In connected car news are Hyundai, Wind River, indie Semi, Ficosa, AOS, Mapbox, Magna, NorthStar and Toyota.
Hyundai Mobis & Wind River
Wind River®, a global leader in delivering software for mission-critical intelligent systems, today announced that Hyundai Mobis, one of the world’s largest vehicle technology innovators and suppliers, has selected Wind River Studio to accelerate its software-defined vehicle development.
Hyundai Mobis and Wind River have been collaborating on a best-in-class software development infrastructure for next-generation mobility. The companies have been working closely to advance the development and delivery of automotive systems with Hyundai Mobis leveraging Wind River edge products, including Wind River Linux, VxWorks® real-time operating system, and system simulation for development and rapid prototyping with both simulated and real hardware-based environments, as well as new custom test infrastructures.
Building upon on this existing collaboration, Hyundai Mobis plans to expand the partnership between the two companies to realize the vision of the software-defined vehicle by utilizing Hyundai Mobis’ pipeline built with Wind River Studio in continuous integration and continuous testing initiatives. Specifically, Hyundai Mobis will strengthen the DevSecOps process with Mobis Dev Studio, an innovative collaboration platform that provides a space-free cooperative development environment and enables continuous integration and continuous testing. It will enable Mobis to expand its own platform, which is being built to optimize software development and testing environments. Hyundai Mobis will employ key Wind River Studio components such as Virtual Lab, test automation, pipelines, and Web IDE, all within a cloud-native infrastructure to deliver a modernized development environment for an end-to-end lifecycle, including software development, deployment, and operation of central controller gateway and in-vehicle infotainment systems.
“We expect that this collaboration will lead to a global collaboration system that will improve scalability and efficiency for development in the ever-evolving automotive landscape,” said Jung Soo-Kyung, executive vice president of Hyundai Mobis.
“Software is at the center of enabling the reality of a more connected and autonomous future,” said Avijit Sinha, president, Wind River. “Wind River Studio can help automotive leaders such as Hyundai Mobis achieve a modernized development framework across cloud and edge combined with advanced software lifecycle management capability to enable them to accelerate their innovation and carve a path to future success.”
Wind River Studio provides a cloud-native platform for the development, deployment, operations, and servicing of mission-critical intelligent systems. It delivers a full lifecycle management platform for intelligent systems at cloud scale. Studio enables development workflows that reduce development costs and accelerate capabilities for building, testing, and deploying on the edge.
indie Semi & Ficosa
indie Semiconductor, Inc. (Nasdaq: INDI), an Autotech solutions innovator, and Ficosa, a leading global company dedicated to the research, development, production, and marketing of advanced vision, safety and efficiency solutions for the automotive industry, have executed a collaboration agreement to develop and commercialize automotive camera solutions deploying neural network-based (NN) artificial intelligence (AI) processing.
The partnership will leverage Ficosa’s near decade-long expertise as a high-volume vision solution supplier, and indie’s field-proven, proprietary vision processing technology to deliver breakthrough imaging and in-camera object detection performance, particularly for challenging edge sensing applications. The companies intend to sample the first smart camera solutions employing their combined technologies in 2024, and expect to ramp into volume production by 2025.
Government regulators and new car safety assessment programs (like US and Euro NCAP) are increasingly seeking to specify protection for vulnerable road users (VRU) such as pedestrians and cyclists, especially for back-up and eMirror scenarios. In fact, Euro NCAP has implemented VRU safety test protocol since 2020, and in the United States the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) has this year proposed updates to NCAP to provide consumers with information about crashworthiness and pedestrian protection of new vehicles. As a result, Automakers are demanding volume scalable camera-based Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) solutions that provide not just passive viewing capability, but also intelligent sensing to actively detect pedestrians. According to S&P Global, shipments of surround view and park assist camera electronic control units (ECUs) are projected to grow from 134 million units in 2023 to 240 million units by 2033.
“As a leading supplier of cameras to the world’s largest vehicle OEMs, Ficosa brings deep expertise and industrialization capabilities to this exciting collaboration with indie to develop the next generation of smart cameras deploying NN-based detection and improve safety levels for both vehicle occupants and other road users” said Josep Maria Forcadell, CTO of Ficosa. “Ficosa’s relentless focus on developing robust camera solutions with the highest image quality and volume scalability is well matched to indie’s innovative vision processing technologies.”
