BRANDED CONTENT: FEV is enabling the shift to connected mobility and cloud computing in future cars

FEV is a globally leading engineering provider and software developer for intelligent, safe and secure mobility applications and systems. Addressing the transformative shift of the automotive industry in recent years, FEV is driving the integration of connected mobility and cloud technologies. These advancements are revolutionising the way, we interact with vehicles, providing enhanced safety, convenience, and personalised experiences. According to McKinsey, by 2030 about 95% of new vehicles sold globally will be connected, up from around 50% today. In just the United States, which has the largest percentage of connected vehicles, ABI Connected Car Market Data reports 91% of new vehicles sold in 2020 were connected. Figures for Asia-Pacific and Latin America were 51% and 37%, respectively.

So, what is connected mobility? Automotive connected mobility refers to the integration of vehicles with a set of external entities, enabling seamless communication, data exchange, and access to cloud-based services.

Connectivity options in a vehicle are not only limited to internet and cloud connectivity, but also comprise a series of other forms of connectivity termed as vehicle to everything (V2X). Connectivity technologies bring enhanced safety, comfort, and convenience to the user. While the vehicle is able to connect and communicate with other vehicles, road infrastructure including pedestrians and other road users, it enables safer driving by pushing alert notifications to drivers and other road users. On the other hand, connectivity to cloud and connected mobile apps enables a great range of features for the user’s convenience, like monitoring and controlling the vehicle remotely, notifications regarding parts replacement, stolen vehicle alerts, and many more.

With connected mobility being a main topic today, FEV provides more insights and details into the technology landscape, challenges faced by this evolving industry, and the trends and technologies that are shaping its future.

What are the service options for car manufacturers?
Service options, in other words, use cases for automotive connected mobility are numerous. Car manufacturers strive to provide connected services to the end customers. Like smart-phones, vehicle internet/connectivity is enabled typically over cellular connectivity or Wi-Fi by an in-vehicle telematics unit. Data cost is a prominent factor, which can be provided in multiple options by OEMs. Different vehicle classes (base, mid, high) offer different sets of connectivity features. Furthermore, there are sets of connectivity features that can be purchased by the user via subscription. Today, vehicle features are made available to the end consumers on subscription basis which gives customers the option of adding comforts such as heated seats, or advanced driver assistance (ADAS) features like the high beam assistant, in some cases even a higher power output or greater range.

Additionally, certain sets of connectivity-led services require technology standardisation and a commitment of all stakeholders in the eco system to adopt and enable them. 5GAA is one example where apart from car manufacturers, adoption & implementation from other players like road infrastructure providers, telecom service providers, and mobile app developers is required to realise the service. In such cases, appropriate strategies for connected services need to be carefully decided.

FEV knows tomorrow's trends today
Several trends and technologies are shaping the future of automotive-connected mobility. Among the major technologies are:

• 5G Connectivity: The advent of 5G networks promises ultra-fast, low-latency connectivity, enabling real-time communication between vehicles, infrastructure, and the cloud. This technology will support critical applications such as autonomous driving and vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication. Some prime use cases that are being considered through the 5GAA technologies are intersection collision warning, vulnerable road user, forward collision warning, emergency brake warning, control lost warning, traffic light optimal speed advisory, automated valet parking, etc. The purpose of these use cases is to enhance the safety and convenience of vehicle, driver, and road users.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML): AI and ML technologies are transforming automotive-connected mobility by enabling predictive maintenance, personalised services, and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). These technologies leverage cloud-based data analytics to deliver actionable insights.
• Edge computing: Edge computing brings computing power closer to the source of data generation, reducing latency and enabling real-time decision-making. In the automotive context, edge computing can enhance safety and enable faster response times for critical applications.
• Over-the-Air (OTA) updates: OTA updates enable the remote deployment of software updates and patches to vehicles, eliminating the need for physical visits to service centers. This technology enhances user experience, improves vehicle performance, and ensures security.
• Software Defined Vehicles: Software-defined vehicles (SDV) are a key trend that is revolutionising the automotive industry. As the name suggests, functionality and features in SDVs are enabled through software, firmware, and configuration updates. A major aspect of SDV technology is a paradigm shift of in-vehicle electrical/electronic (E/E) architectures and network topology where the level of consolidation of computing power onto a few high-performance computing (HPC) platforms significantly increases. A high-speed in-vehicle network connectivity is established among HPC modules over automotive ethernet to take advantage of their enhanced computing capacity. An emerging trend is the so-called zone-oriented or zonal architecture, which FEV can implement tailored to the needs and preferences of individual customers.

