"Chassis 2.0" system uses sensors and cameras to anticipate irregularities on the road and prepare the suspension before impact
The end of bumps caused by potholes in the roads may be near thanks to the advancement of artificial intelligence applied to road systems. German supplier ZF has presented its new strategy, called “Chassis 2.0”, which uses a combination of hardware, software and AI to anticipate imperfections on the road and adapt the vehicle’s behavior even before impact.
The central pillar of this evolution is the AI Road Sense system. Unlike conventional electronic suspensions, which react after the tire reaches an irregularity, ZF technology analyzes road conditions in real time. This allows for automatic adjustments to the car’s suspension and dynamic balance, preparing the chassis for the type of surface that the driver will encounter metres ahead.
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The proposal consolidates a trend of “reading the road” that has already mobilized other giants in the sector. Honda, for example, uses GPS data and sensors to monitor roads, while Jaguar Land Rover relies on radar and ultrasound to assess off-road terrain. The difference of the ZF solution lies in the direct action: the Cubix software manages the data to continuously reconfigure parameters such as damping and torque distribution, prioritizing stability.
The system also incorporates active noise reduction and driver behavior recognition functions, adapting the vehicle to the identified driving style. The technology will be offered in three levels of complexity: Standard, which uses data already existing in the car; Advanced, which adds cameras for surface detection; and the Premium, equipped with LiDAR sensors capable of generating a three-dimensional mapping of the road with a range of up to 25 meters.
