Automotive Technology Insight | Forecasts | Industry News

SiC technology — key to BYD's 5-minute EV charging breakthrough

The ability to charge an electric vehicle to a 400-km range in just 5 minutes represents a significant shift in EV technology with advanced semiconductor technology. BYD's Super e Platform achieved this through its newly developed car-grade silicon carbide (SiC) power chips. These chips are rated for 1,500-V operation, essential for supporting the platform's 1,000-V architecture and enabling megawatt-level charging capabilities. While Ron (on-resistance) is a critical factor in evaluating SiC...

Is BYD’s new platform the technological inflection point EVs need?

The adoption of electric vehicles has not progressed as smoothly as anticipated five years ago. Many have questioned whether the transition to EVs is beneficial, as concerns about their practicality in everyday use persist, despite the advantage of zero tailpipe emissions. According to the S&P Global Mobility consumer survey conducted in 2024, primary concerns include the availability of charging stations, long charging times and the range on a single charge. Nearly half of the respondent...

DeepSeek—So far so good, but can it weather the restricted chip access storm?

AI is now a necessity in the automotive industry. From autonomous driving systems that promise seamless travel to in-cabin technologies that personalize our journeys, AI has become a catalyst for accelerating the integration of new revolutionary technologies into vehicles. Until recently, there had been a prevailing notion that developing leading-edge large language models (LLMs) require significant technical and financial resources. That notion, however, stands disrupted now by a Chine...

How software-defined vehicles are shifting gears: Insights from Valeo Brain's CTO

The emergence of software-defined vehicles (SDVs) is transforming the automotive industry by integrating advanced technologies, enhancing connectivity, and redefining the relationships between original equipment manufacturers and suppliers. SDVs leverage software to provide enhanced driving automation and improved user experiences, facilitated by advanced driver assistance systems and innovative vehicle interiors. The increasing reliance on data sharing between OEMs and suppliers is paramount, a...

How AI is powering the next generation of vehicles

AI is now a necessity in the automotive industry. From autonomous driving systems that promise seamless travel to in-cabin technologies that personalize our journeys, AI is a catalyst for change. Insights from S&P Global Mobility’s 2025 Supplier Outlook highlight how AI can change vehicles and the entire automotive ecosystem. By analyzing user behaviors, AI can adjust settings and keep track of driver alertness, moving maintenance from a reactive to a proactive approach. This enhances f...

Karma Automotive-Intel partnership: Looking to break the siloes in SDV development

Among the many product unveilings and demonstrations held at the CES 2025 last month, an important announcement was made in the realm of software-defined vehicles (SDV) when Karma Automotive announced a collaboration with Intel Corporation for joint development of an SDV architecture that is expected to underpin Karma’s future electric vehicle models. First to potentially utilize the new architecture will be the Karman Kaveya super coupe, due out in 2026, followed by the production version of ...

CES 2025: SDVs in focus as the industry pivots towards software

Vehicles and cities are getting smarter and more connected than ever. As stakeholders across the mobility and industrial ecosystem rewire to become software-enabled enterprises, the concept of software-defined vehicles or SDVs has gained much attention. The recently concluded Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas bore a testament to this. The software-defined vehicle was one of the buzzwords at the annual event this year, which lived up to its promise of being a proving ground for brea...

How AI is shaping the future of mobility — Interview with Elektrobit

The automotive industry is undergoing a significant transformation through the integration of AI technologies. AI is being leveraged to enhance various aspects of vehicle performance, safety and user experience. One of the most prominent applications is in the development of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), which utilize machine learning algorithms to improve safety features such as adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance and collision avoidance. These systems analyze vast amo...

How AI is shaping the future of mobility - Interview with Ansys

The automotive industry is increasingly using artificial intelligence to enhance various aspects of vehicle design, production and user experience. AI technologies are proving essential in streamlining processes, improving safety and enabling new business models, ultimately shaping the future of mobility. One of the most significant applications of AI in automotive design is in simulation processes. Traditionally, simulations can take days to complete, but AI-driven tools are reducing this ti...