“indie is thrilled to partner with Ficosa, leveraging our next generation of Computer Vision solutions that integrate not only high performance image signal processing but also the dedicated AI elements required for neural networks,” said Abhay Rai, EVP and GM of indie’s Vision Business Unit. “The camera solutions of today either deploy classical vision algorithms, with limited detection performance across challenging environmental conditions, or rely upon power-hungry host processing for object detection. indie’s NN-based AI vision solutions can enable improved detection with ultra-low power in a compact form factor for these real-world edge sensing scenarios. As a result, Ficosa and indie are well positioned to capitalize on the rapid proliferation of smart cameras solutions around the vehicle.”
Super MOSFETs from AOS
Alpha and Omega Semiconductor Limited (AOS) (Nasdaq: AOSL), a designer, developer, and global supplier of a broad range of discrete power devices, wide band gap power devices, power management ICs, and modules, announced the release of two αMOS5™ 600V FRD Super Junction MOSFETs. αMOS5™ is AOS’s market and application-proven high voltage MOSFET platform, designed to meet the high efficiency and high-density needs of servers, workstations, telecom rectifiers, solar Inverters, EV charging, motor drives and industrial power applications.
The design of today’s mid-high power switched-mode power supply (SMPS) and solar inverter systems boil down to four major challenges – higher efficiency, higher density, lower system costs, and uncompromised robustness. High Voltage Super Junction MOSFETs are the dominant choice for topologies such as single/interleaved/dual boost/CrCM TP PFCs, LLC, PSFB, multi-level NPC/ANPC and so forth.
αMOS5™ has been the leading High Voltage Super Junction solution tailored for fast switching, ease-of-use and robustness in mission-critical applications. αMOS5™ FRD FETs are engineered with strong intrinsic body diode to handle hard commutation scenarios, when the freewheeling body diode is in reverse recovery due to abnormal operations, such as short-circuit or start-up transients. The two products released, the AOK095A60FD (TO-247) and AOTF125A60FDL (TO-220F), are 600V FRD FETs with 95mohm and 125mohm maximum Rdson, respectively. In tests conducted by AOS engineers, the body diodes of these two FRD FETs have survived high di/dt, under abnormal system conditions, even at elevated junction temperatures of up to 150°C. Additionally, AOS tests have shown that these devices’ turn off energy (Eoff) are noticeably lower than the competition’s, which contributes to higher efficiency in light or mid-load conditions.
“We defined our products for traditional power supplies, as well as DC/DC and DC/AC converters of solar inverters and ESS systems, where bi-directional topologies are needed. As energy storage-ready inverters become the trend and high voltage batteries are utilized increasingly in AC-coupled systems, the AOK095A60FD and AOTF125A60FDL will become industry leading solutions for bi-directional DC/DC and inverter/PFC applications that serve a wide range of power supplies, solar PV inverters, and ESS hybrid converters,” said Richard Zhang, Senior Director of Product Line and Global Power Supply Business at AOS.
Technical Highlights
- Rugged, fast recovery diode (FRD) with reduced Qrr for demanding use cases
- Engineered for both hard and soft switching topologies with ultra-low switching loss
- Strong UIS and SOA capabilities
- Engineered to prevent self turn-on
- Suitable for LLC, PSFB, CrCM Totem-Pole, Multi-level NPC and CrCM H-4/Cyclo Inverter applications
Pricing and Availability
The AOK095A60FD (600V 95mohm TO-247) is immediately available in production quantities with a lead time of 16 weeks. The unit price in 1,000-piece quantities is $3.75.
The AOTF125A60FDL (600V 125mohm TO-220F) is immediately available in production quantities with a lead time of 16 weeks. The unit price in 1,000-piece quantities is $3.22.
About AOS
Alpha and Omega Semiconductor Limited, or AOS, is a designer, developer, and
Mapbox for Toyota
Mapbox, a leading provider of innovative mapping, navigation, and location-based technologies, today announced that the Toyota Motor Corporation (TOYOTA), the automotive manufacturer, will integrate Mapbox software within its in-vehicle navigation systems.
The Mapbox platform supports the custom development and fast rendering of digital maps for the new TOYOTA car navigation system. The high-performance maps provide drivers with relevant information in a modern and easy-to-understand visual interface, the design of which can be updated quickly and remotely.
The Mapbox platform provides TOYOTA with an efficient way to render beautiful maps within the in-car navigation system. The result is an intuitive map experience, akin to the experience of a smartphone, with a map view that smoothly rotates, zooms in and out, and adjusts displayed information dynamically in response to vehicle location, navigation along a route, or user interactions.
