Put a software engine: the war of the connected car – Courier Communications

SCENARIO

Dominic Aliperto

 After more than a century of conservative and slow changes, the automotive industry is going through its first real revolution. It is the merit of digital. Not just about on-board entertainment, security systems, electronic vehicle black boxes and smart: functionality increasingly important in the use of a vehicle, of course. But at stake, especially in the long term, there is more.

 Just think of the patronage that Gunther Oettinger , Commissioner to ‘ Digital Economy , has given the new alliance in key Internet of Things between corporations such as Philips , Bosch , Orange , Alcatel , Nokia , Siemens , Phone and Volvo to create a network that responds to the moves of the US in October and the developers of the Far East. “We have to reach the digital piano the same authority that we have won in mechanical and aerospace”, Oettinger said, “the more so given the fact that today the horses of a car does not depend more on its engine, but the software that controls the engine, downloadable from the on-board computer. “

 Science fiction? No, if you think that many analysts consider to hand the ability to change the body color by downloading a handful of bits and exploiting nanotechnology. “The operations center of Tesla (the futuristic car maker founded by Elon Musk , editor’s note) has realized that the body of the cars, beyond a certain speed, it was too low and was likely to hit the ground, “says Marcello Tamietti , Connected Transportation Lead, Accenture Digital-Mobility . “So he reprogrammed remotely suspension stiffness solving the problem without the owners even knowing it. The concept of firmware over-the-air programming is in effect already a reality. “

 In Accenture working for years on the concept of self as a digital hub: last Mobile World Congress were announced partnerships with Fca and BMW . The first Uconnect Live (infotainment system that provides on-board music and news, interaction with social networks and access to diagnostic services), the second on the new version of the platform Business Integration Platform ( BIP ) of the Bavarian house, that within a few years will implement the ConnectedDrive BMW with a store that will buy services and apps directly from the vehicle.

 Also in Barcelona, ​​ Ford presented the Service Delivery Network , solution based on cloud platform Microsoft Azure , which will allow the cars to download via wi -fi and automatically updates the system. But this is just the beginning. Soon builders will also focus on the collection of biometric data mechanical and passengers collected by cars to enable business to other companies. “I think the insurance telematics – says Tamietti – that through analytics studies the behavior of the driver behind the wheel and calculates awards cut on his profile”. Visa has shown that it is possible to pay the full tank without leaving the cockpit. “The tank is in reserve, and the driver is at the wheel for several hours? – He says Tamietti – A service station closest contact the driver and warns him that if he stops for refueling will have a coffee in homage “.

 The real revolution, however, will come with the introduction of self driving vehicles. According to Sergio Savaresi , a full professor in Automatic control to Polytechnic of Milan , overwhelm the entire industry. “The outlook is not short term, because one of the essential components is the V2V communication from vehicle to vehicle,” says the teacher. “And we need a protocol, the IEEE 802.11p, which provides connectivity systems far more complex classics wi-fi and Bluetooth. But when within a decade will begin to establish mass production, the car objects will become much simpler from the point of view of architecture, with a heavy structure of control technologies but without the steering wheel. It will no longer be private property “.

 That’s right, for Savaresi cars will become a means of public transport. “Today I take the bus, tomorrow I’ll call the Google car , digiterò my destination and I will enjoy the journey reading or watching a video. Do not purchase more cars, except those luxury or sports, but mobility services. One thing is certain: for all players in the supply chain, beginning with the manufacturers, the business model will change dramatically. “

© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED May 2, 2015

tag: Gunther Oettinger, Digital Economy, the Internet of Things, Philips, Bosch, Orange, Alcatel, Nokia, Siemens, Telefonica, Volvo, Tesla, Elon Musk, Marcello Tamietti, Accenture Digital-Mobility, Sergio Savaresi, Polimi