Bosch wants to limit the danger of electric shock in an EV collision with small explosions

Bosch has created a system that creates small explosions when an electric car collides. Those explosions are intended to cut off the cable connection to the battery, which should reduce the risk of electric shock or fire.

Bosch calls this system the pyrotechnical safety switch system, or pyrofuse for short. The system consists of microchips that ensure that the battery is automatically disconnected, so that no one should come into contact with components that are electrically charged. The chips set off small explosions that blow up sections of the cable connection. According to Bosch, this closes the power circulation quickly and effectively.

According to the manufacturer, the microchips play a crucial role in this system. If a sensor registers an impact, the ignition is immediately activated. This should reduce the problem of damaged cables due to an accident. According to Bosch, car batteries are designed for a voltage of 400 to 800 volts and the charge can end up in the metalwork in a collision of a hybrid or electric car. This poses a risk not only to occupants, but also to rescuers and firefighters.

The chips are asics, or application specific integrated circuits. These are specifically intended for a single task and therefore less flexible than regular chips. However, because they are optimized for certain types of math, they can be more economical and faster. Bosch originally developed the specific chip, the CG912, for deploying airbags.