References

Below are some of the sources which helped put the posts together about the future technology:

On Demand Mobility

Autonomous Vehicle technology

Connected Cars

Nissan Smart watch

Big data analytics for automotive

Electrification of cars

Ford ebike technology

Software and IT role in Mobility

Automotive industry is seeing a technological revolution as we move towards safer, more efficient and smarter cars. The innovation and development of all the IoT technologies like autonomous cars, connected cars, smart mobility programs etc. are all possible because of the advanced software and IT solutions and enablers. Cars are no more considered a utility, they are equipped with millions of lines of code on different modules used for powertrain operation, infotainment, navigation etc. Extensive use of high level programming languages, version control software's are increasing as we move towards these IoT applications.

Autonomous vehicles along with the advanced sensors have advanced algorithms, which run in real time to detect, learn, make decisions and control the navigation of the car. Researchers are using advanced AI, computer vision and machine learning techniques and are implementing these in real time. These advanced technologies are driving the industry towards using more enhanced software and hardware requirements.


For the connected vehicle platforms cellphone companies are working in collaboration with automakers, to develop a medium and protocol for sharing vehicle data between different systems. This is driving the industry to work with advanced data handling techniques, for optimal and faster communications.

With the development of data analytics and IoT technologies every device in the network will be communicating and connected via Cloud. Cloud computing is playing a major role in the industry at this point with all these new emerging technologies.

Cyber security: 
As the automakers develop more advanced software and IT solutions to make the cars smarter, there is a risk involved with the security of the vehicle. As most of the vehicles motion is controlled with this software, there is lot of risk involved with sharing confidential vehicle data over the network. Automakers and mobile network companies are trying to make the cars of the future safe from any such cyber attacks, by improving network security.

These advancements are hence increasing the demand for software and IT professionals in auto industry.

Smart Devices for Mobility

Smart devices like mobile phones, smart watches, tablets and any other devices connected over network are an important part of today's daily life.

                      

Many applications designed for the smart devices are synced into our cars interface and the vehicle itself acts as our interface. Apart from infotainment and navigation, automakers are working towards vehicle to vehicle and infrastructure communication protocol using smart devices connected over network i.e. 4G and LTE.

                         

Automakers are integrating smart watches into the car environment to monitor and keep track of biometric data from the smart watch apps while at the same time handing over control of the vehicle controls like locking etc. through the smart watch.

Researchers in HMI and auto industry are working towards developing better apps more suitable to improve customer experience and make cars more smarter with the devices.

Companies have collaborated to develop a unified framework for the IoT. One such E.g. is many home automation and security companies are linking their interfaces and gadgets with mobile devices and in turn with the car which gives the customer a unified access to everything in a daily life.

                            

Mobility on Demand & other Innovations

Most of the disruptive innovation ideas and entrepreneurs in the recent years have captured this space and significantly turned the attention of major automakers. Companies like Uber, lyft have started this revolution with on demand transportation programs. Urban transportation is a fundamental enabler to peoples well being and productivity and hence the programs like ride sharing and on demand ride are increasing being popular.

                          

Also automakers like Ford are coming up with smart mobility solutions like ebike which are like tag on devices for customers which help urban transportation. There are many other innovative ideas being experimented to improve the transportation trend in every day life in major cities.

                             

Big Data Analytics in Auto Industry

Automotive industry is facing many challenges today like improving product quality, efficiency, reducing failures or faults, improving customer experience, competition, volatility, and market shifts. To face these challenges one of the most important tool is to look into the past and present data and make decisions based on logical and statistical analysis in each domain of business.

Automotive manufacturer's, dealers and insurance companies are all using analytics as an important tool for making any business decisions. Based on customers driving demands and needs manufacturer's are coming up with mobility, ride sharing programs and likewise designing products which suit the interests of major customer sector which would eventually profit the industry and the customer. Insurance companies are likewise using this customer data to see the drive behavior of individuals and regulate the prices accordingly. Hence data analytics is becoming a major tool in the mobility world to make future decisions.

Connected cars

In this brink of technology revolution of the automotive industry one another major technology is connected cars. The idea of this technology prevailed in many forms from 1940's while radio was used to communicate any messages on road. With the advancements in telecommunication and mobile technology we have more sophisticated methods of communicating safety critical information between two sources.

