In connected car news are QNX, AWOS, Knowles, Wind River, Knowles, Applied Intuition, Porsche, C2A, Microsoft, Panasonic, Mazda, Google & Valeo.
QNX Opening Up Soon
John Wall at Automotive Computing Conference (ACC) stated that BlackBerry QNX plans to open source its QNX software portfolio in the coming months.
AWOS for Water Submersion
Roger C. Lanctot reports ton Linked in that lives could be saved in tragedies such as the Baltimore bridge collision with with crash notification equipment and the Automatic Window Opening System technology from AWOS Technologies in vehicles. It surely would have helped Angela Chao who drowned in a pond when when she accidentally backed into it while driving a Tesla.
EDLC from Knowles
Knowles Precision Devices, a segment of Knowles Corporation a leading global supplier of high performance components and solutions, announced its latest Electric Double Layer Capacitor (EDLC), or supercapacitor, modules are now available. Based on Knowles’ Cornell Dubilier brand DGH and DSF Series supercapacitors, these cutting-edge capacitors use a three-cell package for higher operating voltages and printed circuit board space savings.
Knowles Corporation acquired Cornell Dubilier in 2023 to expand its offering of high-quality film, electrolytic and mica capacitors. Like other supercapacitors offered by Knowles’ Cornell Dubilier brand, the new devices provide very fast power discharge that cannot be matched by conventional capacitors or batteries. That large capacity makes it possible to support brief power interruptions, supplement batteries, or even be used in place of batteries in many applications. These supercapacitors are ideal for applications including solar and wind energy harvesting, mechanical actuators, AGV (Automated Guided Vehicles), EV transportation power, smart utility meters, IoT, pulse battery pack alternatives, memory backup, battery/capacitor hybrids, UPS systems, emergency lighting, LED power, solar lighting or anywhere that significant energy storage is needed.
The new supercapacitors offer a notable jump in voltage rating over typical radial-mount supercapacitors, up to 9.0 WVDC. A key feature of the DGH and DSF Series additions is the unique three-cell radial-leaded package. Compared to single or dual-cell supercapacitors, the compact design saves space and allows for much higher operating voltages, making them ideal for a wider range of applications. Both series include capacitance values from 0.33 to 5 Farads. Multiple devices can be banked for even higher capacitance or voltage.
Another notable advantage of these supercapacitors is their internal cell balancing. This feature ensures optimal performance and serves as a production time saver. DGH and DSF Series three-cell supercapacitors are also more cost-effective than other options currently available.
From a performance standpoint, both series offer high energy density and extremely low self-discharge rates, benefiting energy storage applications. Both series are also tolerant of wide-ranging operational environments, with operating temperature ranges from -40 °C to +65 °C for DGH 8.1V/DSF 9.0V and -40 °C to +85 °C for DGH 6.9V/DSF 7.5V. Low equivalent series resistance (ESR) minimizes energy loss for high efficiency. ESR varies by part but is lower than most capacitors with similar storage capabilities. These supercapacitors are designed to withstand over 500,000 charge/discharge cycles, ensuring long-lasting performance without performance degradation. Operating life is expected to be up to 10 years.
Wind River Studio of AWS
-Wind River®, a global leader in delivering software for mission-critical intelligent systems, announced that it is advancing software-defined vehicle innovation with its cutting-edge Wind River Studio Developer offering, now available running on Amazon Web Services (AWS). The platform is being showcased at the Santa Clara AWS Prototyping and Innovation Lab.
Studio Developer is an edge-to-cloud, flexible and open DevOps platform that enables higher developer productivity, operational quality, and efficiency, along with faster time-to-market. Customers can install Studio on AWS and reap the benefits of cloud-scale automated build and test for safety-critical embedded edge platforms. On AWS, Studio combines the scalability and collaboration of the cloud with a broad range of applications and interfaces required for lifecycle management.
Running live now at the AWS Prototyping and Innovation Lab in Santa Clara, the two companies are demonstrating cloud-native development and deployment of software updates to the connected car. The automotive demo of Studio running on AWS showcases the benefits of increased productivity with an optimized end-to-end embedded software development experience. It takes a user through development, testing and deployment of applications for software-defined vehicles. Specifically, the Studio software leverages Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (Amazon EC2) and demonstrates building, testing, and deploying software to a vehicle while also showcasing the power of test automation, remote access to test devices, and over-the-air (OTA) updates.
A testament to Studio’s extensibility, the Wind River Studio demo integrates Amazon Q, a generative AI–powered assistant. Amazon Q can help users get fast, relevant answers to pressing questions, solve problems, generate content, and take actions. The demo currently connects via Amazon Q to Amazon CodeWhisperer, a general purpose, machine learning-powered code generator that provides users with code recommendations in real time, from AWS to the Studio development platform, to deliver AI-based code completion technologies to developers.