How AI is shaping the future of mobility - Interview with Yanfeng

The automotive industry is increasingly leveraging artificial intelligence to enhance efficiency and improve customer experiences. Manufacturers are using AI for supply chain optimization, predictive analytics, and safety enhancements in advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). AI is also transforming customer interactions through personalized services and intelligent virtual assistants, while predictive maintenance helps ensure timely vehicle servicing. As the industry faces challenges like r...

How AI is shaping the future of mobility — interview with DXC Technology

The automotive industry is experiencing a profound transformation as it increasingly integrates AI into its operations, fundamentally altering how manufacturers engage with consumers and streamline processes. This shift is not merely about enhancing efficiency; it reflects a broader strategy to redefine the mobility landscape in response to evolving market demands. AI technologies are being deployed across various dimensions of the automotive sector, from supply chain optimization to predicti...

Talking Heads: Looking forward to 2025 - Key themes

As we approach the end of 2024, our Talking Heads series delves into conversations with the practice leads at AutoTechInsight. The aim is to explore the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in their respective domains. In 2024, the automotive sector faced a series of challenges that tested its adaptability. Supply chain disruptions, coupled with declining raw material costs like lithium, added to these difficulties. Amidst these challenges, manufacturers began pivoting toward plug-in h...

Interview: KPIT’s approach to streamlining software integration in the automotive sector

KPIT is an Indian-headquartered company best described as a software integrator solely focused on automotive. Its 13,000 employees provide services, solutions and products on a worldwide basis. KPIT is supporting six original equipment manufacturers in North America, Europe and Japan in its software-defined vehicle (SDV) journey from defining the electrical/electronic (E/E) architecture to the development of domains such as advanced driver assistance systems, powertrain and connected vehicles. W...

insights
Supply Chain
21-Oct-2024

Talking Heads: Disconnected vehicles

The US Commerce Department issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on Monday (Sept. 23) which, if approved, would ban the sale or import of vehicles that incorporate connectivity technologies plus systems incorporating prohibited hardware and software from countries of concern, specifically mainland China and Russia. The NPRM follows a process initiated by President Joe Biden in February and is based on public feedback to an earlier notice issued by the Commerce Department, which sought to...

Volvo Cars embraces new consolidated EV technology approach

Thanks to the arrival of software-defined vehicles (SDVs), automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are rethinking their traditional approaches to vehicle design and development. Their focus is shifting toward software and hardware lifecycle innovations and accelerating time-to-market, necessitating enhanced collaboration and integration of practices from other industries. SDVs are enabling these OEMs to deliver backward-compatible features and timely software updates over-the-air, imp...

Embracing the shift to software-defined vehicles: Interview with Elektrobit

The software-defined vehicle (SDV) is a new buzz phrase in the car industry. It refers to vehicles that can enhance their capabilities through software updates, eliminating the need for physical part replacements. SDVs use software to govern operations, incorporate new features, and facilitate the integration of novel functionalities. This concept marks an advancement in the automotive industry, laying the foundation for autonomous driving and vehicle connectivity technologies. To learn more,...

Embracing Digital Twins in the Automotive Industry: Interview with PTC

A digital twin (DT) is a virtual replica of a physical asset that uses real-world data and models to improve operations and aid in decision-making. It incorporates real-time and historical data, as well as engineering, simulation and machine learning models. By creating a digital twin, the automotive industry can gain insights into the performance and behavior of physical assets, optimize operations and make more informed decisions. The use of DTs in the automotive industry is expected to bec...

Tech innovators in the auto space: Interview with Baidu AI Cloud

The emergence of software-defined vehicles (SDVs) represents a seismic shift in the automotive industry and the broader mobility ecosystem. SDVs go beyond being traditional vehicles and function as platforms for connectivity, data generation, personalization and monetization. They have the potential to disrupt established business models, drive innovation and reshape our perception of vehicles. SDVs have implications that extend beyond the automotive sector, impacting public transportation, city...

