Electronics gaining prominence in automotive innovation – Automotive Forum 2012

Pune, October 20, 2012: The inaugural Automotive Forum 2012, organised by Autocar Professional, India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) and the Mahratta Chamber of Commerce Industries & Agriculture (MCCIA), on the sidelines of the ongoing Auto Ancillary Show 2012 being held at the Auto Cluster in Chinchwad, Pune, debated the scope of innovation in the automotive electronics and roadblocks to the opportunity.

The well-attended forum had respected industry stalwarts as the panellists speaking on the theme of ‘Opportunities and Challenges in Automotive Electronics’ – Dr Markus Hildenbrand, MD, Bosch Automotive Electronics India, Dr Arun Jaura, VP – technology and head of engineering centre, Eaton Corporation, Subhendu Ghosh, VP – global delivery, engineering & design, Tata Technologies, Randeep Singh Khokar, head – electrical & electronics engineering (Passenger Car Business Unit), Tata Motors, and Shailendra Goswami, chairman and MD, Pushkaraj Group. The event was moderated by Autocar Professional’s Sumantra Barooah.

Dr Hildenbrand underlined that the increasing demand for enhanced safety and in-car entertainment systems and stricter emission norms is leading the involvement of more electronics per car. Features such as electronic power steering, airbags, engine control units (ECUs), remote keyless entry, ABS, battery management, entertainment systems and many others operate on electronics. He believes that automotive electronics not only comprise a major part of technological innovation but is also less volatile and steady in terms of sustaining regular growth. However, he mentioned that the key challenges lie in configuring an eco-system for electronic manufacturing in India and development of infrastructure and skill competitiveness on the lines of South-East Asia.

Dr Jaura touched upon mechatronics, an integration of mechanical and electrical setup along with software and simulation. According to him, the growth drivers of mechatronics are stricter emission norms, increasing demand of fuel economy per vehicle, alternate fuel and propulsion systems, drive quality and safety, infotainment and communication and comfort and convenience. Underlining the efficiencies of automotive electronics in the current scenario, Dr Jaura said, “The aerospace industry looks at the automotive industry in terms of cost efficiencies.”

Tata Technologies’ Subendhu Ghosh, on the other hand, believes that the innovation will shift towards active safety features of the vehicles such as driver alert system, brake assist system, ABS, collision avoidance system, lane departure warning system, side object warning system and many others. “Automotive electronics will stand to match 35 percent of the car’s cost and 80 percent of the automotive innovation area in the coming 10 years,” said Ghosh. Explaining the role of electronics in cars, Tata Motors’ Randeep Singh Khokar informed that an average car operates with 30 ECUs while a premium car functions on 80 to 90 ECUs and over 300 sensors. Defining the roadblocks, Shailendra Goswami added that “training and infrastructure will play a major role in the adaptaion of any new technological leap forward. Good ideas are as good only when they are executed.”

The speakers also agreed that there is a vast opportunity for automotive electronics in the two-wheeler industry as the majority of two-wheelers sold today are powered by carburettor- fed engines unlike fuel injection technology. Component major Bosch has deployed around 2,000 engineers, who work on low-price ECUs, at its Bangalore setup.

Photograph (L-R): Autocar Professional's Sumantra Barooah; Subhendu Ghosh, VP – global delivery, engineering & design, Tata Technologies; Randeep Singh Khokar, head – electrical & electronics engineering (PCBU), Tata Motors; Shailendra Goswami, CMD, Pushkaraj Group; Dr Arun Jaura, VP – technology and head of engineering centre, Eaton Corporation; and Dr Markus Hildenbrand, MD, Bosch Automotive Electronics India. AMIT PANDAY