Robert Bosch LLC, part of the global Bosch Group, has opened a new 70,000 ft² technical centre in Plymouth Township, Mich. USA to enhance and expand its engineering and development capacity in North America. The facility features research and development capabilities, as well as engineering space for its automotive electronics, starter motors and generators, and electrical drives divisions.

The new centre is supported by more than 60 engineering and technical lab specialists working on development studies, design verification and production validation test plans. Currently, Bosch engineers a variety of innovative driver assistance technologies at the Plymouth Township Technical Centre, including:

• Intelligent Bolt (iBolt) airbag releasing sensor technology
• Adaptive cruise control (ACC)
• Predictive safety systems (PSS) utilise the sensors and electronic control unit from ACC to recognise emergency braking situations

The Bosch Group generated global sales of €43.7 billion, or $54.9 billion in 2006 of which $8.8 billion was in North America.