"Automotive IoT" connects software-defined vehicles and their digital twins
The keywords that will change the future of automobiles are "IoT" and "automated driving". The automotive industry aims to create the cars of the future that provide safety and comfort by acquiring and analyzing a vehicle's broad range of digital data in real time. What kind of technology will be used for Automotive IoT? How will car life evolve in the future? This article will describe the technologies that are necessary to achieve automated driving and its challenges.
What is Automotive IoT?
IoT (Internet of Things) refers to technology that communicates with things via the Internet. For home appliances such as TVs and air conditioners, operating data acquired from sensors installed in devices is stored in the cloud via the Internet and used as big data for future development. Alternatively, it is also used in technology that enables remote control and automatic operation by linking AI and communications.
Automotive IoT acquires various kinds of data from sensor devices installed in the parts and devices that make up the vehicle, and aggregates the data in the cloud. Road surface data while driving, weather data due to the movement of wipers, and driving data such as traffic congestion information, speed, and distance between vehicles can be used for development and improvement to provide safe and comfortable driving.
Safe and comfortable driving functions achieved through Automotive IoT
In the future, by communicating with traffic lights at intersections and live cameras installed on roads, it could be possible to provide functions that warn the driver if there are people in the pedestrian crossing when turning right, and inform the driver when the traffic light changes.
In addition, by linking information from sensors and cameras between vehicles, it can be used for functions that smoothly maintain a safe distance between vehicles, as well as for systems such as collision avoidance at intersections, and lane keeping systems.
For example, when the road surface freezes in winter, it could be possible not only to correct the situation with vehicle body control, but also to prepare for it by obtaining freezing information in advance. By obtaining information from vehicles that already passed across the frozen road surface and sharing that information with the IoT system, it could be possible to prevent accidents by automatically decelerating or issuing warnings to other vehicles that pass through the area after that.
IoT will continue to be used in the development of ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems), which assist drivers in driving functions.
Mechanism and structure of Automotive IoT
Automotive systems consist of four main domain architectures: powertrain that powers the engine and other elements, motion that controls turning and stopping, infotainment, and body. Each domain has an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) called a domain controller.
Those ECUs are equipped with a huge amount of software that controls the vehicle.
In the future, data such as vehicle data, driving data, and the operating status of automotive systems will be transferred to the cloud. Based on the acquired data, a digital twin will be built that runs a virtual car in a virtual space, and by analyzing it using AI machine learning models, it can be used for research and development to create future cars, and for software updates (OTA) of in-vehicle computers.
Introduction of new development models such as DevOps and agile development
Previously, automobile development was limited to the delivery of finished vehicles. However, now that IoT can be used for data collection and software control, a new development model called "DevOps" (in which developers and operations staff work together) has been adopted even after mass production.
In addition, in order to realize DevOps, "agile development" is being promoted. For each function, the cycle of "requirement definition, design, development, implementation, testing, and operation" is repeated through trial and error in short time periods.
Priority is given to releasing apps for smartphones and other devices first, and if any bugs are found, they are quickly updated.
These software development practices are in place to respond quickly to cybersecurity measures and software updates and modifications.
Based on the firmly established concept that automobiles should be safe, measures have been implemented so that there would not by any defects, and now automotive software development is also required to be agile and quick.
In addition, there are also challenges at the development site, such as the difficulty of improving development efficiency due to differences in software and cloud technologies selected by each company and department. In order to create the cars of the future, there is a need for people who can coordinate technology selection with other departments and other companies, and who have a perspective that can oversee the entire site.
How will the future of automobiles evolve through the use of IoT?
Automated driving systems and a wide range of functions are expected through the use of Automotive IoT.
For example, regular inspections are required for the current maintenance of automobiles, but if all automobile parts can be IoT-enabled, efficiency could be improved by using AI to inspect parts for abnormalities and receive notifications if parts need replacement.
In addition, if brakes, which are important for safe driving, are also IoT-enabled, the system would be able to ascertain the usage status of the brakes, so it would be possible to notify the car owner about the appropriate replacement time for brake parts. The car dealer could also know the replacement timing in advance, so replacement parts could be prepared in advance. Functions like these could be possible in the near future.
Thanks to IoT, the cars of the future are on the verge of becoming completely automated, allowing them to reach their destination without a steering wheel. Like shinkansen bullet trains and airplanes, people will be able to use the inside of the car like an office during travel time. Furthermore, if all cars are connected to each other, a system may appear in the future that allows cars to travel in a row with a very short inter-vehicle distance.
*Information contained in this article is current at the time of data collection. (Published on January 23, 2023)