In addition to performance enhancements, drivers will notice updates to the visual design of the TOYOTA in-car maps. Mapbox maps can be entirely customized to any brand or use case, from precise control over colors and fonts, to the ability to create and emphasize particular points of interest that are relevant for users. In the case of TOYOTA, engineers and designers have tailored the visual appearance of the in-car maps to improve driver experience and align with design standards for each vehicle model and brand.
In-car navigation systems are undergoing dramatic improvements as automakers like TOYOTA invest in infotainment systems and navigation enhancements. Modern map design and seamless rendering is now an essential, and expected, part of the driver experience. Automakers expect map technology that displays buildings precisely, includes rich peripheral information such as stores and points of interest, and is continuously updated with the latest map data.
CerebrumX & One Step GPS
CerebrumX Labs Inc. (CerebrumX), an AI-driven automotive data platform company, announces a strategic partnership with One Step GPS, a leading provider of precise GPS tracking solutions for fleets.
By leveraging CerebrumX’s AI-driven Augmented Deep Learning Platform (ADLP) and One Step GPS’ suite of fleet monitoring tools this collaboration delivers a sophisticated solution catering to the dynamic demands of fleet management and provides fleets with advanced real-time vehicle tracking, driver monitoring, quick vehicle dispatching, fuel cost monitoring, vehicle service reminders, custom reporting, and more solutions to optimize fleet performance.
The new partnership also provides fleets with higher quality data, superior datasets, heightened accuracy, reduced downtime, and eliminated risk of data transmission loss. The result is significantly boosted operational efficiency, improving a fleet’s customer satisfaction through precise and intelligent data-informed fleet management insights.
“We look forward to our joint effort with One Step GPS to offer fleet businesses unparalleled capabilities and insights”, said Sandip Ranjhan, CEO at CerebrumX. “By combining the power of our AI-powered platform with One Step GPS, we are creating a solution that enhances the experience along with optimizing the operational cost of fleets.”
“Among the biggest problems real-time data can solve for fleets of all sizes is the lack of visibility managers have over drivers and company vehicles. A partnership with CerebrumX means we can give more visibility to fleet pros and solve real problems they face every day like driver safety, operational inflation, asset security, and planning for electrification”, said Adam Ben Jacob, CEO of One Step GPS.
One Step GPS’ fleet tracking devices offer easy plug-in installation, 2-60 seconds updating, and text and email alerts to keep fleet managers continually aware of the status of their fleet vehicles, and provides a single platform where managers can see their entire fleet, and the behavior of each driver, in real time. CerebrumX brings the power of embedded data to this tracking solution with real-time monitoring and route optimization, faster and more targeted repairs, detailed insights on driver profiles, geofence alerts, EV charging optimization, and more.
CerebrumX and One Step GPS are committed to driving innovation in fleet management, enabling businesses to stay ahead of the curve in an increasingly competitive landscape. The joint solution empowers fleet managers to make informed decisions, optimize resources, and deliver an exceptional experience to the ultimate end user; their customers.
aiSIM from aiMotive with AutoGI
In a groundbreaking move, aiMotive introduces aiSim 5, heralding a new era of automated driving simulation infused with cutting-edge Automotive General Intelligence (AutoGI). This latest release transforms simulation dynamics with a deterministic and reproducible environment, shaping the future of automotive innovation.
Introducing the aiSim AIR engine
The cornerstone of aiSim 5 is aiSim AIR, a performance powerhouse for multi-sensor simulation. Offering high-quality synthetic sensor data while optimizing resource usage, aiSim AIR introduces features such as high parallelism, reduced memory footprint, balanced workloads, and asynchronous data transfer – while keeping all the benefits of previous aiSim generations, such as ISO26262 compliance, complete determinism, enabling seamless transitioning between real-time Hardware-in-the-Loop (HiL) to Software-in-the-Loop (SiL). aiSim AIR incorporates rasterization, raytracing, and AI-based rendering techniques to apply state-of-the-art technologies like Neural Radiance Fields (NeRF) and 3D Gaussian splatting to bring the virtual worlds even closer to reality.