Embracing Digital Twins in the Automotive Industry: Interview with IBM

A digital twin (DT) is a virtual replica of a physical asset that uses real-world data and models to improve operations and aid in decision-making. It incorporates real-time and historical data, as well as engineering, simulation and machine-learning models. By creating a DT, the automotive industry can gain insights into the performance and behavior of physical assets, optimize operations and make more informed decisions. The use of DTs in the automotive industry should become more widesprea...

Embracing Digital Twins in the Automotive Industry: Interview with Ansys

A digital twin (DT) is a virtual replica of a physical asset that uses real-world data and models to improve operations and aid in decision-making. It incorporates real-time and historical data, as well as engineering, simulation and machine learning models. By creating a digital twin, the automotive industry can gain insights into the performance and behavior of physical assets, optimize operations and make more informed decisions. The use of DTs in the automotive industry is expected to bec...

Embracing Digital Twins in the Automotive Industry: Interview with Digiflec

A digital twin (DT) is a virtual replica of a physical asset that uses real-world data and models to improve operations and aid in decision-making. It incorporates real-time and historical data, as well as engineering, simulation, and machine learning models. By creating a digital twin, the automotive industry can gain insights into the performance and behavior of physical assets, optimize operations and make more informed decisions. The use of DTs in the automotive industry is expected to be...

Embracing Digital Twins in the Automotive Industry: Interview with rFpro

A digital twin (DT) is a virtual replica of a physical asset that uses real-world data and models to improve operations and aid in decision-making. It incorporates real-time and historical data, as well as engineering, simulation, and machine learning models. By creating a digital twin, the automotive industry can gain insights into the performance and behavior of physical assets, optimize operations and make more informed decisions. The use of DTs in the automotive industry is expected to be...

Embracing Digital Twins in the Automotive Industry: Interview with ABB Robotics

A digital twin (DT) is a virtual replica of a physical asset that uses real-world data and models to improve operations and aid in decision-making. It incorporates real-time and historical data, as well as engineering, simulation, and machine learning models. By creating a digital twin, the automotive industry can gain insights into the performance and behavior of physical assets, optimize operations and make more informed decisions. The use of DTs in the automotive industry is expected to be...

Embracing the shift to software-defined vehicles: Q&A with Red Hat

The software-defined vehicle (SDV) is a new buzz phrase in the car industry. It refers to vehicles that can enhance their capabilities through software updates, eliminating the need for physical part replacements. SDVs use software to govern operations, incorporate new features, and facilitate the integration of novel functionalities. This concept marks an advancement in the automotive industry, laying the foundation for autonomous driving and vehicle connectivity technologies. To learn more,...

Tech innovators in the auto space: Interview with Lenovo VP of vehicle computing

Key takeaways: Collaboration between the technology and automotive industries is paramount for mutual learning and advancement. In the next 5-10 years, the ability to learn quickly and effectively from each other will be the key to success. It is not a competition, but a collaborative effort to leverage strengths and drive innovation. Large language models have the potential to revolutionize the automotive industry by enhancing the driving experience and improving productivity for automa...

Software-defined vehicles: Interview with Stellantis chief software officer

Key takeaways: The shift to centralized computing is disrupting the business models of many players in the industry, including tier 1 suppliers who are now considering licensing software to car manufacturers for use on the centralized computer. This change in mindset and business approach within the industry has been noticeable over the past three years. Stellantis has made the decision to insource a significant portion of its software development to increase efficiency and have greater ...

insights
Supply Chain
31-Jul-2024

Cloud computing use cases for automotive - raining innovation

Thanks to the proverbial software-defined vehicle (SDV) that is helping the industry realize the buzz around CASE (connectivity, autonomy, shared mobility, electrification) megatrends, data flowing out of vehicle ecosystems have spiraled out of control. To put things into perspective, a typical connected vehicle can generate nearly 25 GB of data per hour and collect information from more than 100 different datapoints, thanks to embedded features including geolocation and navigation, companion ap...

