Bosch and Plus have announced a new technology agreement to develop software-defined commercial trucks with partially automated features. The collaboration will integrate PlusDrive, a software-based system, with Bosch’s steering hardware and software to provide driver assistance and automated driving functions. The announcement was made at the Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo in Anaheim, California.

The PlusDrive-enabled L2++ vehicles equipped with a predictive 360-degree surround perception system provide partial automation by continuously assisting drivers with acceleration, braking, and steering. The software-based system, combined with Bosch’s hardware and software steering solution, will enable assisted driving and automated functions, including traffic jam assist, merge handling, driver-initiated and suggested lane changes, over-the-air updates, lane nudge, sensor self-calibration, and driver attentiveness detection.

Shawn Kerrigan, COO and co-founder of Plus, highlighted that the open autonomy platform would enable the next-generation safety solution, combined with Bosch’s steering software system, to prevent accidents in commercial vehicles and make roads safer. The collaboration aims to accelerate the deployment of the highly automated Plus system and improve the safety and sustainability of the trucking industry.

Bosch will offer engineering services from its Bosch Engineering team, which focuses on vehicle integration, security, and safety, in addition to steering solutions for commercial vehicles. Bosch delivers hardware and software solutions that support increasing levels of automation in commercial vehicles and significantly more powerful electronics architecture, providing the basis for the software-defined truck. Half of the R&D associates in the Bosch Mobility Solutions business sector are software engineers, which promotes the development of automated driving.

The collaboration between Plus and Bosch will facilitate the development of software-defined commercial trucks, which will bring partially automated features to the trucking industry. The PlusDrive solution combined with Bosch’s steering hardware and software will provide advanced driver assistance and highly automated driving features to improve driver retention, fuel economy savings, and reduce accidents. The collaboration between Plus and Bosch is a significant step toward achieving safer and more sustainable trucking operations.

What is L2++

L2++ refers to a level of vehicle automation in the industry-standard classification developed by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). L2++ is a partial automation level where the vehicle can take control of some functions, such as acceleration, braking, and steering, but the driver must remain alert and ready to take over at any time. L2++ systems can also provide advanced driver assistance features, such as traffic jam assist, merge handling, and lane change assist.