Connectivity

Technological advances in both hardware and software components have increased their strategic value in automotive. Moving away from a purely mechanical industry, where the expertise and intellectual property of traditional OEMs reside, electronics and software are becoming key assets. Consistent with this, Wards Intelligence is observing an evident trend at various levels of the automotive supply chain: strategically increasing the value of goods developed in-house through vertical integration, hence increasing control and margins while also reducing costs.

The growth of electric vehicles and environmental concerns worldwide is creating demand for more sustainable interior materials and also unseen materials such as sound insulation.

As the industry moves to software-defined vehicles there is a requirement for next-generation connectivity to keep vehicles updated and constantly protected against cybersecurity threats.

The push for sustainable interior materials is not new, but Sage Automotive Interiors’ Julie Jacobs says consumer demand is fueling the growing scope and seriousness of the efforts, especially among the rising tide of younger, environmentally conscious consumers who care deeply about how the vehicles they buy are made.

The TM technology uses crowd-sourced data about road conditions to alert drivers to potential hazards before they encounter them. Pairing it with Nexteer’s electric-power-steering systems is increasing its chances for widespread deployment.

Wireless communication is the technology that underpins and enables not only the connected car but also the shared mobility and AV  business opportunity.

In this brief article, I will present an overview of next-generation vehicle platforms around the world.

The new NHTSA AV rules clear the way for commercial low-speed robotaxis like the Cruise Origin and Zoox vehicles, but it does not mean personal vehicles without steering wheels are coming soon to dealer showrooms

Beyond the concept cars and the sweeping strategy statements there was a plethora of innovative ideas, new technologies and applications at CES 2022. As standalone concepts they are exciting but, more significantly, they are converging to shape the broader mobility space, including automotive. New players and strategic partnerships are emerging with significant implications for the future structure of the industry and the relevance of existing business models. This session will curate the key announcements and create a framework to help understand the future dynamics of the industry.

Automakers can’t afford to invent everything from scratch if they want to get SDVs on the market by mid-decade. ETAS is focused on supplying the basic software building blocks that will allow OEMs to meet their objectives.

The software transfers critical sensor data from the car to the cloud, where it can be accessed by the OEM, its suppliers and service providers, as well as smartphone apps that communicate directly with the vehicle owner.

Across the automotive supply chain, software-defined architectures appear to be following a clear path to ensure future-proof vehicles. With software architectures disrupting the traditional hardware-based automotive industry, progress in semiconductor component development is essential to consolidate and achieve the desired system simplification and cost effectiveness for the mobility industry of the future.