How do you provide a large SUV with sporty road-holding properties and minimal body roll without impairing ride comfort? Audi has resolved this by implementing electromechanical roll stabilization (eAWS). Assisted by the 48-volt onboard electrical system and powerful actuators, the stabilizers on the front and rear axle can be actively controlled according to the driving situation. As a result, the models retain their high level of ride comfort in straight-line driving. By contrast, in cornering and load alteration situations, they impress with enhanced lateral dynamics combined with minimal body roll. The technical advantages of Audi’s electromechanical solution: it is energy-efficient, operates in near-real-time and is virtually maintenance-free due to the absence of hydraulic elements.

What challenges do large SUV models pose to chassis engineers?

Customers of larger SUVs are thrilled by their many practical elements – from ample space in the cabin to cutting-edge chassis technologies to powerful engines and advanced control and assistance systems. Plus, an SUV can deliver superb performance off paved roads. Due to their design, these vehicles feature a higher curb weight and a higher center of gravity. This means that the body of an SUV leans more toward the outside in cornering than it does on models with a lower center of gravity.

What technology counteracts body roll and body movements?

In cornering, the body leans toward the outside due to the centrifugal forces, in other words, the wheel on the outside of the corner goes into jounce travel while the one on the inside of the corner goes into rebound – the vehicle rolls around its longitudinal axis. Torsionally flexible anti-roll bars between the left- and the right-hand side of the axle are proven means of compensating for this effect. They help reduce the body’s tendency to roll by applying reverse torsion torque to the suspension on the outside and inside of the corner, thus counteracting the body’s tendency to roll. This passive suspension component has the same effect in both cornering and straight-line driving. However, an effect that is desirable in cornering may impair ride comfort in straight-line driving on roads with bumps or potholes on one side of the surface. While passive solutions can reach their limits here, Audi has resolved this by means of electromechanical roll stabilization. Using sensors to capture and detect the situation, the system is designed to intervene with pinpoint precision only when less body roll is desired. Thus, the spring rate of the stabilizers on uneven and straight roads is lowered to a basic level and the spring and damper forces act by and large independently on the left- and right-hand wheels.

How does electromechanical roll stabilization work?

A conventional stabilizer operates passively. In other words, it just balances the suspension movements on both sides by means of mechanical coupling. By contrast, electromechanical roll stabilization can be specifically controlled. The system consists of two stabilizer halves per axle, with an electric motor operating between them on both the front and rear axle. It can rotate the stabilizer halves in opposite direction of each other and thus generate torque that counteracts body roll torque – individually for each wheel. As a result, it reduces the body roll angles and actively supports them against the physical effects of the driving situation. The system receives its commands via control units on the front and rear axle, which are part of the Electronic Chassis Platform (ECP). The ECP is the central brain of the chassis. Within milliseconds, it matches a variety of parameters such as speed, ride height, roll and pitch movements of the car, the friction coefficient of the road surface, the current driving condition such as under- or over-steer, plus the data of the chassis systems involved. From this input, the system calculates the ideal responses for the integrated components and adjusts them quickly and precisely to each other. The required electrical energy is supplied to the eAWS by a powerful 48-volt onboard electrical system. Within milliseconds, the system calculates suitable actuation values for the stabilizers. The electric motors deliver their power output via three-stage planetary gearboxes, with torque levels of up to 1,200 Nm being generated at the stabilizers.

What is “Vorsprung durch Technik” in the case of an electromechanical solution?

The 48-volt system enables an immediate system response even at low speeds. Latency between the sensors detecting body roll and the response by the electric motors is just a few milliseconds. Unlike hydraulic solutions, the eco-friendly electromechanical system does not require oil circuits and is maintenance-free. It is even able to recuperate energy by capturing suspension impulses on its electric motor, converts them into electrical energy and stores it in the lithium-ion battery of the onboard electrical system. The electromechanical solution uses energy more efficiently as well. In contrast to hydraulic circuits, it does not have to store and provide pressure.

How does the driver benefit from the system?

