Germany’s Minister of Transport Dobrindt learns about the future of the car

The German Federal Minister of Transport and Digital Infrastructure Alexander Dobrindt acknowledges the importance of microelectronics as a key technology for the mobility of the future. Visiting the headquarters of Infineon Technologies AG (FSE: IFX / OTCQX: IFNNY), he learned about how the company is supporting policy goals to develop mobility: Infineon, with more than 40 years’ experience in automotive electronics, provides the technological prerequisites for the main drivers of automated and connected driving.

”Innovative companies such as Infineon demonstrate that Germany is a trailblazer for mobility 4.0,” said Germany’s Transport Minister Alexander Dobrindt. ”Automated and connected driving will enhance traffic safety, substantially improve the flow of traffic and increase capacities. This will relieve some of the burden for drivers and the environment, create added value and create new jobs. My goal is for Germany to be the leading provider of automated and connected vehicles and become the leading market. To that end, we have developed the strategy for automated and connected driving and, in the shape of the ‘Digital Autobahn Test Zone’, created an offering for industry and research.”

Benefits for safety, the environment, the economy, and convenience

Dr. Reinhard Ploss, CEO of Infineon Technologies AG, welcomed the ministry’s initiatives to expand interconnectedness in traffic. “Microelectronics from Infineon is a key technology for automated and connected driving,” said Ploss. ”It represents four major benefits for society. The top is always safety for all road users: Driver assistance systems can dramatically reduce the number of accidents. Second, more efficient driving will emit fewer pollutants. Third, connected traffic will help us spend less time in traffic jams – another win for the economy. And fourth, driving will be more convenient.”

Infineon introduced the Minister to the Central Driver Assistance System (Zentrale Fahrerassistenzsystem, zFAS) that was developed by TTTech Computertechnik AG and AUDI AG. Powered by AURIX™ microcontrollers by Infineon, it forms the core component for autonomous driving at AUDI. Infineon also demonstrated how IT security is made possible on board connected cars: For automated driving and new business models to gain acceptance, users must be able to trust the information systems. The driver assistance system developed by Leopold Kostal GmbH & Co. KG and Infineon can help to dramatically reduce the number of accidents. The camera-based system detects dangerous situations that can arise when drivers are distracted or tired.

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Infineon’s CEO Dr. Reinhard Ploss (right) demonstrates Alexander Dobrindt, German Federal Minister of Transport and Digital Infrastructure, a power module used for motor control in electric vehicles.