Connected Car News: Toshiba, Microchip, Ansys, HARMAN, Argus Cyber Security, Fisker, Mercedes-Benz, Nikola & Uber Freight

In connected car news are Toshiba, Microchip, Ansys, HARMAN, Argus Cyber Security, Fisker, Mercedes-Benz, Nikola and Uber Freight.

More MOSEFTs from Toshiba

Toshiba Electronics Europe GmbH (“Toshiba”) announces the availability of two more -60V.P-channel MOSFETs based upon their U-MOS VI process. This will expand their range of devices that are suitable for use in automotive applications such as load switches, semiconductor relays and motor drives.

The new XPH8R316MC and XPH13016MC are already qualified to meet AEC-Q101 – the automotive reliability standard. As part of this, they are housed in an SOP Advance(WF) package – a surface mount style with a wettable flank terminal structure. This facilitates automated optical inspection (AOI) of the solder joints – key to reliability in harsh automotive environments. An additional advantage is the copper connectivity within the package that reduces package resistance, improves efficiency and reduces heat build-up.

The XPH8R316MC is rated for -90A continuous drain current (ID) and the XPH13016MC is rated for an ID of -60A. The pulsed drain current (IDP) is double these values, -180A and -120A, respectively. Both devices are rated for a drain-source voltage (VDSS) of -60V and are capable of operating at channel temperatures (Tch) up to 175ºC.

The maximum drain-source on-resistance (RDS(ON)) of the XPH8R316MC is 8.3mΩ, which is approximately 25% lower than Toshiba’s existing TPCA8123. For the XPH13016MC, the value is 12.9mΩ, approximately 49% lower than the TPCA8125. These highly reduced values of RDS(ON) contribute significantly to reducing power consumption within automotive applications.

The new devices are in mass production.

Microchip Certified ISO/SAE 21434

“Security is a core pillar at Microchip and the ISO/SAE 21434 certification is proof of our dedication to maintaining high standards in automotive cybersecurity,” said Matthias Kaestner, corporate vice president of Microchip’s automotive business. “Our customers can be confident that Microchip is a trusted security advisor with the appropriate expertise to guide them through their automotive cybersecurity design journey.”

While each OEM is responsible for proving compliance at the vehicle level, ISO/SAE 21434 encourages all companies in the production ecosystem to play a role in proactively helping manage cybersecurity threats. Customers utilizing electronic control units that incorporate Microchip’s security products, designed within the ISO/SAE 21434 certified process framework, can be relieved of the arduous task of reviewing thousands of pages of process documentation to determine compliance. This reduces the burden placed on Tier-1s and OEMs to prove they have a strong foundation in security.

Ansys Intros Fluent Web UI

Ansys (NASDAQ: ANSS)  announced Fluent Web UI, a web-based technology that enables users to remotely access simulations from any device. Fluent Web UI provides an interface for Ansys Fluent™, an industry-leading CFD solver with native GPUs that can speed time-to-result by almost 10x. Users are now able to run, control, and monitor simulations on the cloud or on-premises high-performance computing clusters. The streamlined interface delivers pervasive insights significantly faster for a wide range of CFD applications, including automotive under-hood heat transfer, gas turbine simulations, and external aerodynamics for aerospace applications.

Building on Ansys’ cloud initiatives, Fluent Web UI complements other offerings to provide users with a comprehensive suite of tools, from design to validation. For instance, Ansys Discovery™ Burst relies on fast-scaling clusters of GPUs to facilitate expansive, early design exploration that helps designers identify optimal designs faster, reducing the need for physical prototyping. Moreover, users can leverage the power of generative artificial intelligence (AI) with the new Ansys SimAI™ tool to rapidly explore additional designs within a given design envelope, getting results within minutes. SimAI is a pure software-as-a-service offering that supports an open ecosystem and is approachable for users without deep learning expertise.