The system helps reduce the body’s tendency to roll, provides a sportier and more confident handling impression and emphasizes the versatile character of the large SUV models. It can actively distribute roll torque to the front and rear wheels and influence the car’s intrinsic steering characteristics such as the tendency to under- or oversteer. The Audi drive select driving dynamics system offers various setup options for this. Electromechanically active roll stabilization imparts to the driver a dynamic and precise feel in a variety of situations and enables enhanced handling characteristics. It is one of various systems that perfect the dynamism of the top-end models of the Q range. The Audi Q7, SQ7, SQ8 and RS Q8 models with their controllable stabilizers respond to the driving situation precisely as expected by the driver. On uneven road surfaces, the body movements are reduced while ride comfort increases. In sporty driving and at high cornering speeds, the car feels more stable and at ease. It pushes itself into a bend in the road. Audi has deliberately selected a setup that does not completely neutralize the roll angle but continues to impart an authentic feel of the driving dynamics situation.

How is the system on the racetrack and the real world?

Impressive proof of the influence of the controllable stabilizers was provided by race and test driver Frank Stippler in the fall of 2019. As part of the development work for the Audi RS Q8 the professional race driver, who in 2019 won the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring for the second time with Audi, set a new lap record for production SUVs. He managed to drive the 20.832-kilometer distance of the race track in the Eifel region in just 7:42 minutes. Forty percent of global Audi customers who have ordered a large Audi SUV model have chosen the option of electromechanical active roll stabilization. (MT)

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Gabriel India, the listed flagship company of Anand Group, has entered into a joint venture with South Korea-based HL Klemove to acquire a 30 percent minus one share stake in HL Klemove India for USD 98.44 million (INR 9.35 billion).

The joint venture will focus on the development, manufacturing and commercialisation of autonomous driving components, Advanced Driver Assistance Systems and automotive electronics.

The product portfolio includes radar, front cameras, LiDAR, automated driving and parking control units with embedded ADAS software, brake electronic control units, steering electronic control units, chassis control units and torque sensors.

Jaisal Singh, Vice-Chairman, Anand Group, said, “As a key growth engine of the Anand Group, Gabriel India is focused on building scale, enhancing competitiveness, and broadening its presence across high-growth automotive segments. Our latest joint venture with HL Klemove represents a strategic step forward in this endeavour.”

Anjali Singh, Executive Chairperson of Anand Group and Gabriel India, said, “Bolstering our position across critical automotive systems while expanding our participation in future-oriented mobility and automotive technology segments, this new JV for autonomous driving and automotive electronics marks an important inflection point, enabling Gabriel India to further diversify its portfolio and strengthen its participation in emerging mobility segments.”

Mahendra K Goyal, Group CEO, Anand and Managing Director of Gabriel India, said, “Beyond unlocking new opportunities for growth, this collaboration will foster deeper OEM engagement, expand our participation in future mobility solutions and create enduring value for all stakeholders.”

The investment aligns with Gabriel India’s strategy to expand into automotive sectors, following previous joint ventures in sunroofs, lubricants, electric vehicle fluids and precision fasteners.

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CarYaar Auto Private Limited, a DPIIT-recognised technology startup, has announced the appointment of Sahaib Singh as its new Co-Founder and Head of Technology. The company, which operates within India’s fragmented car servicing ecosystem, is focused on integrating transparency and digital trust into the automotive aftermarket. Singh’s arrival marks a pivotal moment for the firm as it works to expand its technological infrastructure and formalize a sector traditionally characterised by informal practices.

Bringing over a decade of experience as a full-stack technologist across mobility, freight and artificial intelligence platforms, Singh will now spearhead the company’s technology strategy and product development. His leadership comes at a critical juncture as CarYaar advances its integrated digital platform, which aims to seamlessly connect car owners, workshops and other stakeholders within the automotive service network. The company is prioritising practical solutions over complex enterprise systems, developing a mobile-first, offline-capable and WhatsApp-native interface to ensure accessibility for multi-brand workshops and customers alike.

Under Singh’s technical direction, the platform is being tailored to serve three distinct user groups with specific operational tools. Workshops are equipped with digital job cards, photo-based inspections, parts tracking and billing systems, while service advisors and managers receive web-based applications for estimate creation and analytics. For car owners, the service enables booking, real-time job tracking and digital payments through WhatsApp, eliminating the need for a separate application. The overarching goal is to use technology not merely to digitise existing processes but to fundamentally enhance the relationship between vehicle owners and service providers.