The shift to software-defined vehicles: Valeo China interview

Software-defined vehicles (SDVs) govern operations, integrate new features and facilitate the addition of novel functionalities through software. This advancement in the automotive industry is paving the way for autonomous driving and vehicle connectivity technologies. SDVs are evolving through the separation of software and hardware development, similar to smartphones. Original equipment manufacturers are creating "walled gardens" for applications, which involve continuous agile software dev...

Volkswagen – Rivian deal: VW gets E/E architecture, Rivian gets capital and scale

On June 25, Volkswagen Group and US-based electric carmaker Rivian Automotive announced their plan to set up an equal joint venture company that will focus on developing the next-generation electrical and electronic (E/E) architecture and software solutions that will be central to upcoming electric vehicles from both the carmakers. The strategic partnership also entails Volkswagen’s plan to invest $5 billion in Rivian, starting with an initial investment of $1 billion through an unsecured c...

Tech innovators in the auto space: Q&A with Tencent

Mainland China's complex road systems, megacities, dense populations, and unique traffic behaviors present challenges for autonomous driving technology development. However, the country also offers rich scenarios, abundant data, and numerous rare and unexpected corner cases that are crucial for the safe and effective evolution of autonomous driving. The Gen-X demographic in mainland China, a significant portion of whom plan to purchase cars with Level 2+ driver assistance functions, provides ide...

The shift to software-defined vehicles: Q&A with NIO

Software-defined vehicles (SDVs) use software to govern operations, incorporate new features and facilitate the integration of novel functionalities. This concept marks an advancement in the automotive industry, laying the foundation for autonomous driving and vehicle connectivity technologies. The evolution of SDVs entails separating software and hardware development, like smartphones. Original equipment manufacturers are establishing “walled gardens” for applications. This shift encompa...

The shift to software-defined vehicles: Q&A with Iflytek

Software-defined vehicles (SDVs) use software to govern operations, incorporate new features and facilitate the integration of novel functionalities. This concept marks an advancement in the automotive industry, laying the foundation for autonomous driving and vehicle connectivity technologies. The evolution of SDVs entails separating software and hardware development, such as smartphones. Original equipment manufacturers are establishing “walled gardens” for applications. This shift enco...

Software-defined vehicles: An identity crisis for the industry?

We are entering an era where vehicles will be defined by their software. Think of that statement. In isolation, it says a lot. Throughout the past hundred years or so, vehicles have largely been defined by their brand. Alfred Sloan built a whole company on this principle. Today, Carlos Tavares, with Stellantis, has built a house of brands that appeal to different parts of the market with varying degrees of overlap. The brand of car we drove defined who we were as people. Driving a Volvo defined ...

The shift to software-defined vehicles: Q&A with KPIT Technologies

Software-defined vehicles (SDVs) use software to govern operations, incorporate new features and facilitate the integration of novel functionalities. This concept marks an advancement in the automotive industry, laying the foundation for autonomous driving and vehicle connectivity technologies. The evolution of SDVs entails separating software and hardware development, like smartphones. Original equipment manufacturers are establishing “walled gardens” for applications. This shift encompa...

The shift to software-defined vehicles: Foryou General Electronics interview

Software-defined vehicles (SDVs) govern operations, integrate new features and facilitate the addition of novel functionalities through software. This advancement in the automotive industry is paving the way for autonomous driving and vehicle connectivity technologies. SDVs are evolving through the separation of software and hardware development, similar to smartphones. Original equipment manufacturers are creating "walled gardens" for applications, which involves continuous agile software de...

INTERVIEW: Mobileye’s vision for software-defined vehicles

In this S&P Global Mobility interview, Mobileye executives discuss the transformations in Software-Defined Vehicles (SDVs) and the impact on vehicle operations. We learn more about how data from automated driving systems underpins live graphics in vehicle visualization, creating advanced alerts for vehicle operators and adding a second layer of defense to collision avoidance applications. The challenges in SDV design are also discussed, with the company highlighting its work with original eq...

