sufficiency. For example, Bosch's organic photocells can be used in the form of plastic films on roofs, windows, and walls to convert large amounts of solar energy into electricity. As a result, home is transformed from a consumer of electricity to a producer.

"Guardian Angel" technology has increased to a higher level

As long as there is driving, there is a risk. It is unrealistic to completely eliminate the risk, but reducing the risk and raising the safety index is entirely achievable. According to Bosch's active safety survey, almost 75% of drivers in China have experienced emergency braking, and about half of the drivers have experienced vehicle skidding. In Europe, vehicle drivers have similar experiences. More than 70% of the respondents experienced an emergency brake, while 30% of the respondents had a slippery experience.

Therefore, for the global automotive industry, the urgent issues to be solved are: how to improve the safety performance of vehicles, reduce the casualties caused by road traffic, and improve road safety. This is the common mission and social responsibility of all automotive manufacturers and their associated manufacturing companies. As a leader in automotive safety technology, Bosch should shoulder its social responsibility.

Over the years, Bosch has been committed to the improvement of automotive safety technology. In order to enhance the driving safety of Chinese vehicles, Bosch introduced to China its innovative active safety technologies - Antilock Braking System (ABS), Traction Control System (TCS) and Electronic Stability Program (ESP), through Suzhou. Localized production and service to Chinese automobile manufacturers.

Many international independent research shows that active safety technology can effectively reduce the occurrence of accidents.

In 1978, Bosch put ABS on the market for the first time and mass production. The ABS anti-lock braking system can prevent the wheels from locking when the emergency braking is needed in critical driving situations, and allows the driver to avoid obstacles and perform safer braking, shortening the braking distance as a whole, thereby ensuring driving. Security.

In 1986, on the basis of ABS, Bosch introduced the traction control system TCS. By adding an engine management system to the ABS interface, the TCS can prevent wheel slippage by reducing the drive torque of a single drive wheel.

In 2001, the ABS8, a new generation of anti-lock braking system, was introduced for the first time. It is a modular design that allows a wide variety of brake control systems (ABS, TCS, ESP) to be produced in very similar ways. This can optimize the coordinated development and production. At present, all systems produced by Bosch are manufactured on the basis of a unified quality standard based on international development and production networks. This means that most of Bosch's ABS systems are produced from the ABS assembly line that is located in the car manufacturer's location. At present, 76% of new light vehicles in the world are equipped with ABS. Of the new light vehicles produced in China, more than 60% are equipped with ABS.

The Electronic Stability Program (ESP) is an effective tool to reduce the death rate of road traffic accidents. Its widespread use will help China achieve the goal of reducing the number of road traffic accident deaths by 20,000 in 2005 compared with 2005.

The electronic stability program ESP integrates the functions of ABS and TCS, monitors the vehicle for loss of control through various sensors, and monitors the driver’s steering intentions 25 times per second and compares it with the actual vehicle driving direction. If the opposite is found, the vehicle will lose control and cause a side slip, and the ESP will actively intervene to brake the relevant wheel. The ESP corrects oversteering (when the vehicle flicks up) or understeering (when the front of the vehicle loses grip) through an electronically computerized anti-lock braking system. ESP helps the driver to control the vehicle and follow the driver's steering intentions to improve driving safety.

In order to better test the application of ABS and ESP in extreme conditions, Bosch has built an automotive testing technology center in Yakeshi, Inner Mongolia. At present, the test center has provided testing services for 22 projects of 15 auto companies.

The contribution of Bosch's innovative ESP to road safety has been widely recognized by the international community. In April 2007, the United States passed the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 126 document which states that all vehicles weigh less than 4.5 tons sold in the United States before September 2011 must be 100% ESP-equipped. In Europe, the European Commission plans to submit legislative proposals to the EU Parliament in 2008, suggesting that the European Union impose mandatory ESP before 2011. At present, the new security measures in Victoria, Australia, require that all new cars produced after December 31, 2010 must have ESP installed.

At the end of December 2007, Bosch won the “Global Award for Road Safety, Environmental Protection and Mobility” awarded by the International Automobile Federation (FIA) and the 20th anniversary of the “Prince Michael International Road Safety Award” for the outstanding performance of ESP in R&D and marketing. Special Award - Road Safety Technology Award. The jury found that the active safety system was "the most successful scientific and technological achievement in reducing the accidental death rate of traffic accidents since 1987."

Chinese car buyers are also extremely concerned about the safety of vehicles. According to an active safety survey conducted by Bosch in China in 2007, more than 70% of Chinese car buyers consider choosing a vehicle equipped with an ABS anti-lock braking system and ESP electronic stabilization program at the next car purchase. Currently, Bosch Chassis Control Systems is working closely with Chinese automakers to continuously develop and provide its active safety technology.

Not only in terms of technical support and cooperation, Bosch has also actively assisted the Chinese government and auto industry associations in their efforts to raise awareness of road safety by the public through forums, lectures, and road shows.