CarYaar’s model emphasises transparency through features such as real-time photo documentation, pre-approved estimates and digital billing, offering customers clear visibility into their vehicle’s service journey. Currently operating with a network of certified empanelled workshops in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, the startup is actively building a broader technology-enabled ecosystem that includes multi-brand services, roadside assistance and spares management. This strategic expansion reinforces the company’s commitment to developing simple, accessible and genuinely useful technology for the Indian workshop environment.

Joel Daniel D’Souza, Co-Founder & Director, CarYaar Auto Private Limited, said, “Sahaib brings a strong combination of technology depth and experience across mobility and emerging technology platforms. As we scale CarYaar, technology will be central to how we connect customers and workshops, create transparency and bring greater efficiency to the entire ecosystem. His leadership will be critical as we move from building the foundation to scaling the platform.”

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Tata Communications and Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles have entered into a collaboration to equip the Sierra.ev with embedded 5G cellular connectivity, targeting the deployment of software-defined vehicles (SDVs) in India.

As per the understanding, the Tata Communications MOVE Connected Vehicle Platform will integrate into the car's software architecture, designated as N.IO. The system supports artificial intelligence applications, content streaming, over-the-air software updates, optional subscription packages and vehicle functions including emergency calls, remote assistance and real-time diagnostics.

Vivek Manglik, Executive Vice-President of Interaction Fabric at Tata Communications, said, “Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles has consistently set benchmarks for innovation in the automotive industry, and we are excited to collaborate on the launch of the Sierra.ev. As vehicles evolve into intelligent ecosystems that enable a growing range of services and applications, the underlying digital fabric will be central to fostering innovation and scaling new capabilities. This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to shaping a smarter mobility experience that will securely enhance convenience and personalisation.”

Sven Patuschka, CTO, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, said, “As vehicles become increasingly software-defined, highly intuitive digital connectivity and services will play a central role in shaping customer experiences. The Sierra.ev marks an important step in this evolution, and our collaboration with Tata Communications provides the robust digital backbone required to deliver seamless connectivity, continuous innovation, and enhanced in-vehicle experiences. Together, we are enabling technologies that allow vehicles to adapt, improve, and deliver greater value throughout their lifecycle.”

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Tata Consultancy Services has entered into an agreement with Porsche to acquire 100 percent of MHP Management- und IT-Beratung, the car maker's management and IT consulting subsidiary.

The transaction remains subject to regulatory and antitrust approvals and is expected to close in the coming months.

Furthermore, the acquisition is paired with a 5-year strategic agreement between TCS and Porsche to deploy artificial intelligence (AI) technologies across the automaker's value chain.

As per the understanding, MHP will operate as an independent consulting firm and retain its brand identity within TCS, combining MHP's automotive consulting operations across Europe with TCS's engineering, cloud and AI infrastructure.

Federico Magno, Group CEO, MHP, said, “MHP’s sweet spot has always been where entrepreneurial thinking, deep industry expertise and technology come together to make transformation happen. With TCS, we are bringing together MHP’s deep automotive and industrial capabilities with global scale, AI, engineering and technology expertise. This gives us an even stronger platform to accelerate our next chapter – with more capabilities, more reach and greater impact for our clients. Most importantly, it creates new opportunities for our people and clients to shape the future of industry.”

K Krithivasan, CEO and MD, Tata Consultancy Services, said, “TCS is pleased to partner Porsche in its transformation journey. As AI, software and data redefine the automotive industry, this partnership brings together TCS’ capabilities in AI, engineering and technology and business transformation with MHP’s strong automotive consulting expertise. Together, we will industrialise AI at scale for Porsche, accelerating innovation across the value chain to deliver intelligent, software-defined mobility experiences of the future.”

As part of the multi-year deal, TCS and MHP will establish an AI Mobility Centre of Excellence to develop and deploy artificial intelligence systems for manufacturing, engineering, supply-chain operations, and customer service applications.

Dr Michael Leiters, CEO and Chairman of the Executive Board, Porsche AG, said, “Porsche is taking another important step in its strategy to focus resolutely on its core business with the transfer of MHP to Tata Consultancy Services. At the same time, we are gaining a strategic partner in TCS. By combining Porsche's automotive expertise with TCS's digital technology and AI capabilities, we will further strengthen our innovative power, increase efficiency and boost our competitiveness in an increasingly data- and software-driven world of mobility.”

The move enables Porsche to focus resources on its core vehicle operations while retaining MHP and TCS as external technology partners for its IT and digital transformation requirements.

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