The shift to software-defined vehicles: Q&A with Elektrobit

Software-defined vehicles (SDVs) use software to govern operations, incorporate new features, and facilitate the integration of novel functionalities. This concept marks an advancement in the automotive industry, laying the foundation for autonomous driving and vehicle connectivity technologies. The evolution of SDVs entails separating software and hardware development, like smartphones. OEMs are establishing “walled gardens” for applications. This shift encompasses continuous agile softw...

The shift to software-defined vehicles: Q&A with DXC Technology

Software-defined vehicles (SDVs) use software to govern operations, incorporate new features, and facilitate the integration of novel functionalities. This concept marks an advancement in the automotive industry, laying the foundation for autonomous driving and vehicle connectivity technologies. The evolution of SDVs entails separating software and hardware development, like smartphones. OEMs are establishing “walled gardens” for applications. This shift encompasses continuous agile softw...

Cloud and edge computing’s cumulative benefits for SDVs

As part of the shift toward software-defined vehicles (SDVs), automotive cloud computing is a strategic extension of vehicle-embedded systems computing. Original equipment manufacturers are striving for a connected, autonomous, shared and electric future, in which wireless communication between vehicles and the cloud become increasingly prevalent. The goal of an automotive cloud ecosystem is to create an enhanced vehicle experience for users while enabling OEMs and service providers to offer adv...

The shift to software-defined vehicles: Q&A with Nvidia

Software-defined vehicles (SDVs) use software to govern operations, incorporate new features, and facilitate the integration of novel functionalities. This concept marks an advancement in the automotive industry, laying the foundation for autonomous driving and vehicle connectivity technologies. The evolution of SDVs entails separating software and hardware development, like smartphones. OEMs are establishing “walled gardens” for applications. This shift encompasses continuous agile softw...

The shift to software-defined vehicles: Forvia interview

Software-defined vehicles (SDVs) use software to govern operations, incorporate new features, and facilitate the integration of novel functionalities. This concept marks an advancement in the automotive industry, laying the foundation for autonomous driving and vehicle connectivity technologies. The evolution of SDVs entails separating software and hardware development, like smartphones. OEMs are establishing “walled gardens” for applications. This shift encompasses continuous agile softw...

The shift to software-defined vehicles: Q&A with Red Hat

Software-defined vehicles (SDVs) use software to govern operations, incorporate new features, and facilitate the integration of novel functionalities. This concept marks an advancement in the automotive industry, laying the foundation for autonomous driving and vehicle connectivity technologies. The evolution of SDVs entails separating software and hardware development, like smartphones. OEMs are establishing “walled gardens” for applications. This shift encompasses continuous agile softw...

CES 2024 Preview

As we kick off the new year, S&P Global Mobility analysts are covering the anticipated trends to expect at CES 2024 in Las Vegas next week. Our team will be on the ground covering the event, with some daily shared content available via our platforms and channels. Additionally, meetings with the team are available if you’ll be at the show; we’d love to connect. Please reach out to your account representative or mobility@spglobal.com to make arrangements for a meeting. Connected C...

The shift to software-defined vehicles: Q&A with Harman

Software-defined vehicles (SDVs) use software to govern operations, incorporate new features, and facilitate the integration of novel functionalities. This concept marks an advancement in the automotive industry, laying the foundation for autonomous driving and vehicle connectivity technologies. The evolution of SDVs entails separating software and hardware development, like smartphones. OEMs are establishing “walled gardens” for applications. This shift encompasses continuous agile softw...

