Connectivity

Next-generation E/E architectures will create new business models for automakers and suppliers. But a Wards Intelligence survey shows few see themselves as pacesetters, and there’s some uncertainty about where the best monetization opportunities are. The massive change in operations, and the associated costs, will put constraints on the timeframe and depth of the changes in infrastructure and vehicle architectures that OEMs will be able to address.

“Cockpit of the future” stirs images of giant pillar-to-pillar screens and lavish immersive user experiences. Those are coming in ultra-premium luxury EVs as soon as this year, but in the world of high-volume personal vehicles and commercial trucks, there will be many different cockpits of the future, delineated by purpose, segments and price. Many won’t have screens at all; they will be BYOD (Bring Your Own Device).

A consequence of a software defined environment, driven by data, is that process digitalization and model engineering are becoming essential assets at various levels in the automotive industry: from the vehicles to OEMs´ back-end and the mobility infrastructure.

 A look at the evolution to the software-defined vehicle and its impact on electrical/electronic architectures.

Lately, cybersecurity has dramatically grown in importance in the automotive industry, although in Wards´ opinion it has not been properly addressed yet. In the past 5 years, the several “accidents,” where hackers have been able to take full, or partial, control of vehicles´ functions, are an evident and worrying indicator.

Glenn Sanders, Principal Analyst-Autonomous Vehicles at Wards Intelligence, will cut through the hype on where the industry stands with autonomous-vehicle development and the likely path ahead for commercialization, and Luca DeAmbroggi, Chief Analyst-Technologies and E/E Architectures at Wards Intelligence will discuss the transformation to the Software Defined Vehicle that’s required to make it all happen.

The adoption of new ADAS – and ultimately fully autonomous – features is requiring faster communication between sensors, GPS and the cloud, driving automakers toward 5G communication. Upcoming BEVs, many incorporating all-new software-defined electronics architectures, are at the forefront of the transition.

Across the supply chain, software-defined approaches appear to be the clear path to ensure flexible and future-proof architectures. In the past five years, we have observed that software has dramatically developed in new and disruptive directions, enabled by the advancement of artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms which are strongly depending on high-quality data.

Lexus says goodbye to Remote Touch and “Hey/Hi/Hello” to Interface, after its standing in third-party surveys takes a hit.

The all-new Defender has more off-road prowess than most people need, but the equally impressive technology makes daily use of the vehicle more convenient.

The software revolution in the automotive industry not only is impacting the vehicle itself, but also is triggering a chain reaction that resonates back to the OEMs, significantly affecting their operating processes and future strategies.

Electrification and autonomy are transforming vehicle cabins, but not as fast as thought during the heady days of 2015. This special report looks at what's likely in the transformation of vehicle cockpits over the next few years and how safety considerations are helping to drive design.