Now is an exciting time for the automotive industry. A range of new technologies have matured at the same time, creating fantastic opportunities for innovations. With manufacturers taking advantage of the latest developments, the future of driving will change significantly. In this article, we will look at some key trends and how they will influence the way we travel in the future.
Vehicle Connectivity
For decades, in-vehicle systems have not been able to share information with the outside world. The latest wireless connectivity changes this and has created a new acronym in the automotive world—C-V2X, which stands for “cellular vehicle-to-X,” sometimes known as vehicle to everything. Many modern vehicles are employing in-car sensors to create a picture of the environment around them, using this information to help navigate and avoid potential hazards. C-V2X technology allows vehicles to share the information gathered with other road users, including other vehicles, pedestrians with 5G smartphones and traffic control infrastructure.
This sharing of data over the network will allow other road users to make split-second decisions to improve traffic flow and avoid accidents. The U.S. Department of Transportation estimates that if C-V2X technology were to be widely adopted, road traffic accidents potentially could be reduced by more than 13%. The key to making this system reach its potential is the speed of response. Vehicles must be equipped with high-speed computing systems that can process and then act upon the huge volume of information that is collected by sensors. The data will often need to be transmitted to communication networks and infrastructure outside the vehicle. This requires edge computing—deploying sophisticated computing equipment close to the point of need. This means that cars are becoming their own little data centers, gathering and processing huge amounts of data onboard to keep latency to a minimum. A fully functioning C-V2X network is vital to this rapid sharing of information. The latest 5G infrastructure, including connectors and antennae, enables data sharing at the highest possible speeds.
eMobility and Electrification
Battery-powered vehicles are not new, but the recent growth of electric and hybrid technology has created huge changes in the automotive industry. We are being encouraged to reduce or eliminate our need for fossil fuels, and electric vehicles will play a large role in achieving this goal.
One of the barriers to full adoption of electric vehicles is convenience. To make them attractive to drivers, manufacturers need to make electric vehicles that are as convenient and simple to use as gasoline-powered cars. The best electric vehicles of today can travel between 200 and 300 miles. Before electric cars can “compete” with conventional vehicles, though, this range needs to increase to match the performance of gasoline-powered vehicles. Full adoption will also require the development of a charging infrastructure that rivals the convenience of accessing fossil fuels. Manufacturers and governments recognize that encouraging drivers to adopt electric vehicles will involve both improved battery performance and conveniently located rapid-charging stations.
The latest connectivity technology is playing a key role in breaking these barriers to the adoption of electric vehicles. Charging stations are becoming a common sight during our travels while homes and parking lots are increasingly equipped to power electric vehicles. In this way, once using an electric vehicle becomes as easy as using a gas-fueled one, the electric vehicle’s true benefits—including low operating costs, reduced environment impact and greater reliability—will become undeniable We will be well on our way to creating a better environment for the future.
In-Vehicle Experience
The automotive industry recognizes that the car of the future will be a “third living space.” The time spent in our cars will be eclipsed only by the time spent at home or work, and so manufacturers are designing them to be safe and appealing spaces.
Infotainment systems have come a long way since the first in-car radios were introduced. They have evolved far beyond those early developments and no longer simply provide entertainment for the driver. Instead, the use of touchscreens and dynamic controls means that these systems perform a central role in the operation of the car.
Additionally, the latest advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) combine sensor inputs with head-up displays that offer advances in augmented reality. These will allow a range of information, including navigation commands and road hazards, to be projected onto the real-world view of the driver, and thereby improve situational awareness and safety.
These technologies will create a calming, enjoyable and safe environment that is central to the third living space concept. This will go beyond the domestic market and allow operators of commercial and industrial vehicles to take advantage of the technology pioneered in family cars. Trucks, construction machinery and even agricultural vehicles will employ the same techniques to provide the best in-vehicle experiences.
Autonomous Vehicles
Autonomous vehicles will take these technologies a step further. With ADAS already providing sophisticated solutions for road safety, the technologies that can help drive the vehicle are becoming available.
A recent survey of automotive professionals revealed that over four-fifths of experts believe level IV autonomous driving will be available as a standard feature in new vehicles within the next 10 years. Self-driving or autonomous vehicles certainly capture the attention of the public, and manufacturers are developing robust and secure solutions to help the public embrace this technology.
The autonomous vehicle represents a combination of the latest automotive trends into a single product. The rise of electric power, the use of C-V2X connectivity and the introduction of advanced safety features for the driver are all preparing the way for the self-driving car. It is rare that so many new innovations mature at the same time to create such a reevaluation of how we travel. These trends represent the future of the automotive industry, and Molex is developing products and strategies that will enable manufacturers to employ these new technologies to their full potential. With a product range encompassing connectors, cabling and antennae, Molex is at the forefront of the automotive industry.
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