The Future of the Software-Defined Chassis Has Nexteer Inside

When asked to envision the car of the future as a software-defined vehicle (SDV), many put themselves into a futuristic cockpit with immersive displays, rich infotainment, and new digital experiences. It makes sense that people might focus on what’s visible to the driver rather than the systems beneath the surface getting them from point A to B. Yet, that’s where real transformation is happening. The systems responsible for motion are evolving in exceptional ways.

Software is now deeply embedded into primary chassis functions such as steering and braking, unlocking new opportunities to elevate safety and performance, and freedom to rethink system design and placement entirely. As part of the larger SDV ecosystem, Nexteer is honed in on the software-defined chassis (SDC).

Powering the Software-Defined Chassis

At Nexteer, our Motion-by-Wire™ portfolio is at the heart of our motion control technologies for the SDC. By replacing physical connections with software-centered architecture, we’re unlocking new levels of safety, performance and comfort across traditional and automated driving.

• Steer-by-Wire (SbW) offers scalable architecture with broad applicability across propulsion types, vehicle segments, left- and right-hand-drive configurations and ADAS levels.
• Rear-Wheel Steering (RWS), a form of SbW that allows vehicles’ rear wheels to turn up to 12 degrees, enhancing maneuverability through congested spaces and easily handling the wider turning radius required with heavier, long-wheel-base vehicles that are growing increasingly popular.
• Electro-Mechanical Braking (EMB) trades traditional hydraulics and mechanical links for smart electronic control, enabling shorter stopping distances and enhancing stability, safety and comfort.
• Our latest innovation, a High Mount Direct Drive SbW Handwheel Actuator (HMDD), was recently recognized as an Automotive News PACE pilot finalist. HMDD connects the dots between the SDC and the driver’s seat, leveraging a compact, high-mount, direct-drive actuator with a stationary hub that gives automakers new freedom to reimagine steering placement in the cockpit design and the steering interface itself.

Our MotionIQ™ software suite rounds out this portfolio with three product groups: MotionIQ/Control™, MotionIQ/Dev™ and MotionIQ/Health™ that seamlessly work together to deliver precise motion control, accelerated chassis development and advanced predictive maintenance.

Beyond Connectivity and Autonomy with MotionIQ/Control™ and MotionIQ/Health™

To meet market demand for safety without compromising performance, Nexteer has built advanced safety functions directly into the software-defined chassis. By replacing mechanical connections with algorithms, electronics and actuators, information can travel both ways – from driver input to steering and braking systems, and from steering and braking systems back to the driver, delivering optimal safety with an enhanced driving experience.

• MotionIQ/Control includes Hands‑Off Detection, Quiet Wheel Steering, and a growing suite of advanced steering functions that can work together to improve safety for drivers by alerting them to hazards in the cockpit, on the road or by keeping a steering wheel still during autonomous driving.
• MotionIQ/Control also offers dynamic, customized driving functions such as Steer-by-Brake, which connects chassis components and leverages a vehicle’s electronic brakes to steer while controlling speed. This puts essential safety redundancies into place without the cost and complexity of additional hardware.
• MotionIQ/Health enables predictive maintenance by monitoring the health of tires and chassis systems. By measuring electrical and mechanical performance under actual driving conditions, the software can predict issues before they occur, allowing for convenient maintenance and reduced diagnostic costs.

Accelerating OEM Feature Development with MotionIQ/Dev™

OEMs are increasingly seeking integrated system solutions to address pain points across the vehicle. With our competencies in motion control and emphasis on systems-level performance, we offer two software development approaches for a new level of customized systems integration.

• For OEMs developing proprietary features in‑house, MotionIQ/Dev includes the Modelware solution— a model‑based, no‑code environment that lets teams design steering control algorithms, automate coding and integration, and flash updates directly to hardware during vehicle testing, all while adhering to industry standards.
• For OEMs seeking a development partner, MotionIQ/Dev™ also offers Nexteer‑led feature development backed by our systems design, engineering and integration experts.

Legacy Expertise and Modern Solutions

Nexteer has a 120-year history in the automotive space, and the value of our solutions grows as vehicles increasingly rely on intelligent, connected technologies. We’re reshaping the chassis from a collection of independent subsystems to a unified, interoperable software-defined platform.

Our SDC foundation brings together advanced steering, software, and systems-integration expertise. By innovating through a software-forward lens, we enable greater vehicle hardware standardization while giving OEMs the flexibility to tailor driving experiences through software-driven features.

The Road Forward

The software-defined chassis is connecting drivers to the road in new ways and enabling a new generation of vehicles to move beyond software-defined to software-driven. As intelligent, connected architectures without added hardware complexity become the expectation, Nexteer’s legacy of chassis systems paired with our Motion by Wire™ solutions offers the foundation needed to bring this vision to life.

Want to learn more? Join Peter’s webinar: The New Partnership Playbook: How OEMs and Suppliers Are Innovating Together with Bernard Swiecki, VP of Mobility & Research, Detroit Regional Partnership and Kalea Hall, Automotive Reporter, Reuters

September 25 | ⏰ 12:00–1:00 PM ET | 🍴 Lunch & Learn Webinar

Hosted by the Society of Automotive Analysts

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