Bosch automated parking valet guides cars to their charging stations

The German engineering and tech giant Bosch presented its vision for the future at , one of the world's most important tech gatherings, taking place in Las Vegas, Nevada from January 9 to 12. Bosch makes auto components, power tools, home appliances, security systems, and much more. At the that's part of CES Media Day, Bosch laid out its efforts towards electrification of its technologies with sustainable energy use solutions.

In particular, it sees hydrogen as an important component that can meet the world's energy needs while not negatively affecting the climate. Tanja Rückert, member of the Bosch board of management, focused her attention on the continual prevalence of fossil fuels, sharing that they currently account for some 80 percent of global energy consumption.

Her company sees that as a major challenge, exacerbating climate change. According to Rückert, finding a way forward that balances our growing energy needs with environmental, social, and economic concerns is important. As it pursues "energy focused innovations," Bosch is following two approaches.

On one hand, they look to optimize the use of traditional energy sources, improving their efficiency while driving forward electrification. Their other approach is to find sustainable alternatives that are "climate neutral." "For a low emissions future, we are optimizing the use of traditional energy sources by driving forward electrification in mobility, commercial buildings, and homes, "Rückert said.

"And we are tapping into new, sustainable energy sources – with hydrogen playing a central role." They look to build up a production and supply infrastructure to develop hydrogen based technologies, which would be key to decarbonizing the energy supply. Among specific areas of development mentioned by Bosch presenters were a hydrogen fuel cell powertrain and a hydrogen engine.

The promise of electrification Electrification, presented by Rückert, offers a way to limit energy consumption over fossil fuels and has climate neutrality "baked in." One specific innovation created by Bosch, which is the leading supplier in the electromobility value chain, is technology that allows electric cars to can drive themselves to charging stations.

Already available to customers, automated valet parking makes it much more convenient to charge electric vehicles and helps drive EV acceptance. "All you have to do is press the button on your phone, and the system takes care of the rest," said Rückert. It guides the vehicle to the charging station and back to its parking space.

This technology was chosen as a CES® 2024 Innovation Award honoree by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA). More technologies Other innovations presented by Bosch at the press conference included silicon carbide chips with greater range and efficiency and heat pump technology. Bosch announced the debut of its new cold climate air to air IDS Ultra Heat Pump.

It can achieve 100 percent heating capacity at very cold outdoor temperatures down to 13 degrees Fahrenheit, °F.( 25 degrees Celsius, °C). The company also announced a new hybrid electric water heater, which is three to four times more efficient..