Innovative mobility and industrial solutions
- The Schaeffler Group offers forward-looking products for mobility, industry, and the energy sector
- The company actively supports its customers in designing environmentally and climate-friendly products and technologies
Research and development
1,875
patent applications2)
Part of GNFK StartAs an integrated automotive and industrial supplier, the Schaeffler Group develops product solutions in five focus areas: CO2-efficient Drives, Chassis Applications, Industrial Machinery & Equipment, Renewable Energy, and Aftermarket Solutions & Services. To this end, the company employs 7,380 (prior year: 7,444) people1) in research and development (R&D) at 20 R&D centers and other R&D sites. In 2020, the company has been submitted 1,875 (prior year: 2,385) patent applications2) to the German Patent and Trademark Office
The Schaeffler Group is committed to promoting CO2 neutral mobility, relying in large part on a combination of different drives. Based on market analyses, the “Schaeffler Vision Powertrain 2030” scenario predicts rapid acceleration of electrification and a significant increase in battery- and fuel cell-powered vehicles (xEV). By 2030, 70 % of all new vehicles manufactured worldwide will already feature an electric powertrain: 30 % all-electric and 40 % hybrid (xHEV). By 2035, the number of all-electric vehicles is expected to rise to around 50 %.
At the beginning of the year, the Schaeffler Group anchored its product research and development topics in six innovation clusters with a focus on market-relevant unique selling points. Within the clusters, all of the departments and technology functions relevant for the product development process work together at a cross-organizational project house. The Chief Technology Officer is incorporated into the cluster projects through routine steering committee meetings.Part of GNFK End
Innovation clusters in research and development
Hydrogen & energy transition
The energy transition is one of the Schaeffler Group’s strategic key topic. The company promotes the transition in a variety of ways, including developing technologies for the generation of renewable energies, for the manufacture of green hydrogen on the basis of electrolysis, and for fuel cell applications.
Electric & automated mobility
The electric and automated mobility innovation cluster monitors developments for a sustainable transition throughout the entire mobility system and across all modes of transport, from micro mobility, cars, and trucks to trains and airplanes. Key areas of development include solutions for electric drives and the Steer-by-Wire-Technology for autonomous driving as well as low-friction bearings for the fields of aerospace and rail transport.
Robotics & Internet of Things (IoT)
For the rapidly expanding robotics and IoT sectors, the Schaeffler Group offers sustainable product developments such as highly efficient drive solutions in robotics or intelligent, digital monitoring systems that also support tailored maintenance of production facilities.
Bearing technologies
One of the key aims of Schaeffler bearing technologies is to reduce friction, which makes a valuable contribution to an efficient energy transition in all of the areas in which Schaeffler bearing technology is used.
Material & surface sciences
In material and surface sciences, solutions are developed to reduce the carbon footprint of Schaeffler products and to promote the efficient use of materials and energy in production, including alternative materials for products and lightweight construction.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
In the artificial intelligence innovation cluster, the Schaeffler Group links its activities to product-related AI applications. This allows it to offer Industrial and Automotive customers more efficient solutions derived from AI methods as well as increase production efficiency through data-based algorithms.
1) Workforce values are provided as a full-time equivalent (FTE) at the end of the year.
2) Patent applications concern first filings at the German Patent and Trademark Office (DPMA). The counting method employed by the German Patent and Trademark Office was adapted in 2020.