INTERVIEW: Ethernovia on ethernet communication system for automotive industry

Ethernovia Inc. develops an ethernet system to process the bandwidth demands of the future. It offers a virtual communication solution that enables the software-defined vehicle (SDV) for future automobile communication. The company was incorporated in 2018 and is based in San Jose, California. Earlier this year, Ethernovia closed a $64-million Series A funding round with investors including Porsche SE, Qualcomm Ventures, AMD and Venturetech Alliance. In September, the company announced a p...

insights
Supply Chain
06-Dec-2023

Automotive ‘Hypervisor’ market landscape

The development of automotive hypervisor solutions is being fuelled by an increase in the use of embedded virtualization at the device level to support different operating systems. To support Infotainment multimedia and connected services, as well as safety-critical instrument clusters for electric vehicles and sophisticated safety features with ADAS L0 and L1, primary use cases may be seen in the cockpit domain electronics. Vehicles in the Entry and Mid-Price classes, supported by Chinese OEMs,...

INTERVIEW: Ambarella on electric/electronic architecture migration

The software-defined vehicle architecture is poised to bring about a transformative shift in the automotive industry by facilitating a flexible and adaptable solution for the assimilation of cutting-edge technologies, features and services such as charging infrastructure, predictive maintenance, autonomous driving (AD), connected vehicle, enhanced safety systems, as well as financial technology and blockchain. This necessitates a comprehensive reimagining of the vehicle's electric/electronic (E/...

INTERVIEW: Mobileye on electric/electronic architecture migration

The software-defined vehicle architecture is poised to bring about a transformative shift in the automotive industry by facilitating a flexible and adaptable solution for the assimilation of cutting-edge technologies, features and services such as charging infrastructure, predictive maintenance, autonomous driving, connected vehicle, enhanced safety systems, as well as financial technology and blockchain. This necessitates a comprehensive reimagining of the vehicle electric/electronic (E/E) arch...

Tier 1 suppliers on electric and electronic architecture migration

The software-defined vehicle (SDV) architecture is poised to bring about a transformative shift in the automotive industry by facilitating a flexible and adaptable solution for the assimilation of cutting-edge technologies, features and services, such as charging infrastructure, predictive maintenance, autonomous driving, connected vehicle, enhanced safety systems, as well as financial technology and blockchain. This necessitates a comprehensive reimagining of the vehicle E/E architecture, espec...

INTERVIEW: Aptiv on electric/electronic (E/E) architecture migration

The software-defined vehicle architecture is poised to bring about a transformative shift in the automotive industry by facilitating a flexible and adaptable solution for the assimilation of cutting-edge technologies, features and services, including charging infrastructure, predictive maintenance, autonomous driving, connected vehicles, enhanced safety systems, as well as fintech and blockchain. This necessitates a comprehensive reimagining of the vehicle E/E architecture, especially the softwa...

insights
M&A
28-Aug-2023

Is the vehicle-data brokerage business sustainable?

There is no denying that connected cars generate big data. Data has received increasing attention in the automotive industry over the last five to 10 years, alongside the expansion of connected-vehicle fleets and the digital-services ecosystem. More global players have placed data on the top of their strategic agendas as they prepare to engage in new data-driven business models. Additionally, the software-defined vehicle and its always-on connectivity have made it possible to monetize data and s...

NXP Connects 2023: A glimpse into next-gen automotive semiconductor innovations

NXP Connects is an annual conference organized by tier-1 semiconductor supplier NXP Semiconductors. The conference brings together industry professionals, engineers, designers and technology enthusiasts to explore the latest advancements in the world of semiconductors, embedded systems, and internet of things (IoT) technologies. NXP Connects provided a platform for attendees to gain insights into NXP's cutting-edge products, solutions and technologies. The conference featured keynote presenta...

INTERVIEW: ECARX on electric/electronic (E/E) architecture migration

The software-defined vehicle architecture is poised to bring about a transformative shift in the automotive industry by facilitating a flexible and adaptable solution for the assimilation of cutting-edge technologies, features and services such as charging infrastructure, predictive maintenance, autonomous driving, connected vehicle, enhanced safety systems, as well as financial technology and blockchain. This necessitates a comprehensive reimagining of the vehicle E/E architecture, especially t...

