Bosch Unveils Hydrogen Investments, Automated Valet Charging at 2024 CES
German engineering and technology company Bosch made some exciting announcements at the 2024 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. The company showcased its investments in hydrogen technology and introduced an innovative solution for electric vehicle charging.
Bosch believes that hydrogen will play a crucial role in meeting future energy needs. The company is investing in various aspects of the hydrogen chain, including hydrogen fuel cells, hydrogen combustion, and diesel mixing solutions. While there is ongoing debate about the viability of hydrogen for passenger cars, industry experts in the heavy truck and equipment sector argue that until battery energy density improves significantly, hydrogen remains a practical option for heavy-duty applications.
In addition to hydrogen technology, Bosch unveiled its Automated Valet Charging (AVC) system. This solution aims to address the challenges associated with charging electric vehicles. Bosch highlighted the inconvenience of finding charging stations and parking near them. With AVC, drivers can simply press a few buttons on their smartphones and their vehicles will autonomously navigate to a charging station, allowing them to continue with their activities while the car tops up its battery. Although Bosch acknowledged potential challenges in the United States, such as improper use of charging spots and parking lot accidents, they believe that these issues can be addressed through smart programming.
Another significant announcement at CES involved Bosch’s investment in a new chip facility in Roseville, California. The company plans to invest over $1.5 billion in the facility, which is expected to start production in 2026. The chips produced by Bosch will enable greater range and more efficient charging for electric vehicles, using only 50% of the electrical energy consumed by standard chips. However, there is growing competition in the chip market, with Tesla, Qualcomm, and Geely/Volvo’s Black Sesame all making advancements in this field.
Bosch also showcased its commitment to improving energy efficiency with two new products. The first is the IDS Ultra, a heat pump designed for cold climates. According to Bosch, this heat pump is affordable, easy to install, and capable of cooling or heating homes even in temperatures as low as -13 degrees Fahrenheit.
The second product is a hybrid heat pump water heater that boasts three to four times the efficiency of traditional electric water heaters. This efficiency is particularly impressive considering Bosch’s reputation for energy-efficient home appliances.
In the realm of software, Bosch aims to position itself as a software company for mobility and automation. The company highlighted the importance of software in achieving sustainable future mobility. To support this goal, Bosch introduced a battery usage certificate specifically designed for fleet managers. This system provides real-time data to help fleet managers prolong the usable battery life in electric vehicles, potentially reducing breakdowns and avoiding costly delays.
While Bosch’s presentation covered a wide range of innovative solutions, it also included some controversial elements. The mention of a connected espresso machine that can synchronise with a car to prepare a hot drink upon arrival raised questions about practicality and necessity.
Overall, Bosch’s announcements at CES 2024 demonstrate the company’s commitment to sustainable technologies, including hydrogen, efficient charging solutions, improved chip technology, energy-efficient heat pumps, and software-driven solutions for mobility. As the world shifts towards a more sustainable future, Bosch is positioning itself at the forefront of innovation in the technology and engineering sectors.