“The automotive industry is at an inflection point as it becomes increasingly software-defined, and we are proud to be demonstrating how our technologies are driving this innovation at the AWS Prototyping and Innovation Lab in Santa Clara,” said Avijit Sinha, president, Wind River. “By working together, we can offer a turnkey end-to-end solution running on AWS, catering to the full product lifecycle of automotive systems, as well as similar systems across the other mission-critical industries we serve.”
Wind River is a member of the AWS Partner Network (APN) and is also provisioning Amazon Machine Images (AMIs) for its edge portfolio in AWS Marketplace. This allows developers to get started within minutes on a cloud development environment for embedded devices, instead of needing to set up a local development environment on their own machines. The following from Wind River will be available in AWS Marketplace:
- The VxWorks® industry-leading real-time operating system (RTOS) running natively in the cloud on AWS Graviton2
- Wind River Linux, the industry’s most advanced embedded Linux development platform, with a comprehensive suite of products, tools, and lifecycle services to build and support intelligent edge devices
- The Wind River DevSecOps for the Intelligent Edge workshop for AWS customers interested in working with Wind River technologies
To see the live Wind River Studio and AWS connected car demo at the AWS Prototyping and Innovation Lab, email: StudioAWSdemo@windriver.com. For more information about Wind River’s work in automotive, visit: www.windriver.com/solutions/automotive.
Applied Intuition for Porsche AG
Applied Intuition, a Silicon Valley-based vehicle software supplier, today announced a strategic partnership with the German sports car manufacturer Porsche AG. The common goal is the joint development in different fields of automotive software while maintaining software ownership and reducing dependencies on black-box suppliers. This reduces complexity and increases implementation speed. The partnership helps Porsche utilize expertise to develop, deploy, and update vehicle software to provide unique consumer experiences.
“Software and AI development is very different from traditional hardware-driven automotive development,” said Qasar Younis, Co-Founder and CEO of Applied Intuition. “Integrating and updating different software and AI components can be especially challenging, and that is where our expertise comes in as an AI-first software company.”
In the latest generation of vehicles, software is becoming increasingly important. It is essential to regularly integrate and update software components purchased from different vendors. Porsche will use the solution along with software best practices and continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) processes to deploy and manage software to future vehicles through an off-board platform. An extensive set of tools supports end-to-end software validation, ranging from software-in-the-loop (SIL) to hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) and vehicle testing. The collaboration with Applied Intuition has enabled Porsche to design the software of its future vehicles with specific customer solutions.
C2A EVSec Gains
C2A Security’s DevSecOps Platform, “EVSec,” has been gaining widespread traction as the automotive industry rushes to meet cybersecurity regulations and industry standards, such as UN Regulation No. 155, ISO/SAE 21434, Chinese GB Standards, and others.
2024 is a pivotal year for cybersecurity regulations in the automotive industry, as UN Regulation No. 155 goes into full effect. C2A Security’s EVSec risk-driven product security platform allows developers to focus on creative features and manage software and operations at scale, in an automated manner. EVSec automates archaic manual processes and enables cross-functional sharing and collaboration between teams, customers, and supply chains while offering full digital twin capabilities. EVSec applies continuous feedback from product operations and vulnerabilities to improve development and design, as part of agile software development.
In 2023, C2A Security added multiple OEMs and Tier 1s to its portfolio of customers, successful evaluations, and partnerships such as BMW Group, Daimler Truck AG, Marelli, NTT Data, Siemens, and Valeo, among others.
The collaboration with C2A Security supports the customers on the applicable standards and best practices for regulatory compliance. EVSec maps and automates the relevant standards and regulations, like ISO/SAE 21434 and UN Regulation No. 155, to simplify compliance efforts, which are essential to business success, as companies forge new grounds for their vehicles, develop innovative EV-powered vehicles, and plan for the EV infrastructure that supports them.
“We’re thrilled that EVSec has proven so popular and effective, as companies like Daimler Truck AG choose it as its product security platform. Dealing with current and emerging regulatory demands, software development at scale and overall product security operations can be a limitation on business continuity of a company if not automated,” noted Roy Fridman, CEO, C2A Security. “At the end of 2023, we witnessed the first case of a premium car maker that stopped the sale of their most popular model in the European Union because it failed to comply with the regulation. To stay competitive companies must utilize advanced product security automation in their development and operations and we are excited to support them in achieving this goal.”
Microsoft Tech for ECARX
ECARX Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq: ECX) (“ECARX” or the “Company”), a global mobility technology provider, announced its use of Microsoft technology to strengthen the unique value proposition that global automakers can offer through their intelligent vehicles and drive innovation in intelligent vehicles. Harnessing the power of Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service and Azure Cloud Computing Services, ECARX will develop and deploy with Microsoft innovative products and solutions that seamlessly integrate cutting-edge large language models (LLMs) into a growing number of vehicles globally.