Monetization potential of connected-car data

As soon as a vehicle is connected to the internet, it turns into a hub for an entire ecosystem of connected services driven by data and content generated both inside and outside the car. Depending on how the value of the data changes and what new data become valuable during the coming decades, vehicle-related data segments will continue to hold value for various industries, including automotive. Premium infotainment, feature upgrades and enhancements, service unlocks, premium advanced driver ass...

INTERVIEW: Marelli on electric/electronic (E/E) architecture migration

The software-defined vehicle (SDV) architecture is poised to bring about a transformative shift in the automotive industry by facilitating a flexible and adaptable solution for the assimilation of cutting-edge technologies, features and services, such as charging infrastructure, predictive maintenance, autonomous driving, connected vehicle, enhanced safety systems, as well as financial technology and blockchain. This necessitates a comprehensive reimagining of the vehicle E/E architecture, espec...

INTERVIEW: Over-the-air (OTA) updates and the automotive industry

There has been mainstream market emergence of OTA updates in cars in recent years, primarily precipitated by recall and warranty costs and owing to the rapid development of autonomous cars. With the amount of software per car continuing to grow, the number of software-related recalls is also projected to grow significantly over the next decade, thus rendering OTA updates even more critical. To learn more about how the automotive OTA industry is placed currently and is poised to evolve going ...

OEMs adopt partnership model to develop next-gen connected car solutions

Over decades, global automakers have developed capabilities to efficiently mass-produce cars with just-in-time sourcing parts through a robust and diverse supply chain. This led to an era of high-volume production and a profitable and highly efficient manufacturing industry. This successful model of the modern automotive industry is starting to change as new megatrends such as autonomous driving, connected cars, along with software-defined vehicles and digital technologies become a huge part of ...

INTERVIEW: Continental on electric/electronic (E/E) architecture migration

Original equipment manufacturers are expected to shift to a centralized architecture in an evolutionary manner and in most cases, follow similar steps with only a few variations. According to recent research by S&P Global Mobility, the proportion of vehicles equipped with zonal architecture is anticipated to increase from 2% in 2022 to 38% in 2034, indicating a significant growth in market share over this period. Continuing our series of interviews with tier 1 suppliers about this hot topic,...

INTERVIEW: Veoneer on electric/electronic (E/E) architecture migration

The vehicle architecture is changing from a large distribution of small ECUs with small amounts of processing, memory and control code to a centralized system with fewer, more powerful hardware blocks (domain controllers, center computers) and centralized software code. This supports the software-defined vehicle and manages the increasing traffic caused mainly by sensors for advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS). To learn more and continue our series of interviews with tier-1 suppliers on t...

INTERVIEW: Vitesco Technologies on electric/electronic (E/E) architecture migration

The software-defined vehicle architecture is poised to bring about a transformative shift in the automotive industry by facilitating a flexible and adaptable solution for the assimilation of cutting-edge technologies, features and services like charging infrastructure, predictive maintenance, autonomous driving, connected vehicle, enhanced safety systems, as well as financial technology and blockchain. This necessitates a comprehensive reimagining of the vehicle E/E architecture, especially the ...

Zone controllers expand vehicle networking capability

In vehicle electrical and electronic (E/E) architecture, a zone controller is a type of electronic control unit (ECU) that is responsible for managing and coordinating the various subsystems within a particular area, or "zone," of the vehicle. The zone controller acts as an intermediary between these subsystems and the main vehicle network, facilitating communication and ensuring that the subsystems are working together in a coordinated and efficient manner. This allows for greater flexibility i...

Rethinking the automotive value chain - software's role in revolution

With Level 2+ autonomous vehicles nearing mass-market adoption and the era of the software-defined vehicle fast approaching, a new battle for control is set to emerge. Click the link above to download the full article.

Automakers look to bolster digital revenues

A host of global automakers have revealed how digital services are powering their revenue streams in the recent past, and as the number of such services increases, OEMs expect revenues from such services to be the next big puller of cash. OEMs, including Mercedes-Benz, General Motors (GM) and Stellantis, are putting a lot of thrust into boosting the digital offering that would allow them to expand their revenue pools from these services. As the connected car population continues to grow at a rap...

