Times are changing. Automotives’ autonomy is no longer limited to the steering wheel, gear and pedal system coupled with an entertainment system. The digital transformation penetrating the automotive industry has remodeled the vehicles into becoming tech accessories leading to car manufacturers and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) adopting embedded systems. Be it improved driving assistance, safety, or motor functions, embedded systems have gradually developed from single controllers to a network within vehicles. Researchers have anticipated that the global automotive embedded market size is likely to increase tenfold during the years 2019 to 2025.
One of the aims of OEMs and car manufacturers is to bolster customer engagement and user experience by optimizing the current design and functions of vehicles. Today, consumers are inclined toward vehicles with lower power consumption and maximum performance factor. Global positioning system (GPS), airbag control systems, adaptive cruise control, and anti-lock brake systems are a few of the in-demand features introduced by embedded systems in the confined space of vehicles.
Anti-lock braking system takes the lead in terms of safety. A combination of speed sensors and controllers, anti-lock braking system proves to be beneficial in avoiding accidents and any on-road mishaps. The embedded system has gained popularity in the past recent years owing to the introduction of driverless cars. Even visual systems such as automotive night vision system not only improves a driver’s perception in the darkness but also ensures that self-driving vehicles detect low light-conditions, ensuring safety and security for the person in the car as well as pedestrians.
Another embedded system making its mark in the automotive sector is the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC). Introduced to make the driverless car a safe reality, ACC analyzes the incoming data from several sensors embedded in the car to calculate the distance between other cars on the road to avoid any instances of accidents. Further, OEMs are designing and developing sensor fusion technology-powered software to deliver solutions by integrating incoming data from multiple car sensors. Acting as the key enabler, the data allows cars to communicate with other on-road vehicles, interpret traffic signs smartly, and avoid accidents or traffic jams. Driving monitoring system is one such tool, which is embedded with cameras and sensory devices to monitor driver’s alertness.
For the future, OEMs and vehicle manufacturers are focused on connecting all of these embedded systems to the internet and the cloud, thereby simplifying the data collection and analyze method. Such an innovative approach would result in reduced energy consumption and ultimately the costs.
Last few years have also seen the rise of an optical embedded system that eases up the driving process for all the drivers by acting as visual aids to them.
This edition of Embedded Advisor features companies that are at the forefront of offering embedded automotive solution. In the last few months, a distinguished panel comprising of CEOs, CIOs, VCs, and analysts including our editorial board reviewed the top companies in the domain, and shortlisted the ones that are at the helm of tackling challenges in the embedded automotive space.
We present to you Embedded Advisor’s “Top 10 Embedded Solution Providers for Automotive - 2019.”