“Our ability to harness the power of Ansys Fluent native GPU solver has saved us considerable time while using a fraction of the typical hardware resources,” said Francesco Manara, aerodynamics specialist, Leonardo Helicopters “For example, we wanted to assess the external aerodynamics for airframe loads — a resource-intensive simulation — with the same reliability as the traditional Ansys CPU solver. With the native GPU solver, we ran our model 2.6 times faster using only one-third of the hardware resources compared with the CPU solver.”

“Our customers can leverage our native GPU solvers and AI solutions in the cloud or on premise to realize significant time-saving benefits across industry applications from automotive to aerospace,” said Shane Emswiler, senior vice president of products at Ansys. “It’s no secret that CFD simulations can be incredibly time and resource-intensive, but our customers are working against tight timelines that have little room for error. The seamless connectivity that Fluent Web UI will help keep complex projects on track, while empowering designers to make better decisions as they monitor the simulation in real time from any device.”

HARMAN Joins Eclipse SDV Working Group

To shape the industry-wide effort to build a vendor-agnostic, open source ecosystem focused on creating the foundation for a new era in automotive, HARMAN today announced it has joined the Eclipse Software Defined Vehicle (SDV) Working Group at The Eclipse Foundation.

The automotive industry is undergoing a profound shift towards a true SDV-driven design process. This transformative approach introduces a myriad of benefits, including faster time-to-market, new sources of revenue, and innovative service models. The Eclipse SDV Working Group is at the forefront of this evolution, providing a vendor-neutral forum for individuals and organizations to collaborate. Members are actively working together to create open-source software to support comprehensive in-vehicle and around-the-vehicle systems development, including immersive in-cabin experiences. The Eclipse SDV open-source foundation model offers flexibility, agility, and cost-savings in a collaborative environment, uniting a diverse set of leaders from the automotive, software, and cloud industries.

Backed by decades of experience in both the automotive and consumer tech spaces, HARMAN Automotive is uniquely positioned to foster this software-driven transformation. The introduction of cloud-native technologies to vehicles is a key milestone to shape a new era of Consumer Experiences. Automotive Grade. HARMAN, with its unique positioning in intelligent cockpit solutions, can play a key role in empowering industry leaders to adopt these technologies and sharing best practices within the Eclipse SDV Working Group. Initially, HARMAN will be contributing to various Eclipse SDV Working Group projects, like Eclipse Ibeji, which provides the capability to express a digital representation of a vehicle state through an extensible and dynamic architecture to model and access the vehicle hardware, sensors and capabilities. Furthermore, HARMAN is preparing to publish unique contributions like automotive-grade container runtimes and cloud services for connected experiences.

“We are thrilled to join The Eclipse Foundation’s SDV Working Group, which will play a key role in influencing the next generation of vehicles,” said Heiko Hüttel, Vice President of Software Products at HARMAN. “Thanks to our unmatched relationship with Samsung to develop the experiences consumers want from their vehicles, HARMAN is the only automotive technology company with the expertise to guide innovation and deliver consumer experiences at an automotive grade. Together, with the Eclipse Foundation and other participants, we look forward to collaborating across industries to accelerate the transformation of Software Defined Vehicles.”

“It’s difficult to overstate the industry momentum behind the Eclipse Software Defined Vehicle Working Group,” said Mike Milinkovich, executive director for the Eclipse Foundation. “The diversity of our members is a big part of our strength and lends itself to our capacity for delivering industry-wide innovation. Technology vendors, cloud providers, system integrators, and automotive giants are working together to transform how automotive software is built. HARMAN’s leadership in connected technologies will be critical in achieving our shared vision.”

With The Eclipse Foundation being at the forefront of open source-based developer experiences and playing a key role in shaping the unique opportunity with the SDV Working Group, HARMAN is committed to building world-class in-vehicle experiences and helping its customers to thrive in such ecosystems where collaboration is key to future success.

“As a founding member of the SDV working group, this is a full circle moment and an initiative that is close to my heart,” Hüttel added. “The Software Defined Vehicle is not a trend — it’s a reality — and HARMAN is positioned to lead the transformation of automotive software efforts forward.”

