Continental partnership with DeepDrive

Continental and DeepDrive Develop Wheel Hub Drive with Integrated Brake

Hanover, Germany- Continental AG., has entered a strategic partnership with Munich-based high-tech company DeepDrive to develop core technologies for electric vehicles. As a first milestone, both companies will jointly develop a combined unit comprising drive and brake components for mounting directly on the vehicle wheel. DeepDrive is a specialist in the development of efficient electric motors, with many years of experience in large-scale automobile production. Continental, in turn, contributes its technological know-how in brake systems and its expertise in the industrialization of innovative technologies.

Mr. Matthias Matic, head of Continental’s Safety and Motion business area said that, We have secured a solid partner in DeepDrive, with whom we can cooperatively and sustainably develop the market penetration of electric transportation. "The DeepDrive electric motors extend the range of electric vehicles." They are lighter, more cost effective, and use fewer resources. Combining all of this with our efficient, high-performance braking technology to create a new, compact unit is a critical contribution to electric mobility's success. Here, what belongs together grows together."

Mr. Felix Poernbacher, co-founder and managing director of DeepDrive, said that, We are confident that the development of our dual-rotor motor will revolutionise vehicle electrification. "Our strategic partnership with Continental allows us to combine our drive system with the brake technology required to create an innovative electric component essential to tomorrow's mobility." The high demand for such technology suggests that this is the correct path to take."

Both companies see significant potential in their collaboration as vehicle electrification allows for the eventual placement of all chassis functions, including the drive, directly on the wheel. To fully implement the various criteria of electric vehicles, such as maximising range while minimising installation space and concurrent adaptability, significant optimisation at the vehicle level is required. The proper coordination of the braking and driving systems is critical here. The integration of all elements into a single unit allows for a very high level of efficiency in both driving and braking. Furthermore, interconnected components simplify the production process by reducing complexity through modularization.