Synthetic data generation on another level, with aiFab
aiSim has already been the most flexible ADAS & AD simulator with open interfaces for scenario and content injection and manipulation. It got even better by providing an intuitive user interface, aiFab, fully integrated into the aiSim workflow. aiFab redefines smart scenario creation with features like scenario variation, detailed statistics, and an intuitive user interface. Leveraging large language model-based techniques, aiFab simplifies environment and scenario creation, making smart scenarios more accessible than ever.
Easy to use and easy to adapt
aiSim 5 prioritizes accessibility and adaptability. Equipped with open APIs for sensors, scenario & map management, vehicle dynamics, and a complete SDK with example codes on multiple platforms, it seamlessly integrates with industry-standard toolchains. Compatible with ROS2, Autoware, FMU, and ASAM’s OpenCRG, OpenSCENARIO, OpenDRIVE, and OpenMATERIAL, aiSim 5 offers unprecedented interoperability with other tools. Moreover, intuitive Graphical User Interface (GUI) and web deployment.
Endorsed by the industry
aiSim 5 has gained the trust of automotive industry leaders, including autonomous trucking companies, large traditional automakers, and electric car OEMs. Cementing strategic partnerships with Foretellix, Mathworks, Macnica, HongKe, NI, dSpace, and B-Plus, aiSim 5 showcases its versatility with diverse use cases, such as camera simulation and sensor data injection.
“aiSim 5 is a milestone, combining AGI with deterministic simulation,” said Daniel Tosoki, aiSim Product Director. “Its impact on the industry is profound, offering an unparalleled bridge between innovation and reliability. The integration of AutoGI not only propels the boundaries of what’s achievable in automotive simulation but also reinforces our commitment to shaping the future of mobility. In an era demanding cutting-edge technology and dependable solutions, aiSim 5 emerges as a catalyst for unprecedented advancements in the autonomous driving landscape.”
Magna & NorthStar
Magna, a leading global mobility technology company, is enhancing its automated driving capabilities by joining NorthStar – Telia Sweden and Ericsson’s 5G innovation program for industrial enterprises. As part of the agreement, Telia and Ericsson have built a dedicated, private 5G network at Magna’s test track located in Vårgårda, Sweden, where new cutting-edge Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) solutions in vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-everything (V2X) connectivity are being trialed.
As part of NorthStar, Magna will have access to 5G millimeter wave (mmWave) technology, enabling low latency gigabit speeds and seamless connectivity for new ADAS trials. Additionally, the use of mmWave technology enables ongoing research into joint sensing and communication systems.
“By utilizing the latest advancements in mobile networks, we are able to accelerate the automotive domain by offering sensor enhancements and as a result offer more capable and competitive ADAS products,” said Bill Snider, President of Electronics.
“Our focus is not only on meeting challenging technical requirements, but also on developing products that can help anticipate critical situations to prevent accidents, ultimately making the roads safer for all.”
Magna’s test track will feature the 5G network, delivering gigabits data speeds and ultra-low latency. Leveraging the 26GHz frequency band and 400MHz bandwidth, this network is crucial for Magna’s driving automation and driver support systems, which rely on real-time data from vehicle sensors. Fast network speeds and quick response times are essential for timely alerts to drivers, preventing accidents, and minimizing their impact.
NorthStar’s 5G network is powered by Ericsson dual-mode 5G Core, which connects to Telia’s existing public 5G network. This interconnectivity will enable Magna to benefit from high-speed connectivity across large geographical areas.
“As an industry leader in ADAS technologies, Magna is exactly the kind of company we envisioned joining us when we started the NorthStar program,” said Magnus Leonhardt, Head of innovation and strategy at Telia Sweden’s enterprise business unit. “The solutions they develop are based on the premise that vehicles and road users can share data in near real-time. To achieve that requires ultra-fast and reliable connectivity that you can trust, and that is precisely what 5G has been developed for. This is a great opportunity to really push the boundaries of 5G and the millimeter wave technology.”
Magna’s ADAS technology supports driver safety by effectively reducing the risk of serious accidents or preventing them altogether by controlling steering, brakes, and acceleration. By integrating the driver’s needs and environment, Magna creates an exceptional driving experience. These advanced technologies pave the way for future autonomous driving and new mobility solutions.
“We are thrilled to have Magna joining NorthStar and to continue to put the power of 5G in the hands of global leaders within the automotive industry. Ericsson’s 5G mmWave technology enables a broad set of use cases with its low latency and very high speeds that will be key for new time-sensitive safety applications”, said Nora Wahby, Head of Northern and Central Europe, at Ericsson.