ZF introduces City Bus Assist for a smarter bus stop approach

City Bus Assist signals ZF’s intention to sell integrated system intelligence to bus operators, not individual components. ZF presented City Bus Assist, a proof-of-concept system combining automatic steering assistance and coordinated suspension kneeling control, at the CV Technology Day ahead of the IAA Transport 2026 in Hannover. The technology automatically lowers the suspension to reduce boarding step clearance and improve passenger access while accurately guiding buses towards the curb as they approach stops. Perception sensors manage the vehicle’s lateral position during approach, minimizing tire friction and maintaining a consistent line relative to the pavement. ZF introduced the system at CV Tech Day, a press event held ahead of the Hanover trade fair in September. The firm introduced City Bus Assist as part of a broader strategy to integrate advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), chassis control and software into a unified capability for urban bus operations. However, three more technologies were presented. City Bus CMS is a collision mitigation system (CMS) currently used in production by bus OEMs that detects vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians and initiates braking when necessary. The CDC Skyhook adapts suspension damping in real time to balance ride comfort, while the e-comp Scroll is a low-noise, oil-free electric air compressor that supports braking and suspension with reduced maintenance. Ivan Brajdic, Head of R&D for the Commercial Vehicle Solutions Division, said ZF’s aim is to “create connected system intelligence between advanced driver assistance systems, chassis control systems and software functions”, supporting drivers in critical urban situations while improving passenger accessibility and enabling more efficient fleet operation.