Heading 1: The Rise of the Software-Defined Car
The car industry is undergoing a significant transformation with the rise of the software-defined car. This new concept involves replacing electronic control units (ECUs) with a central computer that can be updated throughout the lifetime of the car. The software-defined car is a subtle transition from using electronic components to operate the features of a car to allowing them to evolve during ownership. Renault is one of the pioneers in this field, working on its CAR OS with Qualcomm and Google.
Heading 2: The Evolution of ECUs in Cars
ECUs have been used in cars since the late 1970s, primarily to control engines. They allowed for ignition systems and fueling to be brought under the control of an engine management system, making engines more efficient and powerful. ECUs soon appeared elsewhere, controlling things like ABS, lighting systems, stability control systems, and electronic transmission controls. Today’s cars have nearly 100 ECUs dotted around, each doing a specific job.
One advantage of using lots of ECUs as cars became more complex was to reduce the amount of costly, heavy wiring harnesses. Instead of all the wiring needed to connect each individual electrical device on the car, plus all the associated wiring for switching things on and off and connecting sensors, the introduction of the CAN (controller area network) allowed each individual ECU controlling its own group of equipment to be connected by a couple of signal wires.
Heading 3: The Need for Something More Sophisticated
The complexity of cars needs something more sophisticated than ECUs. That’s where the software-defined car comes in. Renault is replacing the 60-80 ECUs its cars have today with a central computer that has more power and flexibility than it needs at the car’s inception. This gives it the capacity for future upgrades and the ability to cope with huge amounts of data.
Renault’s CAR OS will cover preventative maintenance by predicting wear and tear, personalization of the interior features, battery charge management, infotainment, and more. The physical change will be substantial, with a central computer replacing all the ECUs. This central computer will be able to update the car throughout its lifetime via a centralized architecture in a similar way to a smartphone.
Heading 4: Collaborations in the Industry
Renault is not the only company working on the software-defined car. ZF Friedrichshafen, a major supplier and big innovator, has developed Cubix control software to coordinate and control all the chassis actuators in a car directly, from brakes to steer by wire and suspension systems. The rest of the industry is following a similar path, with collaborations between car manufacturers and technology companies becoming more common.
Renault is working with Qualcomm and Google to develop its CAR OS. The ultimate software-defined vehicle is likely to be the autonomous car of the future. The software-defined car will allow for updates to be made to the car’s software, enabling it to evolve over time and adapt to changing needs.
Heading 5: The Future of the Software-Defined Car
The software-defined car is set to revolutionize the car industry. It will allow for greater flexibility and adaptability in cars, enabling them to evolve over time. The rise of the software-defined car will also pave the way for autonomous cars, which will rely heavily on software updates to function correctly.
The software-defined car is still in its early stages, but it is clear that it has the potential to transform the way we think about cars. With collaborations between car manufacturers and technology companies becoming more common, we can expect to see more developments in this field in the coming years. The software-defined car is set to become a key feature of the future of the automotive industry.