Software development is helping the automotive industry reinvent itself. The four biggest upheavals in recent years—autonomous vehicles, shared mobility, electrification, and connectivity—all rely significantly on cutting-edge Software. In this new software-driven value chain, OEMs, suppliers, and industry entrants are vying for control points. In this blog, we discussed some major developments in in-vehicle Software that have revolutionized the transportation sector.
The Dominance of Software in the Automobile Sector
By 2035, the linked transportation market will be valued at more than $550 billion, predicts AT Kearney. While Boston Consulting Group (BCG) estimates that by 2030, shared autonomous electric vehicles may account for 25% of all US driving miles.
The software layer will manage several aspects of a car, including driving. Additionally, it will offer services and conveniences to customers to enhance their travel experience. Software development is positive for the auto industry but can also be costly. Automakers and speech-tech start-ups collaborate more frequently to incorporate voice assistants and other SaaS goods into automobiles. A software development cost breakdown may include project management, coding, testing, quality assurance, documentation, and maintenance expenses. Despite the high cost, investing in software development is essential for automakers to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving market.
According to Morgan Stanley, Software and application layers will make up approximately 60% of autonomous vehicles in the future.
As traditional automobile growth rates gradually decrease, the non-software-driven car industry will stall for another ten years. OEMs will need to make some choices in this position if they want to remain competitive in the automotive sector.
Software stacks and the vehicle interface must work together flawlessly. OEMs should work closely with technology companies to create solutions like AI-driven voice assistants that can manage automobiles and link to other cars.
The Automotive Software Industry
The Asia Pacific area became the most important regional market for the automobile sector in 2021, accounting for 36.4 percent of the market and generating 0.53 billion in revenue. The greatest market over the predicted period may be in the Asia-Pacific region.
The expanding demand for automobiles in developing economies is essential to the industry’s expansion. The largest manufacturer in the world, China, aims to lower carbon emissions by increasing fuel efficiency. The Chinese market is changing toward the production of cutting-edge vehicles.
Innovation in the Automotive Software Industry
Connected Cars and Automotive Software
Automakers frequently use Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN) to connect their automobiles to the internet. Any other device or service, within or outside the car, can access the data shared through the internet by a connected automobile. Connected cars can always access the internet to carry out tasks or download data at the user’s request.
Self-driving cars will also profit from connected car technology and be able to interface with the road network and cloud system in addition to conventional cars. At the moment, connected automobiles are upending the automotive industry.
Consumers are increasingly drawn to linked cars as more smart automobiles reach the market. In the upcoming years, connected technology will establish new safety and accident prevention benchmarks.
Read more: AI and IoT: The Disruptive Duo Changing the Entertainment Industry
Automotive Software and Cloud Computing
An automotive cloud can enhance already available services like emergency help or remote car access while setting the framework for future ones like automatic driving, smart parking, and intelligent navigation.
The Automotive cloud might be powered by an electric vehicle’s in-car navigation system that provides information on charging stations and suggested stops to alleviate range anxiety.
In addition, the cloud might use the data provided by electric vehicles to improve and create batteries with greater performance and range.
Autonomous Driving
Autonomous driving refers to moving a vehicle or a transportation system without a human driver’s assistance. The various development phases leading up to fully autonomous vehicles are defined in the J3016 standard, released by SAE International (Society of Automotive Engineers) in 2014. Independent driving autonomy levels vary from 0 (no automation) to 5 (complete vehicle autonomy).
Advanced driver-aid technology examples include:
Front crash prevention systems.
Blind spot recognition.
Lane departure.
Rear crash prevention systems.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, “Forward collision warning alone reduces rear-end collisions by 27%, whereas automated braking systems reduce them by 50%. Additionally, auto brake systems greatly lessen rear-end incidents that result in injuries.
Technology enabling automobiles to self-park by spotting an open space and automatically navigating it may make parking cars easier. The driver would then need to use the accelerator and braking pedals to move the vehicle.
With Drive Pilot, Mercedes-Benz took things a step further by allowing the driver to occasionally give up direct control of the steering and speed while still keeping an eye on the car.
Special Mention: Cybertruck by Tesla
The stainless steel exterior of Tesla’s all-electric truck has sharp edges and is resistant to scratches and dents. The Cybertruck has a driving range of at least 500 miles and a towing capacity of up to 14,000 pounds.
An all-electric design is the only way to achieve this power, speed, and versatility. With a low center of gravity and a strong drivetrain, the car can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in under 2.9 seconds and have a range of up to 500 miles.
The truck’s manufacture has been delayed multiple times by Tesla, although CEO Elon Musk recently said that the truck might be available in 2023.
Complex technology requires sophisticated sensor technologies, clever control systems, and intelligent actuators for everything from automated to autonomous driving. It does not, however, concern the ability of automated vehicles to start themselves. Future developments will place even more emphasis on passenger comfort while maintaining safety as the primary priority.
Final Thoughts
Numerous automakers have taken extreme action to boost performance after realizing the advantages of automotive software development.
Some businesses intend to increase their software capabilities and hire automotive software development companies and thousands of engineers over the coming years. Others develop global centers of excellence, partner with other organizations, and reinvent their governance models.
Automakers need to alter the core operating paradigms for software development.
Most automakers still need to advance their software engineering methods as much as leaders in other industries have. Concerns exist in automated testing, agile methodologies, and continuous integration.
The industry will be won by the automotive leaders who draw in the greatest personnel and organize their businesses to foster innovation. So, finding and managing personnel well is crucial for success. You may construct the ideal engineering team with Turing by clicking the recruit developers button below if you want to hire skilled software developers to create flawless automotive Software.