FEV fully utilises the technological landscape
The technological landscape of connected mobility and associated services is large, however, it is mainly being realised by the following main technologies:

• Internet of Things (IoT): Connected mobility relies on IoT technology to enable communication between vehicles, infrastructure, and other devices. IoT allows for data exchange and connectivity, facilitating features like vehicle tracking, remote diagnostics, stolen vehicle tracking, and over-the-air updates.
• High performance computing and high-speed communication in vehicles: Vehicles today need high performance computing and high-speed network to process the data generated by the increasing numbers of sensors, such as cameras, radars, and lidars as well as V2X communications, to perceive the environment around the vehicle more accurately and reliably, to enabling better and safer decision making in the development process of autonomous vehicles.
• Cloud infrastructure and cloud-based technologies: Cloud infrastructure plays a crucial role in automotive connected mobility by providing the computational power and storage necessary for data processing, realtime updates, and remote vehicle management.
• Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence (AI): Connected mobility generates vast amounts of data, which can be analysed to gain insights into vehicle performance, driving patterns, event analysis, and many more. AI technologies enable the processing of these data, allowing predictive maintenance, personalised services, and data-driven decision making.
• Cybersecurity: As vehicles become more connected, robust cybersecurity measures become critical. Protecting vehicles from cyber threats, securing data exchange, and implementing secure communication protocols are essential for the safety and privacy of connected mobility systems.
• Challenges in automotive connected mobility
• While automotive connected mobility holds immense promise, it also presents challenges that need to be addressed for widespread adoption and seamless implementation.
• Data security and privacy: Connected vehicles generate substantial amounts of sensitive data, including personal information and real-time location data. Protecting this data from unauthorised access and ensuring privacy is a critical challenge.
• Connectivity and infrastructure: Reliable and high-speed internet connectivity is crucial for real-time data exchange between vehicles and the cloud. Ensuring seamless coverage across various geographies and addressing infrastructure gaps is essential.
• Standardisation and interoperability: With multiple stakeholders involved, including automakers, technology providers, and service providers, establishing common standards and protocols for data sharing and interoperability is vital to enable seamless communication.
• System complexity: The integration of numerous technologies and the growing complexity of automotive systems pose challenges in terms of software updates, compatibility, and system reliability.

FEV offers long-standing expertise & experience
FEV, its software focused sub-brand FEV.io and the company’s highly qualified employees have been reliable partners for engineering services, intelligent mobility and system integration to the transport sector for decades – driving innovation to help the world evolve.

Within the framework of its in-house R&D activities, FEV has been investing in multiple areas like Software Defined Vehicle, connected security, 5GAA, OTA features namely firmware and software updates in the vehicle, network data logging, remote and guided diagnostics.

Connected mobility in the transport sector, driven by cloud computing, is revolutionising the automotive industry. Deploying all its innovative power, FEV is providing the market with safer, more efficient and personalised transport experiences. By addressing and overcoming challenges in data security, connectivity, standardisation and system complexity, the company continues to rapidly evolve its solutions. Through leveraging technologies such as 5G, AI/ ML, edge computing and OTA updates, FEV is enabling its customers around the world to realise the full potential of a connected, cloud-based automotive ecosystem.