To learn more about HARMAN’s involvement with the Eclipse SDV Working Group, visit developer.harman.com.////

Argus Cyber Security for Fisker

Argus Cyber Security, a world leader in automotive cyber security, announced that it has delivered multiple automotive cyber security products and services to Fisker Inc. (Fisker), a pioneering EV manufacturer driven by a mission to create the world’s most emotional and sustainable electric vehicles. In particular, the Argus CAN IDPS product has enabled Fisker to achieve type approval certification for its revolutionary Fisker Ocean all-electric SUV product line.

OEMs and EV manufacturers of all sizes are ramping up their cyber security capabilities to help them comply with automotive cyber security regulations, including global directives like UNR 155, ISO/SAE 21434 and Chinese GB/T. UNR 155 requires OEMs to monitor incidents and risks to their vehicle fleets over the entire lifecycle. More specific UNR 155 and China’s GB/T vehicle cybersecurity standards, stipulates detailed intrusion detection requirements and use cases for monitoring CAN bus networks.

“Compliance with UNR 155 and China’s GB/T standards was a key component for our product launch strategy, including European and other non-US markets that require cyber security type approval” said Alexander Bermudez, CISO and DPO at Fisker. “Argus understands the cyber security needs of the high-growth EV market, and we relied on their expertise and guidance to ensure a successful CAN IDPS implementation.

“The EV market represents the future of mobility, and Fisker is clearly at the cutting-edge of sustainable automotive technology,” said Zeev Farkash, Argus VP Sales. “Our CAN IDPS product will be integrated on all Fisker Ocean SUVs, providing a key component in Fisker’s vehicle cybersecurity architecture and thereby enabling Fisker to meet automotive cyber security regulations in the relevant markets.”

Using real-time, rule-based analysis of CAN traffic, Argus CAN IDPS enables Fisker to identify potential threats and anomalies, including new threats specific to EVs, and proactively mitigate risks before they impact vehicle operations. In the testing phase, Fisker and Argus validated anomalies to minimize false-positives in production, which in turn reduces the volume of events sent to the backend (VSOC) system.

In parallel to the CAN IDPS deployment, Argus’ services team assisted Fisker with security certification for the integration of Amazon Alexa within the Fisker Ocean IVI system. Argus is the first automotive-focused security vendor to be certified by Amazon as an authorized security lab for Alexa auto integration

Little Women Dummies for MBZ

he is about 1.5 meters tall, weighs 49 kilogrammes and, in dummies of the newest generation, has numerous sensors on various body parts with up to 150 measuring points. For 20 years now, the so-called ‘fifth percentile female’ has been a driver, front passenger and rear passenger in Mercedes-Benz frontal crash tests – and is an equal to the traditional male dummy, the Hybrid III 50[1]. This means the company introduced the Hybrid III 5th Percentile Female dummy even before it was officially required by law. The dummy replicates the female anthropometry with female breasts and pelvic bones. According to underlying statistics, only five percent of American women are smaller or lighter. Today, ratings from consumer protection associations and various laws around the world include specifications for testing with fifth percentile female dummies. Another type of dummy that Mercedes-Benz has used in crash tests for two decades is the SID-II female dummy. With an anatomy similar to that of the Hybrid III 5, it has been designed specifically for side impact tests. Unlike in the USA, however, its use is not yet required by law in Europe.

Nikola Adopts What3Words

Nikola Corporation (Nasdaq: NKLA), a global leader in zero-emissions transportation and energy supply and infrastructure solutions, via the HYLA brand, is breaking new ground as the first commercial vehicle in North America to integrate what3words, a precise location technology that aims to provide confidence in Nikola customers in the accuracy of their addresses, ensuring timely deliveries and an exceptional customer experience.

Navigating large sites and industrial parks can often be a daunting task for drivers due to multiple entrances and vague delivery zones lacking specific addresses, resulting in delayed deliveries. what3words offers a revolutionary solution, providing an easy way to identify precise locations.  The system has divided the globe into a grid of 10ft squares and assigned each a unique combination of three words: known as a what3words address. This means every warehouse entrance, drop off point and tucked-away delivery door has its own unique what3words address. This integration is expected to enhance the driver experience by providing a concise and accurate method for location input and will also seek to simplify location entry via voice or text, offering a forward-looking advantage.

