Bosch operates as a global technology and services supplier with approximately 418,000 employees worldwide, organized across four primary business areas: mobility, industrial technology, consumer goods, and energy and building technology. Founded in 1886 when Robert Bosch opened a workshop in Stuttgart, the company has evolved into a diversified engineering organization that applies sensor technology, software, and connectivity capabilities to challenges spanning electrification, digitalization, and sustainability.
The company's technical work ranges from sensors for automated driving systems to power tools for consumer markets and smart home systems designed for energy efficiency. Its stated approach centers on solving practical problems rather than technology development for its own sake, reflected in its "Invented for life" positioning. This philosophy extends across research and development teams as well as manufacturing operations, with quality and reliability forming core operational commitments.
Under CEO Stefan Hartung, Bosch maintains its headquarters in Germany while operating on a global scale. The organization's structure balances hardware engineering and manufacturing - evident in its power tools business - with digital capabilities in software and connectivity. Its technical domains include automated-driving sensors, smart home systems, and industrial technology applications, positioning the company at the intersection of traditional manufacturing expertise and digital transformation across multiple industry verticals.