The recent emergence of LLMs has created exciting new opportunities that are transforming the industry and will allow global automakers to offer significantly enhanced intelligent cockpits and autonomous driving solutions. ECARX intends to maximize the business and technological synergies created by this use of Microsoft technology to capitalize on these opportunities.
Ziyu Shen, co-founder, Chairman, and CEO of ECARX, said, “We are thrilled to integrate Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service and Azure Cloud Computing Services into our automotive solutions. This use of Microsoft technology will enable us to create groundbreaking products that seamlessly blend vehicle and cloud technologies, offering advanced intelligence and connectivity. By integrating LLMs into our products and solutions, we will significantly improve the overall user experience and facilitate the evolution of intelligent cockpit for automakers. Ultimately, our vision is to provide safer, smarter, and more enjoyable and efficient travel experiences for drivers worldwide.”
Yang Hou, Chairman and CEO of Microsoft Greater China Region, said, “Microsoft is a strong supporter of innovative companies like ECARX that are thinking outside the box as they drive the transformation of an industry with unique products and services. We are committed to leveraging our global innovation ecosystem and capabilities to support ECARX and its customers in their pursuit of intelligent innovation.”
Panasonic Displays in Mazda CX-70
Full-display meters from Panasonic Automotive Systems Co., Ltd. (President & Representative Director, CEO: Masashi Nagayasu, Head office: Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture) are installed in Mazda Motor Corporation’s (Mazda) CX-70 (launched in Spring 2024). The Mazda CX-70 will be the third Mazda passenger vehicle to feature our full-display meters.
The full-display meter is a system that uses a large 12.3-inch display to show the driver graphics of a vehicle’s conditions, such as speed and warnings. The graphics change according to the vehicle conditions to display timely and appropriate information, helping drivers feel safer and more secure while on the road.
The full-display meters installed in the Mazda CX-70 are high quality, as befits a premium vehicle, and take full advantage of the advanced graphics technologies developed by our company for multimedia products and in-vehicle navigation systems to create 3D graphics that are easy for the driver to see and recognize when driving.
Product Features
1. 3D stereoscopic image with high-quality graphics
High-definition high-resolution displays are installed to provide high-quality graphics with a sense of three-dimensionality and depth.
Every moment that the driver is in the car, the system not only displays easy-to-understand information but also helps enhance the value of the car through beautiful 3D images.
2. Mode display according to driving scenario
The display can switch to a number of screen modes depending on the driver’s preference and the car’s driving conditions.
Seamless animated transitions provide a variety of driving experiences while maintaining safety.
- Sport Mode
- EV Mode
- Driving Assist System Information Screen
Panasonic strives to take the leading position in the field of full-display meters, which are expected to see widespread use in the future. Leveraging the strength gained by developing and delivering full-display meters, Panasonic will contribute to the creation of safe, secure, and comfortable driving environments.
Google Cloud & Valeo
Valeo, a world leader in mobility technologies, announced an expansion of its partnership with Google Cloud to develop new generative AI tools and solutions. Together, the two companies will work on cloud-based best practices and innovations, aiming to address the customer’s specific challenges with greater efficiency and nuance.
Beyond boosting productivity
The use of Google Cloud’s gen AI solutions will help enable Valeo teams to speed up and simplify every facet of the digital innovation process within the company, with the potential for not just more responsive product development, but also end-to-end efficiency gains throughout its operations. For example, Valeo plans to add Google Cloud’s AI solutions to the toolbox its software developer teams use to create, fix, optimize, and test code, so that it can be done faster and more productively. Valeo will also expand its use of Google Cloud’s gen AI capabilities to increase efficiency and insight across its entire software engineering lifecycle—from requirements analysis, to architecture design, to test case generation.
Other areas of collaboration between the two companies will include deploying gen AI tools to support higher productivity in vehicle design, production, and equipment integration, as well as quality assurance and customer service. As part of the agreement, Valeo will also use new gen AI tools developed by Google Cloud with its customers in the automotive industry, sharing useful feedback to optimize the solutions.
Finally, under the expanded agreement, Valeo will gain early access to Google Cloud’s latest generative AI technologies, allowing it to embed generative AI faster and more seamlessly into its software engineering processes.
Already a partner of Google Cloud for its infrastructure, data, and collaboration offerings, Valeo conducted a hackathon in 2023 on gen AI use cases among its employees with the support of Google Cloud. The hackathon uncovered numerous new use cases for Google Cloud’s gen AI technology across engineering, project management, knowledge management, and industrial maintenance.