Category

Autonomous, Connected, Electric, Shared Vehicles

Sep 25
Edison Baker Electric Car c. 1895

The Car of the Future: Electrified, Connected and Autonomous

By Automotive, Autonomous, Connected, Electric, Shared Vehicles No Comments

The Impact of Vehicle Electrification and Connectivity on Electrical System Design

Industry in Flux

Just over 100 years ago, Henry Ford disrupted the auto industry of the time with the introduction of the mass-production moving assembly line. To say that the auto industry is again in flux is almost cliché.

The confluence of technology and business trends in play is having a profound effect on the future of the mobility industry.

Electrification

Electric propulsion is still in its infancy. Today, less than 5% of vehicles sold in the US use electric propulsion. But consumers recognize the impact of EVs on the environmental. With the introduction of EVs with greater travel range and more affordable purchase price, adoption will accelerate. A survey from AAA shows that 20% of drivers want an electric vehicle and will likely choose an EV for their next vehicle, up from 15% percent in 2017.

Autonomous Driving

The race to achieve fully automated driving is heating up rapidly. Despite many uncertainties concerning technology maturity, regulatory requirements, and market adoption, practically all automakers and major suppliers, as well as scores of small upstart companies, want to take part in this race.

The hope to capitalize on the early waves of commercialization and consumer adoption, and the accompanying boost to the brand lead to an increase of 33% over 5 years in R&D in the automotive sector.

Connectivity

Today’s consumers demand connectivity, sophisticated mobile apps and rich online content. An Autotrader study shows that connectivity has become a major factor in car buying decision, and that 48% of car buyers prioritize in-vehicle technology over brand or body style.

OEMs are now shifting in this direction, adding connectivity and in-vehicle features across their portfolio, including non-premium brands in an effort to better align their offering with the changing market demand, especially of millennial consumers. Read More

Jul 04
Edison Baker Electric Car c. 1895

End of Tax Credit is Looming: Implications for Electric Vehicle Manufacturers

By Automotive, Autonomous, Connected, Electric, Shared Vehicles One Comment

Did you put down money for a new bright red Tesla Model 3? (Or did you skimp and got the standard any-color-so-long-as-it-is-black car?)

Tesla’s Model 3 order book backlog has been growing longer. The company has confirmed having about 420,000 Model 3 reservations, which, at the current production rate, will take nearly two years to deliver. Tesla has been struggling for more than a year to ramp up manufacturing to meet the demand. The company is targeting production rate of 6,000 per week, which is a significant improvement, albeit still only about 65% of the factory’s capacity when it was co-owned by General Motors and Toyota.

To accelerate production, Tesla reduced the number of available Model 3 configurations from thousands to about 100, which means you will not be able to get the exact car of your dreams. And by the time your car is ready to be delivered to you, the federal tax incentive you were counting on may be gone. Read More

Apr 14
Focal Point (Leon Zernitsky)

Automakers: You’re Not Going To Get There From Here

By Automotive, Autonomous, Connected, Electric, Shared Vehicles No Comments

The Race to Reinvent the Process for Developing Connected and Autonomous Vehicles

Forward-looking automakers are recognizing how the convergence of technology, business, and societal trends is transforming the automotive industry, posing an unprecedented level of new opportunities as well as unfamiliar threats. These manufacturers have already begun to refine their structure and processes to embrace the changes, face the threats, and build organizations that can deliver on the ever-changing possibilities for new mobility solutions for customers.

Industry in Flux

Just over 100 years ago, Henry Ford disrupted the auto industry of the time with the introduction of the mass-production moving assembly line. To say that the auto industry is again in flux is almost cliché. Most everyone is aware of the massive changes the industry is undergoing, although the cumulative long-term effect of rapid technology innovation, disruptive business models, and evolving supply chain ecosystems is probably not fully comprehended yet. Read More

Dec 24
Connected Car Challenge

Connected Car Enthusiast? Inventor? Hacker? We’ve Got a Challenge for You!

By Automotive, Autonomous, Connected, Electric, Shared Vehicles One Comment

We’ve Got a Challenge (and $10,000) for You

SAE International is the world’s largest professional association of over 128,000 automotive and aerospace engineers worldwide.

The Vehicle IoT Committee of SAE is inviting you to participate in a Connected Car Challenge.

During the Challenge, participants will propose, build and demonstrate an innovative connected-vehicle device, system, or application that demonstrates how vehicle connectivity can contribute to improving mobility, quality of life of individuals and communities, and the environment.

Finalists will be invited to present their innovation at WCX: an annual gathering of over 12,000 automotive executives and practitioners in Detroit, MI, on April 12, 2018. The winners will be selected by a panel of judges and will receive substantial cash awards:

  • First Prize: $10,000 cash award
  • Second Prize: $5,000 cash award
  • Third Prize: $3,000 cash award

Read More

Dec 22
Doctor and Boy Looking at Thermometer (Norman Rockwell, 1954)

Your Car Is Not your Wallet; And It Isn’t Your Health Monitor Either

By Automotive, Autonomous, Connected, Electric, Shared Vehicles, Telematics No Comments

From time to time I review technical papers on mobility topics that range from artificial intelligence in autonomous driving to future mobility models.

Earlier today, I reviewed a paper describing a driver health monitoring system. The concept has been proposed in the past in various forms of sensors built into the steering wheel, the seat cushion or the back rest to monitor the driver’s vital signs and detect signs of stress or an impending heart attack or a stroke.

Setting aside the technical challenges in implementing such a system—which are numerous—my view of a health monitoring system built into car is similar to my point of view expressed in a previous blog post, in which I discuss vehicle-based payment applications. Read More