Automakers are working towards making this a mandate in all the future vehicles where the cars talk (vehicle to vehicle - V2V communication)  to each other over short range radar to avoid any accidents and ensure passenger safety. Mobile devices and different software applications are now synced into our cars infotainment and navigation system. This is other enabling technology as automakers try to tap into these devices and transmit data across individual devices in close proximity to improve safety. Government and NHTSA are taking steps to install devices on major roads and intersections to develop a vehicle to infrastructure communication platform which will benefit both the individuals on road and the government as they have a good source of data for improving our roadways. A great amount of research is being conducted in this space to come with more innovative technologies to improve safety and also collect and use the data to improve everyday driving experience and efficiency for the customers.

Future of Powertrain Engineering & Electrification

Conventionally most of the early innovations and patents in auto industry were about designing a better powertrain. Every component like motor, drive train which is assisting and sustaining the motion of the car are considered to be powertrain components. The first major inventions where around designing motors to generate mechanical energy from chemical energy by using fossil fuels. Even after 100 years of innovation and engineering majority of today's cars still have the internal combustion engines running on gasoline or diesel. During 1980's as the world turned its focus towards environment, many stringent emission regulations started effecting the auto industry and engineering world. It was during this time that electronics and software started evolving as well which were the biggest enablers, which accelerated the innovation in this space. Today powertrain control module or other way know as the engine computer is one of the integral part of vehicles powertrain. Many advanced software algorithms and solutions on this engine computer control the powertrain and make it more efficient and environment friendly. Today the same cars deliver a fuel economy around 30mpg while we used to see 6-7 mpg in the past, kudos to engineering and software developments in automobiles.

Currently the industry and customers are slowly making a step towards zero emissions i.e. having and developing cars which drive on electric motors rather than conventional combustion engines. Electrification is driven by emission regulations and many OEM's and visionaries in this space. Enablers like advanced software and electronics and batteries are quickly catching up with the demand of the technology. Researchers in this domain are working towards improving the range, accessibility of charging the electric vehicles etc. . Companies like tesla, GM, ford and others are investing big capital into this space of business.

Autonomous Vehicles...

Leaonardo Da Vinci's self propelled cart design is the first robot which drives on its own with a predetermined steer. Today this futuristic dream which seemed impossible is very close to reality. Companies like Ford, Tesla, Toyota, Google  and university researcher's are accelerating towards making this dream a reality soon, while they all are investing a large capital into the research and implementation of autonomous vehicles. This technology is all about making our roads safer, and as the cars learn and drive in this would significantly change the way we see mobility or transportation.

Safety of the customers have led to innovations in passive safety world like designing air bags, better braking systems etc. With the increase in electronics and use of software in the cars more active safety technologies have been invented and implemented E.g. collision warning, lane keeping assist, blind spot warning etc. The major enablers for all these technologies are sensors like radars, cameras, ultrasonic sensors etc.. Sensors have become cheap and easy to implement and work with, in the automotive world. With this rapid developments in the drive safety and driver assist world industry is marching fast towards implementing a fully autonomous car on the road.
Artificial intelligence, robotics and computer vision are some of the streams in the engineering world which are shaping these changes. Advanced algorithms, software and powerful electronics, sensors all together are making this a reality as most manufacturers are promising to have driverless cars on roads by 2021. There are many ethical decisions to be made by the companies and lawmakers around this technology to make it a success while ensuring customers safety.

Evolution of Mobility..!!

Means and methods of transportation has evolved over the years. Automobile industry has seen many remarkable eras as we moved from horseless carriers to cars with 700 horsepower, and all credits to the one who invented the wheel..!!

                    Today car means a lot of different things to different people, it is considered more than a utility and means to make it from point A to B. As the world becomes more digitized and with the advancements in electronics and software, cars today are more safer and smarter. Automobiles are more like a technology development platform. Mobile devices and communication industry are playing an equally important role in this transformation. Connectivity and accessibility are integral part of today's daily life and business world. All these enablers are designing the future of automobiles as we move towards to more intelligent and affordable means of commuting.

   

This explains the evolution of mobility how engineers have started with primitive technology and have dramatically changed the image of industry, where car is way more than a utility. Today researchers around the world are working on a completely connected cars, internet of things (IoT) in auto industry, autonomous vehicles, advanced powertrain technology which all will change how we travel around.

About Me...!!!

I Disha Joshi am a graduate student at Lawrence technological University, currently pursuing my Master's in Information technology. I have my undergraduate background in Information science and also a management (MBA) degree in Finance, which is the domain I worked for about 4 years. I am a tech. enthusiast and enjoy working on innovative and challenging problems pertaining to programming, analytics and management.