Episode 234: Bosch President Paul Thomas
About this episode
Paul Thomas, president of Bosch North America, discusses the company's pivotal role in the automotive and technology sectors during a conversation at CES 2026. He highlights Bosch's transition from traditional manufacturing to integrating AI and software into their products, emphasizing the importance of reliability and trust in technology. The discussion covers innovations like AI-based cockpits and vehicle motion management, as well as Bosch's commitment to sustainability and efficiency. Thomas also reflects on the challenges and opportunities in the evolving automotive landscape, including the future of autonomous vehicles and the significance of brand recognition in North America.
Bosch President Paul Thomas
Bosch
"Very few companies operate more deeply inside that invisible layer of the modern world than Bosch. Bosch touches nearly everything that moves, everything that's manufactured, and increasingly, all that's intelligent."
Bosch is a big company that makes parts and systems for cars and other machines. They help improve safety and technology in vehicles.
Bosch is a global engineering and technology company known for its work in automotive components, industrial technology, consumer goods, and energy and building technology. In the automotive sector, Bosch is a leader in developing advanced systems and components that enhance vehicle safety and efficiency.
autonomous control
"Which means Bosch also sits at the center of some of the most important transitions of our time. The shift from mechanical systems to digital ones, from human control to assisted and autonomous control, from linear manufacturing"
Autonomous control means that a vehicle can drive itself without needing a person to steer or make decisions. It's like having a robot driver that uses technology to understand the road.
Autonomous control refers to systems in vehicles that allow them to operate without human intervention. This includes technologies like self-driving cars, which use sensors and algorithms to navigate and make decisions on the road.
SYNC
"...Microsoft got together with Ford and they talked about SYNC, Mark Fields, former head of North America at the time was introducing some of the revolutionary additions to the vehicle."
SYNC is a system in Ford cars that lets you use your voice to control things like music and navigation. It's like having a personal assistant in your car.
SYNC is a voice-activated in-car communication and entertainment system developed by Ford in collaboration with Microsoft. It allows drivers to control various functions of the vehicle, such as navigation and music, using voice commands.
autonomous vehicles
"Las Vegas this week, you see a lot of autonomous vehicles. Advertise, you can scan them and get rides, pretty significant, pretty easily now."
Autonomous vehicles are cars that can drive on their own without needing a person to control them. They use technology to see their surroundings and make decisions while driving.
Autonomous vehicles are cars that can drive themselves without human intervention, using a combination of sensors, cameras, and artificial intelligence to navigate and make decisions on the road.
smart cockpit
"I think that there's a lot of trust in when you show them what the car or what the vehicle is seeing, what the smart cockpit is providing."
A smart cockpit is the part of a car where the driver sits, equipped with advanced technology like touchscreens and voice commands to make driving easier and more enjoyable.
A smart cockpit refers to the advanced technology and interfaces within a vehicle that enhance the driving experience, often including touchscreens, voice recognition, and connectivity features.
vehicle motion management
"you're also showing vehicle motion management, which is it controls a vehicle across six degrees of freedom, if you will, to reduce motion sickness, improve ride quality."
Vehicle motion management is a system in cars that helps control how the car moves to make the ride smoother and more comfortable for passengers.
Vehicle motion management is a technology that helps control a car's movements to enhance comfort and reduce issues like motion sickness for passengers.
six degrees of freedom
"which is it controls a vehicle across six degrees of freedom, if you will, to reduce motion sickness, improve ride quality."
Six degrees of freedom means a vehicle can move in all directions: it can go up and down, side to side, and forward and backward, plus it can tilt and turn. This helps make rides smoother.
Six degrees of freedom refers to the ability to move in three-dimensional space: up/down, left/right, forward/backward, and to rotate around three axes. It's important for technologies that enhance vehicle stability and comfort.
dampers
"...the steering feel or the braking feel was all based upon certain dampers and hardware and speed of control. And if you had a great calibration engineer..."
Dampers are parts of a car's suspension that help smooth out the ride. They control how the car moves over bumps and keep it stable.
Dampers, also known as shock absorbers, are components of a vehicle's suspension system that help control the movement of the springs and reduce the impact of bumps and vibrations on the ride quality.
braking components
"...you just have to spend a lot of money on what type of braking components you need. Exactly. Like I want the car to stop this fast..."
Braking components are the parts that help a car slow down or stop. This includes things like brake pads and discs that work together to make the car safe.
Braking components refer to the various parts of a vehicle's braking system, including brake pads, rotors, calipers, and lines, which work together to slow down or stop the vehicle.
suspension
"...And even when you get into the suspension side, do you want it lower? Do you want it higher? How does the"
The suspension is the system in a car that helps it ride smoothly over bumps and keeps the tires on the ground for better control.
The suspension system of a vehicle is designed to support the weight of the vehicle, absorb shocks from the road, and maintain tire contact with the road for better handling and comfort.
brake by wire
"...with the steer by wire and brake by wire technologies where you can now really, you can touch everything the vehicle is doing..."
Brake by wire means that the brakes are controlled electronically rather than with fluid and mechanical parts. This can make the brakes respond faster and more efficiently.
Brake by wire technology uses electronic controls to operate the braking system instead of traditional hydraulic systems. This can improve responsiveness and allow for features like regenerative braking.
steer by wire
"...with the steer by wire and brake by wire technologies where you can now really, you can touch everything the vehicle is doing..."
Steer by wire means that instead of using physical connections to steer the car, it uses electronic signals. This can make steering more precise and allow for new features.
Steer by wire technology replaces traditional mechanical linkages between the steering wheel and the wheels with electronic controls. This allows for more precise steering inputs and the potential for advanced features like variable steering ratios.
software-defined vehicles
"...is by wire the unsung enabler of software-defined vehicles? I think that it opens up other possibilities..."
Software-defined vehicles are cars that use a lot of computer software to control how they work. This means they can get new features and improvements through updates, just like your phone.
Software-defined vehicles are cars that rely heavily on software to control various functions, from infotainment to driving dynamics. This allows for updates and new features to be added over time through software updates.
redundancy
"...On the braking side, there's redundancy and other topics you can have with brake by wire..."
Redundancy in cars means having backup systems to keep things safe. For example, if one part of the braking system fails, there are other parts that can still help stop the car.
In automotive design, redundancy refers to having backup systems in place to ensure safety and reliability. For example, brake by wire systems may include multiple electronic pathways to ensure that if one fails, the brakes can still function.
Kodiak AI
"...you've announced a deep partnership with Kodiak AI around redundant platforms for autonomous trucks..."
Kodiak AI is a company that works on self-driving technology for trucks. They create systems that help trucks drive themselves, which can make them safer and more efficient.
Kodiak AI is a technology company focused on developing autonomous vehicle solutions, particularly for the trucking industry. Their work involves creating systems that enable trucks to operate without human drivers, improving efficiency and safety.
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