ZF Ramps Up ADAS Capabilities with New Plant

ZF has something to smile about with its new monocular camera technology and other advanced-driver-assist systems.

To keep up with growing demand, the supplier has opened a new electronics facility in Czestochowa, Poland.

ZF Electronics plant in Poland. (Images: ZF)

In addition to the latest S-Cam 4.8 system, starting next year the 129,000-sq-ft plant will produce pressure sensors for pedestrian detection, integrated electronic parking brakes, electronic brake boosters, airbag control units and next-generation braking systems.

The new facility hired about 100 workers initially. But employment is expected to nearly quadruple by 2022.

Wide View

ZF launched the S-Cam 4.8 earlier this year on the Nissan Rogue crossover in the U.S.

Teamed with Mobileye’s EyeQ4 processor, the new camera is used for automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assistance, traffic jam assist and other ADAS functions.

ZF S-Cam 4.8

S-Cam 4.8 is said to be the first monocular system with a 100° horizontal field of view. Previous-generation mono-cameras use a standard 52° FOV lens.

The expanded FOV is especially helpful in detecting objects approaching from the sides of a vehicle at an intersection, the supplier notes.

Growing Demand

ZF also supplies the S-Cam 4.8 to Fiat Chrysler (Fiat, Alfa Romeo and Iveco), Renault-Nissan and Hyundai. Applications also are in the works with several carmakers in China.

In addition to Czestochowa, ZF produces the new camera at its facilities in Marshall, Ill., and Anting, China. The Polish plant can produce 1 million cameras per year—just under Marshall and Anting’s capacities—with the potential to double output in the future, according to the supplier.

ZF claims to be the leading supplier of forward-facing cameras in the auto industry, with contracts with more than a dozen OEMs.

Familiar Locale

Construction on the new electronics complex started two years ago.

ZF’s new electronics plant (foreground) is adjacent to the company’s shared services facility in Czestochowa

ZF (through its acquisition of TRW) has had operations in Czestochowa for more than 30 years. The company owns two other manufacturing plants (airbags and seatbelts) a safety engineering center and various administrative offices in the region.

ZF says the new factory is its first “greenfield” automotive plant in eastern Europe. The company also has facilities that employ a combined 8,000 people in six other cities in Poland.