Schaeffler has entered into a global partnership with Sonatus, a leading provider of intelligence-driven software-defined vehicle (SDV) technologies, to integrate Edge AI capabilities into motion control solutions for next-generation vehicles.
The collaboration combines Schaeffler’s advanced control units with Sonatus’ AI infrastructure software, enabling intelligence to operate directly at the vehicle edge. The joint solution is designed to accelerate vehicle development, reduce system complexity, and support continuous performance improvements throughout the vehicle lifecycle.
As software-defined vehicles increasingly rely on the seamless integration of hardware, software, and data, the partnership aims to provide automakers with a scalable and future-ready platform. By integrating Sonatus Collector AI and Sonatus AI Director into Schaeffler’s control units, the companies have created a pre-integrated solution that simplifies deployment and helps manufacturers bring advanced vehicle architectures to market more quickly.
The collaboration reflects the growing importance of artificial intelligence in automotive software platforms, enabling real-time data processing, enhanced vehicle intelligence, and ongoing software-driven optimization across connected and autonomous mobility applications.
“Software-defined vehicles require a robust and scalable hardware foundation,” says Thomas Stierle, CEO E-Mobility at Schaeffler AG. “Our control units run data-driven and AI-based functions within the vehicle, enabling the next generation of vehicle architectures.”
From hardware to intelligent systems
As Motion Technology Company, Schaeffler contributes its cross-domain control units and comprehensive system integration expertise across powertrain, energy, chassis, and body domains – enabling centralized and zonal architectures that form the backbone of an SDV.
Sonatus brings to the partnership a proven track record in production-grade, AI-driven technology for software-defined vehicles that is deployed in more than 8 million vehicles. Its solutions extend Schaeffler’s systems with embedded AI capabilities:
- Sonatus Collector AI enables targeted, real-time data collection without relying on large-scale data logging
- Sonatus AI Director allows the deployment and lifecycle management of AI models directly on the vehicle
“Hardware centralization is the first step; the software-defined vehicle is realized when AI can be running at the edge and when hardware continuously learns and adapts. Together with Schaeffler, we are turning static control units into dynamic, intelligence-driven systems,” says Jeff Chou, CEO and Co-Founder of Sonatus.
Clear benefits for OEMs
The solution developed by the partners allows automakers to run and continuously improve key vehicle functions – such as steering, braking, and energy management – directly on the control unit. New features and optimizations can be deployed over the vehicle’s lifecycle without hardware changes.
Flexible data collection enables faster issue resolution and deeper insights into vehicle performance, equipping OEMs to better manage increasing system complexity while significantly accelerating development cycles.
The partnership underlines Schaeffler’s strategic focus on software and systems engineering for software-defined vehicles. By combining hardware, embedded software and system integration expertise, Schaeffler helps its customers to manage increasing system complexity and accelerate the adoption of future vehicle architectures.
“Our central control units are equipped with a pre-integrated software infrastructure that includes solutions such as Sonatus products. This significantly simplifies integration for our customers and helps them accelerate the centralization of their software architecture,” says Rodrigo Peres, Senior Vice President of Business Unit Vehicle and Battery Controls at Schaeffler AG.
