ZF Unveils Smart Camera 6, ProAI Supercomputers and ZF Annotate to Power Software-Defined Vehicles

ZF Unveils Smart Camera 6, ProAI Supercomputers and ZF Annotate to Power Software-Defined Vehicles

(IN BRIEF) ZF, the global leader in ADAS smart cameras with 30 percent market share, has enhanced its ADAS turnkey portfolio to address software-defined vehicle trends. The new Smart Camera 6 features 8 MP resolution, a 120° field of view and OTA updates. ZF now offers 25+ driving-assist and parking functions as standalone software, deployable on any central or domain controller. Its ProAI compute family scales from camera-only units to 1 500 TOPS supercomputers supporting ADAS, chassis and IVI domains. Connectivity is handled by ProConnect—an all-in-one solution for cellular, satellite, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, V2X, cybersecurity and cloud services—while ZF Annotate leverages AI to compress validation timelines by up to ten times. Dr. Christian Brenneke emphasised that this integrated ecosystem accelerates OEMs’ transition to next-gen E/E architectures.

(PRESS RELEASE) FRIEDRICHSHAFEN/ KOBLENZ, 18-Jun-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — ZF is reinforcing its leadership in advanced driver–assist systems (ADAS) turnkey solutions by expanding its smart camera portfolio, software offerings and virtual validation tools to meet the demands of software-defined vehicles and next-generation electrical architectures.

With a 30 percent global market share in ADAS smart cameras—surpassing 75 million units delivered since 2008—ZF’s latest Smart Camera 6 pushes front-facing perception further. It delivers an 8 MP sensor, a 120° horizontal field of view and over-the-air update capability, quadrupling resolution versus its predecessor while retaining the compact, integrated sensor-and-compute format.

Recognising the shift toward centralised compute, ZF now packages more than 25 driving-assist and parking functions as standalone software modules that can run on controllers from any supplier. These software-only solutions interface with vehicle braking, steering and other actuators via central or domain computers—enabling manufacturers to mix and match features in modular, scalable configurations.

At the heart of ZF’s compute offerings sits the ProAI family, which scales from entry-level units for single-camera or parking tasks to XXL supercomputers with up to 1 500 TOPS of performance. ProAI’s automotive-grade boards support multiple processor types, operating systems and domains—combining ADAS/automated-driving, chassis control and in-vehicle infotainment in a single box when required.

To connect those intelligent systems, ZF’s ProConnect platform orchestrates cellular, satellite, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and V2X communications, secures data flows, and delivers cloud services—from OTA updates and HD map generation to remote diagnostics and incident management. A dedicated GNSS correction service further enhances positioning accuracy.

Finally, ZF Annotate accelerates ADAS validation up to tenfold by generating AI-powered “ground truth” from vehicle and reference sensor data in the cloud. By automatically annotating, classifying and tracking objects within the environment model, this service shrinks annotation cycles from 12 to just two months—enabling faster, more rigorous validation from Level 2+ to Level 5 automated-driving functions.

“We’ve built a comprehensive ADAS ecosystem: from market-leading cameras and flexible software to powerful central computers, connectivity platforms and AI-driven validation,” said Dr. Christian Brenneke, Head of ZF’s Electronics & ADAS division. “This end-to-end offering positions us perfectly to support OEMs as they embrace software-defined architectures and accelerate development cycles.”

About ZF
ZF is a global technology company supplying advanced mobility products and systems for passenger cars, commercial vehicles and industrial technology. Its comprehensive product range is primarily aimed at vehicle manufacturers, mobility providers and startup companies in the fields of transportation and mobility. ZF electrifies a wide range of vehicle types. With its products, the company contributes to reducing emissions, protecting the climate as well as enhancing safe mobility. Alongside the automotive sector – passenger cars and commercial vehicles – ZF also serves market segments such as construction and agricultural machinery, wind power, marine propulsion, rail drives and test systems.

With some 161,600 employees worldwide, ZF reported sales of €41.4 billion in fiscal 2024. The company operates 161 production locations in 30 countries.

For further press information and photos, please visit: press.zf.com

Media Contact:

Mirko Gutemann
Corporate R&D, ADAS/AD Technology,
Phone: +49 7541 77-960136
email: mirko.gutemann@zf.com

SOURCE: ZF