Schaeffler to Showcase Chassis and Body Innovations for Safer, More Comfortable and More Connected Vehicles at Automotive Symposium 2026

Greater comfort, convenience, and safety, along with improved handling, are shaping the future of mobility: Schaeffler’s new technologies for chassis and body are setting benchmarks for modern vehicles across all powertrain systems. (Photo: Schaeffler)

(IN BRIEF) Schaeffler will present its latest chassis and body technology innovations at the 13th Schaeffler Automotive Symposium in Bühl, with a focus on improving comfort, convenience, safety, handling and driving dynamics in modern vehicles. The company is responding to the growing complexity of vehicle architectures driven by electrification, automation and software by developing integrated mechatronic solutions for steering, damping, braking, sensors, vehicle access and autonomous driving support. Its Chassis & Body portfolio includes rear-wheel steering, steer-by-wire systems with force-feedback actuators, human-machine interface input devices, semi-active and active damping technologies, low-friction wheel bearings, keyless vehicle access systems, sensor cleaning systems and high-performance brakes. Schaeffler also emphasizes sensor fusion, using data from multiple vehicle sensors to improve decision-making and enable functions such as active damping, automated driving support, interior monitoring and access systems. The Chassis & Body cluster will be one of four thematic areas at the 2026 symposium, held under the theme Beyond Driving. Innovation made by Schaeffler.

(PRESS RELEASE) BÜHL, 22-May-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — Schaeffler will present a new generation of chassis and body technologies at the 13th Schaeffler Automotive Symposium in Bühl, highlighting how intelligent vehicle systems can improve comfort, convenience, safety and driving dynamics across modern mobility platforms.

As electrification, automation and software-driven vehicle architectures continue to reshape the automotive industry, chassis and body systems are becoming increasingly important areas of innovation. Schaeffler is addressing this shift with technologies for vibration damping, steering, braking, sensors, keyless vehicle access, sensor cleaning and force feedback actuators, all designed to support the next stage of vehicle development across different powertrain systems.

“With a view to the mobility transformation, there are huge market potentials for Schaeffler within the Chassis & Body domain. Our innovations take comfort, convenience, handling dynamics, and safety to a new level – and create an important building block for autonomous vehicle platforms,” said Matthias Zink, CEO Powertrain & Chassis at Schaeffler AG.

At the symposium, Schaeffler will demonstrate how smart connectivity between its chassis and body technologies can create a more refined ride experience and support future vehicle platforms. The company’s approach is based on integrated mechatronic solutions, in-house component development and system-level expertise aimed at meeting the requirements of automakers building modern vehicles across all powertrain types.

A key element of Schaeffler’s technology direction is the intelligent use of sensors. Through sensor fusion, data from different vehicle sensors can be evaluated together to support reliable decision-making in various driving situations. This can include the analysis of environmental and road data to improve functions such as active vehicle damping.

By combining electric motors, gearboxes, software and sensors, Schaeffler aims to deliver precise control, strong performance and high levels of safety in increasingly connected vehicle architectures. The company said its sensor portfolio supports precise control of acceleration, deceleration and lateral guidance while also enabling automated functions, interior monitoring and access-related systems.

“For highly interconnected vehicle architectures to serve the mobility of the future, Schaeffler is already offering high-precision, reliable solutions thanks to its comprehensive and well-established sensor portfolio,” said Matthias Zink. “Our innovations enable precise control of acceleration, deceleration, and lateral guidance while maximizing comfort and convenience for vehicle occupants. They also support automated functions and monitoring systems for the vehicle interior and access.”

Within the chassis domain, Schaeffler will present technologies including rear-wheel steering, steer-by-wire systems with force-feedback actuators and new human-machine interface input devices for future vehicle architectures. These solutions are designed to improve maneuverability while supporting advanced driver assistance systems and autonomous driving functions.

The company will also showcase semi-active and active damping technologies that adapt to road and driving conditions in real time. Combined with low-friction wheel bearings, these systems are intended to improve ride comfort, road holding, vehicle dynamics and energy efficiency.

Schaeffler’s body-related innovations include keyless vehicle entry systems that support seamless automated access while combining convenience with modern security functions. The company will also present sensor cleaning systems for autonomous driving, designed to help safety-critical sensors remain reliable by keeping sensor surfaces clean in challenging environmental conditions.

The symposium will also feature Schaeffler’s newly developed high-performance braking systems, which are designed to support overall safety, longer maintenance intervals and reduced particulate emissions.

The Chassis & Body technology cluster is one of four main thematic areas at the Schaeffler Automotive Symposium 2026. Under the theme Beyond Driving. Innovation made by Schaeffler, the company will use its largest customer event to present a broad range of product innovations for the mobility sector.

Schaeffler Group – We pioneer motion: The Schaeffler Group has been driving forward groundbreaking inventions and developments in the field of motion technology for 80 years. With innovative technologies, products, and services for electric mobility, CO₂-efficient drives, chassis solutions and renewable energies, the company is a reliable partner for making motion more efficient, intelligent, and sustainable – over the entire life cycle. Schaeffler describes its comprehensive range of products and services by means of eight product families: From bearing solutions and all types of linear guidance systems through to repair and monitoring services. Schaeffler is with around 110,000 employees and more than 250 locations in 55 countries, one of the world’s largest family-owned companies and one of Germany’s most innovative companies.

Media Contacts:

Theresa Kronthaler
Head of Communications Division E-Mobility, Schaeffler
E-Mail: theresa.kronthaler@mail.schaeffler.com

Steffen Nieländer
Head of Communications Powertrain & Chassis
Tel.: +49 7223 941-5974
E-Mail: steffen.nielaender@schaeffler.com

SOURCE: Schaeffler