Talking Heads: Software defined vehicles

Software-defined vehicles (SDVs) have been everywhere these past few months, with the noise reaching a crescendo after the recent CES in Las Vegas. Trouble is, it’s not exactly new. It’s just that the auto industry loves a mega trend or a concept that helps explain everything. And to be fair, SDV does knit together a whole gamut of developments in the industry rather neatly. Click the link above to download the whole article.

Update on Android Automotive OS: Which automakers have bought in?

While Android Automotive is gaining traction in the automotive operating system (OS) market, the key point to look out for will be how many carmakers will subscribe to Google Automotive Services (GAS). The GAS suite provides options for automakers to embed a series of services from Google including Maps, Play Store, and Assistant. GAS is offered through a licensing model to automakers and is built on top of the Android Automotive OS. This updated article looks at the automakers who have already ...

Demand for chips in vehicle lighting industry to stay strong

The ongoing global chip shortage has impacted several industries, including lighting. The shortage has been aggravated by a variety of factors, ranging from changing market dynamics to geopolitical tensions. Shipping delays and shortages of semiconductors used in electronics such as LED drivers have extended lead times and impacted product availability in the lighting industry. This situation has driven several major LED product manufacturers globally to increase prices on LED luminaires and LED...

Centralizing E/E architectures: The key to efficient integrated chassis control

Over the last few years developments in the driving assistance and automation feature market have driven demands for a new generation of automotive controllers that are able to process, analyze, and communicate increasingly large amounts of complex real-time data rapidly, efficiently, and flawlessly. A progressive electronification of vehicle systems, meanwhile, has led to the penetration of by-wire chassis systems equipped with electronic control units (ECUs) that process information fed fro...

Software complexity starting to cost CEOs their job

Complexity in the software has increased to a level where it has become not just difficult to debug and maintain, but it has compounded an OEM’s already difficult situation to comprehend the overall system interactions between various electronic control units (ECUs) and to properly test all the various combinations of features in a car. Most of the software in vehicles is written by suppliers that also use third-party software and work with externals, so the OEM’s control on the result is ve...

Middleware software: The race to develop automotive operating system

Software now underpins virtually all elements of the vehicle, from basic cockpit functions to new safety features and powertrain management systems. The advances in vehicle software architectures and function developments are helping automakers to find new revenue, monetizing parts of the vehicle that in the past might have become quickly outdated. To attain the new software-defined vehicle business goal, the automotive industry has been on a mission to limit the increase in hardware resulting f...

Special Report: Foxconn's preparedness to redefine EV value chain

Taiwan-based Foxconn, formally known as Hon Hai Technology Group, is promoting a new electric vehicle (EV) business model that has the potential to drive extensive collaboration in the industry, reduce research and development (R&D) cost, and shorten the development cycle for new EV products. Over the next five years, Foxconn could emerge as a company that can drive significant changes in EV manufacturing value chain and make the e-mobility landscape more competitive for the established OEMs...

E/E architectures: Move to centralized architecture

Over the coming years, the automotive industry will be significantly affected by the confluence of autonomous driving, electrification, connectivity, and shared mobility. There has been rapid growth in the volume of data flowing in the vehicle, as more cameras, radar, and lidar systems provide huge amounts of raw data for processing either at the edge or for a sensor fusion electronic control unit (ECU). Meanwhile, next-generation infotainment systems become much more sophisticated and exchange ...

A look at highly precise positioning systems for the automotive market

The growth of the autonomous and connected vehicle market has led to the increasing need for high-precision positioning technologies. This is especially important as advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) in Level 3 and Level 4 vehicles need real-time, centimeter-level precision for convenience and safety. “Highly accurate positioning is required for ADAS functionalities such as Lane centering, lane departure warning, lane change assistance, and intelligent speed assistance,” said Fann...