Working together for seamless, out-of-box software updates in construction machinery
Manuela Kessler05.04.2025Lohr am Main / Germany | PI 024/25
Bosch Rexroth and Trackunit enter into strategic partnership
As part of their strategic partnership, Bosch Rexroth and Trackunit want to work together to make construction machinery more future proof. For example, service is to be simplified through over-the-air updates (OTA). (Image source: Bosch Rexroth AG)
Bosch Rexroth and Trackunit forge a strategic partnership to combine BODAS Connect OTA expertise with the Trackunit ecosystem. The collaboration will enable dynamic functional enhancements of construction machinery, simplify service through over-the-air updates (OTA), further improve user experience and operational efficiency.
The increasing digitalization of mobile machines opens many new design possibilities, but at the same time increases the complexity for machine manufacturers. As part of the strategic partnership between Bosch Rexroth and Trackunit, machine functionalities are to be developed and expanded dynamically in the future and the servicing of construction machinery simplified. "Bosch Rexroth and Trackunit are both highly regarded by machine manufacturers for our innovations, product quality, and unwavering focus on cybersecurity," said Dr. Alexander Flaig, Senior Vice President Engineering, Business Unit Mobile Solutions, Bosch Rexroth AG. "With this collaboration, we pursue our aim to transform mobile machines and equip the industry with smart hydraulics and machine controls that can continuously be updated remotely to the latest innovation level.”
As part of the collaboration, Bosch Rexroth will harness its well-established Over-The-Air Update technology of the IoT and telematics offering BODAS Connect and offer it additionally also into the Trackunit IrisX platform. This allows machine manufacturers to perform remote diagnostics & software updates to Bosch Rexroth's comprehensive product and solution portfolio for mobile machinery, including the BODAS ecosystem, directly via the Trackunit Manager. Machine manufacturers thus benefit from an intuitive and simpler implementation of over-the-air updates. Machine functionalities can be continuously expanded and improved. At the same time, the new range of solutions allows devices to be maintained more effectively, and machine downtimes and on-site service can be reduced significantly.
Into a digital future with cyber security
The Cyber Resilience Act (CRA), which has come into force at the end of 2024, mandates manufacturers to develop products with digital components with robust cybersecurity measures and capable of receiving updates. The construction machinery industry is therefore also faced with the task of designing its digital products to be secure and future-proof. Bosch Rexroth has continuously cybersecurity and data privacy into its BODAS Connect IoT and telematics offering, including the well-established BODAS Connect OTA Update Platform. By now leveraging these advanced capabilities and integrating them into the Trackunit IrisX ecosystem, machine manufacturers will be able to ensure compliance with the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) more quickly and easily, so that their machinery not only meets regulatory requirements but also operates securely in an increasingly digital landscape.
BODAS Connect IoT and telematics offering
With BODAS Connect, Bosch Rexroth offers a comprehensive range of modular end-to-end connectivity solutions for data transmission to and from mobile machines. The device management and data management services are decoupled from each other and can therefore be freely selected and combined by the machine manufacturer. In this context, Bosch Rexroth also offers over-the-air (OTA) services for fleet updates. With the BODAS Connect Universal Flasher module, third-party control units can even be flashed in mixed E/E environments.
Trackunit
Trackunit is a global technology company that connects construction through one platform to create a living, evolving ecosystem that delivers data and insights to the off-highway sector. With circa 3.5 million visible assets connected, it uses technology to eliminate downtime, improve safety, and help customers improve the bottom line in a sustainable, cost-effective way.
As one of the world’s leading suppliers of drive and control technologies, Bosch Rexroth ensures efficient, powerful and safe movement in machines and systems of any size. The company bundles global application experience in the market segments of Mobile and Industrial Applications as well as Factory Automation. With its intelligent components, customized system solutions, engineering and services, Bosch Rexroth is creating the necessary environment for fully connected applications. Bosch Rexroth offers its customers hydraulics, electric drive and control technology, gear technology and linear motion and assembly technology, including software and interfaces to the Internet of Things. With locations in over 80 countries, around 33,800 associates generated sales revenue of 7.6 billion euros in 2023.
Basic Information Bosch
The Bosch Group is a leading global supplier of technology and services. It employs roughly 417,900 associates worldwide (as of December 31, 2024). According to preliminary figures, the company generated sales of 90.5 billion euros in 2024. Its operations are divided into four business sectors: Mobility, Industrial Technology, Consumer Goods, and Energy and Building Technology. With its business activities, the company aims to use technology to help shape universal trends such as automation, electrification, digitalization, connectivity, and an orientation to sustainability. In this context, Bosch’s broad diversification across regions and industries strengthens its innovativeness and robustness. Bosch uses its proven expertise in sensor technology, software, and services to offer customers cross-domain solutions from a single source. It also applies its expertise in connectivity and artificial intelligence in order to develop and manufacture user-friendly, sustainable products. With technology that is “Invented for life,” Bosch wants to help improve quality of life and conserve natural resources. The Bosch Group comprises Robert Bosch GmbH and its roughly 470 subsidiary and regional companies in over 60 countries. Including sales and service partners, Bosch’s global manufacturing, engineering, and sales network covers nearly every country in the world. Bosch’s innovative strength is key to the company’s further development. At 136 locations across the globe, Bosch employs some 86,900 associates in research and development, of which nearly 48,000 are software engineers.
Bosch Rexroth is expanding its BODAS ecosystem for the needs-based development of future-proof off-highway machines with additional tools, hardware, telematics and software modules. In addition to the myBODAS virtual collaboration platform, the BODAS-studio development environment shortens the time-to-market for innovative applications.
With the A36VM, Bosch Rexroth presents an axial piston variable motor which is optimized for drivetrains. An increased swiveling range and a maximum pressure of 530 bar make mobile machines more efficient and quicker.