This advanced technology will be incorporated into Nikola’s Class 8 zero-emission trucks in 2024, setting a new standard for precision and performance in the industry and further demonstrating Nikola’s ability to integrate progressive features and improvements over-the-air.

“In the commercial vehicle landscape, precision is paramount to avoid delays and disruptions,” says Mary Chan, Nikola Chief Operating Officer. “This strategic partnership underscores our commitment to innovation by elevating the standard for commercial vehicle navigation and speaks to our dedication to customer-centric solutions. The added benefit of simplifying location entry, whether through voice or text, further solidifies our commitment to providing a seamless and efficient experience for our drivers.”

“what3words has been shown to significantly improve both delivery accuracy and customer experience – benefitting drivers and customers alike,” comments Chris Sheldrick, Co-Founder and CEO of what3words. “This integration is illustrative of Nikola’s commitment to enabling exceptional delivery experiences across the U.S., and we look forward to seeing our technology live in their vehicles soon.”///

Uber Freight Intros API

Uber Freight, the leading end-to-end enterprise suite powering intelligent logistics, announced a piloted rollout of a new scheduling application programming interface (API), making it the first activation of the Scheduling Standards Consortium’s (SSC) Technical Standard for the industry. The new API, designed for Uber Freight’s transportation management systems (TMS), offers enhanced scheduling capabilities and fosters seamless communication across its network of shippers and carriers. The active pilot is set to be fully released for general availability in the second half of 2024.

Across the industry, scheduling inefficiency not only contributes to a significant cost in servicing the load, but also causes delays in getting appointments set and increases the lead time required to get the load serviced. To address this challenge, Uber Freight began testing its new scheduling API within the company’s brokerage business. The team saw early success in getting loads made available within the digital marketplace with zero human intervention, and loads are ready for coverage as much as 75% faster compared to manual scheduling. With today’s announcement, Uber Freight will enable automated scheduling within the Uber Freight TMS, which facilitated 6 million appointments across more than 1,500 facilities in 2023.

“Uber Freight’s scheduling API marks a significant leap forward in streamlining operations for all stakeholders in the freight ecosystem,” said Lior Ron, Founder and CEO of Uber Freight. “By seamlessly integrating with Uber Freight TMS, this innovation is just the beginning of transformative changes. Our customers and carriers stand to gain immediate advantages, experiencing faster appointment scheduling, increased visibility, and stronger partnerships. This development not only delivers tangible benefits but also reflects our commitment to drive positive change in the broader industry. It is the culmination of the great work carried out by the SSC and reinforces our dedication to providing efficiency, speed, and savings for everyone involved.”

Driving Efficiencies Across the Marketplace 
Uber Freight’s scheduling API empowers seamless integration between logistics technology platforms and carrier scheduling systems, eliminating manual processes and enhancing visibility across supply chains. The new feature delivers substantial benefits for both shippers and carriers, including:

For Shippers:

  • Faster appointment scheduling: Reduce lead times and expedite shipment preparation by streamlining the appointment booking process.
  • Increased visibility and control: Gain real-time insights into dock activity and manage appointments with ease, minimizing disruptions and rescheduling.
  • Enhanced carrier relationships: Foster stronger partnerships with carriers by providing a standardized, efficient and self-service scheduling experience.

For Carriers:

  • Simplified integrations: Eliminate the need for multiple logins and manual data entry through standardized API connections.
  • Improved appointment accuracy: Reduce errors and miscommunication with a single source of truth and centralizing scheduling data.
  • Increased operational efficiency: Helps optimize driver schedules and mitigate facility congestion by leveraging real-time facility data.

“Innovation and collaboration must go hand-in-hand to drive immediate and lasting impact and the partnerships and pilots that are emerging from the SSC are testament to that,” said Raj Subbiah, Head of Product at Uber Freight. “Together, we are helping carriers and shippers gain the speed, efficiency and savings they need to get and stay ahead with technology at the core.”