China Automotive Systems (CAAS), which specializes in power steering components and systems, has entered an agreement with truck builder Scania to develop eRCB (electric recirculating ball) steering systems for the latter’s trucks and buses.
Built upon CAAS’s proprietary technology and ADAS L4 platform, named AP04, the eRCB steering system is a fully electric, intelligent steering system for light- and medium-duty truck and heavy-duty commercial vehicles. It features a twin electric motor structure with high torque output and the AP04 driver-assist system enables vehicles to execute Level-4 autonomous driving maneuvers.
The eRCB steering system is expected to become the world’s first mass-produced fully electric intelligent power steering system for commercial vehicles.
Qizhou Wu, chief executive officer at CAAS, commented, “We are excited to add another global OEM to our customer list and reach another major milestone as we continue to drive our international growth through continued innovation and superior quality. Due to the heavy payloads and tough road conditions, the commercial vehicle market is still dominated by traditional hydraulic steering systems, which presents a unique opportunity for our new product which is more environmentally friendly and driver friendly.”
