CES 2022: Innovations in All Areas at Valeo

Electric vehicles are increasingly gaining ground, driver assistance systems are on the rise, intelligent onboard systems for vehicles are experiencing new developments, and lighting is also fundamentally changing and taking on more and more new functions. From 2009 to 2021, revenues in the area of assistance systems alone increased ninefold, and in the area of electrification even twenty-sixfold.

Valeo electrifies (almost) everything

Goods and people are increasingly being transported electrically. Automotive manufacturers are introducing new model series or retrofitting old models with electric motors. The electric vehicle market will grow fivefold by 2030. The spectrum ranges from small city cars to high-powered SUVs. In addition, new types of mobility are emerging: bicycles, three-wheeled vehicles, driverless delivery vehicles, robotaxis, etc.

The share of vehicles with high-voltage drives has increased ninefold, doubled in the low-voltage sector, and tripled in vehicle thermal management. By the end of 2022, nearly 100 rechargeable electric and hybrid vehicle models will be on the market, equipped with Valeo's drive and thermal management systems. As electric drive becomes more widespread, vehicle architecture—which is the technical basis for the engine, transmission, body, drivetrain, etc.—is also changing. In response to this new demand, Valeo has developed eight technology platforms for the electrification of vehicles.

"Mobility is life and freedom. The automotive industry has a great future," predicted Christophe Perillat.

E-Motorcycle and E-Bike

At CES, Valeo is presenting the prototype of a small motorcycle with electric drive. This compact and extremely light system (less than 17 kg) includes the 48V air-cooled electric motor, transmission, and integrated artificial intelligence. With this motorization, the prototype corresponds to a 125-cc motorcycle. More than 90% of the power generated by the Valeo electric motor reaches the rear wheel, whereas the combustion engine delivers only a third of its power to the wheel. This drive system is affordable and particularly tailored to the Southeast Asian markets.

Valeo has developed a drive housing that, integrated directly into the pedal unit, includes the 48V electric motor, the 7-speed automatic transmission (a joint development with Effigear), and control software adapted to the cyclist. Regardless of the type of e-bike, operation is simpler than ever. No derailleur, no sprockets, no shifters on the handlebars, and no more cables. The expertise Valeo possesses in the field of automatic transmissions for motor vehicles is transferred to this bicycle. At CES 2022, Valeo is presenting a trekking bike, a mountain bike, and a cargo bike, each equipped with a Valeo 48V system. These are precursors scheduled to go into series production in 2022.

Joint Venture Valeo Siemens in the Mercedes EQS

With the new Mercedes-Benz EQS, the electric flagship of automobile manufacturer Daimler is on display at the Valeo booth. The drive system comes from Valeo Siemens eAutomotive. The electric drive consists of two eAxle systems at the front and rear of the vehicle. This electric drivetrain includes the electric motor, the inverter – the brain of the system – and the reduction gearbox, equivalent to the transmission in conventional vehicles. The Mercedes-Benz EQS is also equipped with thermal systems from Valeo (drivetrain cooling and air conditioning systems).

Cooling and Heating

The revolution of electric drives would not be possible without thermal management systems. During fast charging, the batteries become very warm. Valeo addresses this problem with cooling technologies that are adapted to the intensity and speed of the charging process. Additionally, the French company has developed technologies for the thermal control of the battery during operation. This is an important factor, as good battery management increases range and lifespan.

At CES 2022, Valeo is presenting the first generation of its FlexHeater innovation. This is a new technology for heating electric vehicles. Instead of blowing warm air into the vehicle's interior with a fan, elements are heated that are located behind the interior trim of the vehicle, made of plastic, fabric, leather, wood, etc. With four passengers in the vehicle, the system consumes a quarter less electricity than a vehicle with a traditional heater and even half as much when the driver is alone.

Driving Assistance Systems in the Fast Lane

Valeo is the world market leader for driving assistance systems, also known as ADAS. Today, one in three new cars is equipped with systems from Valeo. In terms of hardware, Valeo has the world's most comprehensive portfolio of advanced sensors and electronic control units. The central collected information is converted into data that can be utilized by software functions. The new Mercedes-Benz S-Class is the first car in the world equipped with Valeo's second-generation LiDAR, achieving Level 3 automated driving.“With this LiDAR-based system, we have developed an innovative technology for our vehicles that offers customers a unique, luxurious driving experience,” says Markus Schäfer, Technology Officer at Mercedes Benz.

“With this LiDAR-based system, we have developed an innovative technology for our vehicles that offers customers a unique, luxurious driving experience,” says Markus Schäfer, Technology Officer at Mercedes Benz.

Now, at CES 2022, Valeo is presenting to the public its new third-generation LiDAR scanner. With its laser beams, the LiDAR scanner sees everything over 200 meters that may escape the human eye, a camera, or radar. The scanner even determines the density of raindrops and calculates the braking distance accordingly. It uses algorithms to anticipate the driving path of surrounding vehicles and initiates the necessary safety maneuvers. This makes driving delegation possible – even at speeds of up to 130 km/h on the highway.

To illustrate the development steps of LiDAR, Perillat explained that the current second-generation is 20 times faster, and the newly introduced third-generation will be 100 times faster than the first generation.

“High performance computers are the key elements in the car of the future,” explained Perillat.

Protective Shield around the Vehicle

In addition to long-range scanners, Valeo is launching an entirely new LiDAR for the immediate vehicle environment: the Valeo NFL LiDAR (Near Field LiDAR). This too will be introduced for the first time at the CES 2022 technology fair. It is used in autonomous vehicles, such as delivery vehicles and robotaxis, and creates a "protective shield" around them. Upon starting, a 360° view is immediately available. This enables the vehicle to avoid collisions with pedestrians or impacts with obstacles. In vehicles designed for highly automated driving, the scanner also captures the lateral surroundings – in addition to the data provided by other sensors.