Delphi TCI develops body control module for CVs

Bangalore-based Technical Centre India targets commercial vehicle sector with new body control module. Some OEMs have already evinced interest.

Multi-systems specialist Delphi’s Technical Centre India (TCI) in Bangalore has indigenously developed a new body control module (BCM) for the commercial vehicle segment. The BCM can take care of vital tasks like tyre pressure monitoring, rain-sensing wiper functions, interior lighting control and ambient light sensing.

The BCM is similar to the one that TCI developed for the passenger car segment, except that this runs on a higher voltage – 24V as opposed to 12V. Delphi TCI’s director Nambi Ganesh says that some OEMs have shown interest, but that it is too early to divulge more details about the orders.

The BCM meant for trucks and buses can perform all basic functions that one has come to expect from the BCMs of passenger cars. Remote keyless entry and immobiliser functions are standard. The modern BCM records all details regarding the health of the vehicle, all of which can be downloaded easily during the vehicle’s diagnostics stage. Ganesh envisages a time when wireless BCM will become the norm and believes that this could become a possibility in three to four years.

Ganesh heads a team of about 700 engineers at TCI, around 400 of whom are dedicated to the software wing. Almost 80 percent of the work done at the centre is for Delphi’s global clients, and to do this TCI collaborates with Delphi’s 23 other technical centres across the world.

Ganesh takes pride in saying that his team of engineers had done a major part of the modeling and software rendering for Volvo’s well-known pedestrian collision detection system.

Delphi TCI is mostly involved in reverse engineering global technologies to suit Indian customers, but there have been cases where complete systems saw development in-house. One such instance is the speedometer cluster for the Tata Nano. Incidentally, the order for the Nano was the first domestic order bagged by TCI, back in 2006.

Ganesh says that a lot of stress is maintained on developing systems that ease the human-machine interface. “We invest a lot in R&D. It is a combination of both manpower and cost investment. A lot of reverse engineering happens, but one is expected to come up with fresh ideas for the Indian market too,” he adds.

Another concept in the pipeline is an infotainment system that combines vehicle telematics and security features. The system includes a device similar to a mobile phone’s SIM card and uses GSM technology to enable communication between the car’s system and the user’s internet-enabled device. A similar system is used for medium-to-large-scale fleet management. Such a system, mainly for security purposes, is mandatory in Brazil by legislation. While the law might take a while to catch up in India, OEs have shown interest, says Ganesh.

Infotainmentsystem for Audi cars

The TCI also helped in developing an infotainment system for Audi. The product eventually found its way to three of Audi’s top-selling models worldwide, namely, the A1, A6 and A7. The high-end systems with TFT screens include both navigation and entertainment features. “The order was worked on for around two years across various sites across the world. The lead site was our centre in Germany,” says Ganesh. Interestingly, the hardware remains the same across the three models. “Only the software varies as each model belongs to a different market segment,” Ganesh adds. The software is designed in a way that it is scalable, thus keeping down the development costs. “The technology as such has a shelf life of four to five years. However, we can work together with some mobile phone manufacturers to keep the technology fresh and improve the shelf life,” Ganesh says.

Talking about the challenges he sees in coming times, Ganesh says that the growth of the smartphone industry is a concern. “We have to work towards device interaction and integration,” he says. He also says that with Indian legislation bound to catch up eventually, 360deg safety would become priority. “Radar and camera-based warning systems for drivers, passengers and pedestrians. Pedestrian detection systems, park assist and lane departure/driver alert systems, assuming seat-belts and airbags are made mandatory within five years,” are some of the safety measures that one could see in Indian cars soon, says Ganesh.

In sync in India for the global market

TCI works in conjunction with Delphi’s other facilities in India, namely, a powertrain manufacturing facility in Gurgaon, a wiring harness facility in Manesar, an electronics (instrument cluster) facility in Chennai and a joint venture facility with TVS in Chennai that manufactures fuel injection equipment. All put together, they are fast sizing up new business opportunities.

KARTHIK H