It could be corn cobs rather than carrots that have the best prospects – thanks to the abundance of lignin and cellulose found in the crop – to improve night vision. Researchers in China have used the materials to produce near-infrared (NIR) transparent optical filters for advanced imaging applications that highlight nature’s growing appeal to device makers.

“Lignocellulose-based bio-sourced materials are abundant, renewable, nontoxic, and mechanically strong candidates for optical materials,” explains the team in a paper published recently in Research – a Science Partner Journal.

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NIR filters are crucial to the success of night vision cameras, as we shall soon discuss, and designs are typically made using two approaches. One option requires expensive glass materials that – while effective – can involve complicated fabrication steps. Alternatively, developers can use ultraviolet-visible absorbing dyes, which are easier to work with.

However, neither option has the environmental or economic appeal of using waste corn cobs. Plus, the performance – based on prototypes tested by the group – could be superior to conventional night vision components.

Why night vision cameras use NIR filters

To be effective, night vision cameras need to maximize the available light, which – once the sun has gone down, or is blocked indoors – is to be found in the NIR portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. NIR filters isolate this usable illumination band, while preventing interference from other wavelengths.

Without an NIR filter, night vision cameras would be easy to blind using a torch or a smartphone flash. Imaging systems would be similarly affected by other artificial light sources such as vehicle headlamps.

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Regular digital cameras have an NIR blocking filter that stops photos and video from appearing washed out and makes sure that images match the optical response of the human eye.

As an aside, removing the NIR blocking filter from a digital camera can allow users to peer inside electronic devices that otherwise appear to be opaque – for example, if the case material is transparent to NIR light. Vein viewer technology uses near-infrared light to visualize major blood vessels beneath the skin, which also exploits the sensitivity of commercial imaging sensors outside the visible spectrum.

Eye-tracking in the near-infrared

Night vision style cameras are particularly well-suited to eye-tracking, as the NIR images provide strong contrast for algorithms to respond to. And there are a number of applications that exploit this opportunity. For example, several chip designers such as Qualcomm and Analog Devices have offerings that focus on driver and occupant monitoring for automotive applications.

Eye-tracking solutions, which operate at NIR wavelengths, can determine where the driver is looking at any moment in time to ensure that attention is being paid to the road ahead. Systems can also spot if the driver appears sleepy or is using a cell phone while the vehicle is in motion, and issue a safety warning.

Also, eye-tracking persists even if occupants are wearing sunglasses, as regular lenses are designed to block harmful ultraviolet rays and are transparent to NIR light. However, it’s possible to purchase privacy-focused spectacles, such as products sold by Reflectacles, which are fitted with an IR blocker.

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In this case, the wearer’s eyes will remain obscured to 3D infrared facial mapping software and 2D facial recognition systems that use infrared light as their illumination source.

Returning to the researchers’ corn cob-derived NIR filter, the combination of cellulose and lignin appears to produce a high-performance and practical film.

“The captured lignin was fused to fill the gaps in a cellulose network, which then held the fibers tightly and created a homogeneous dense structure,” comments the group. “Both the lignin and the dense structure provided the biofilter with unique optical properties, including strong UV-vis light blocking (~100% at 400 nm and 57.58% to 98.59% at 550 nm), low haze (close to 0%), and high NIR transmittance (~90%).”

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• Tesla launches Fleet API. What does it do?
• Will third-party developers take to Tesla Fleet API – and what might they do with it?
• Does Fleet API represent a major turning point in automotive development?

Automaker Tesla has released its first official public API (Application Programming Interface) program after years of running unofficial API documentation. Known as Fleet API, this long-awaited API will introduce new possibilities for Tesla owners, marking a transformative, innovative time in the automotive industry where software and motor vehicles unite.

Tesla owners are now able to access and manage various features in their vehicles via API, enabling them to personalize and customize their driving experience. According to Tesla, “Fleet API is a RESTful data and command service providing access to Tesla vehicles and energy devices. Partners can interact with their own devices, or devices to which they have been granted access by a customer.”

These technological innovations will undoubtedly have far-reaching implications for the automotive industry and third-party app developers. Yes, developers have previously utilized the unofficial API for mobile apps, but this official release provides improved documentation and accessibility. This could be the beginning of a revolutionary period, changing how drivers interact with their vehicles forever.

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The future of automotive technology may be here

We could be at a significant moment in the electric vehicle and motor industry as a whole. Now Tesla has opened its API to developers, it paints a picture of a future where cars are more than mere vehicles; where they become personalized, customizable “experiences.” We have been on a road to more personalized driving experiences for years, but this release connects drivers with their vehicles more than ever before, allowing them to tailor driving experiences to meet their own preferences.

From tracking charging patterns and integrating various smart devices to improved safety features and superior navigation frameworks, the future of driving could be very different to what we know now.

There are further implications to consider. The automotive industry as a whole could be revolutionized, as developers continue to explore the vast possibilities APIs offer. The next few years and beyond promise to be an exciting time when innovative applications are born and implemented for everyday driving experiences. Automotive technology is destined to be driven by APIs, creating new advancements that will benefit not only car owners, but the automobile industry in its entirety.

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Tesla Fleet API explained

A RESTful data (data that adheres to the principles of Representational State Transfer (REST)) and command service, Fleet API allows access to Tesla vehicles and other energy devices. Through this API, collaborators can engage with their personal devices or those provided by a customer, resulting in improved integration and customization.

Tesla has operated an unofficial API for years, but in late 2023, the automotive developer made its API available to developers. That gave them the tools to forge third-party apps, expanding Tesla’s app landscape. While other car manufacturers, including BMW and Ford released APIs before Tesla, this is considered an important moment in the automotive industry, as Tesla expands its technological footprint further.

Some personalizations are more personal than others.

As the name suggests, Fleet API is mainly focused on fleet management, optimizing efficiency, safety, and overall operational effectiveness. But Tesla has teased that it may release a software developer kit (SDK) for third-party apps, something that would enhance the features and capabilities of its cars.

Fleet API is fully documented, allowing developers the chance to produce fresh, customized experiences for Tesla drivers.

As far back as 2016, Tesla CEO Elon Musk discussed a plan to transition from phone app mirroring to the center console, rather than releasing a complete API. So this recent API release suggests a strategic shift and a dedication towards developers.

To ensure Fleet API works efficiently, users must use the correct geographical region for their needs, as it is only available regionally. When accessing the API, an authentication token is required by the endpoints. Altogether, two token types can be created – third-party tokens (used on behalf of customers), and partner authentication tokens – both of these tokens act as security for authorized access to the Fleet API.

The partner authentication token allows a customer to give access to their Tesla (both vehicles and devices). Developers can trigger the authorization code flow and guide the customer through an authorized request to create an authentication token for partners.

One crucial feature Fleet API offers is the possibility to retrieve a Tesla business account’s session data and charging history. This can help owners analyze their charging patterns, making for more convenient motoring. Developers can also access information associated with a user account summary, the car’s region, and any active orders. That means they can tailor applications to individual user preferences.

There are also various active membership tiers with Fleet API, each offering unique features and functionality. These tiers give developers greater flexibility, making it easier to select the most appropriate access level for specific requirements.

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The release of Fleet API marks an exciting time for drivers, developers, and the automotive industry. Developers can introduce their own third-party apps that integrate seamlessly with Tesla vehicles, while Tesla owners can enjoy new features and apps that promise to enhance their overall driving experience and give valuable insights into how their vehicle is performing.

We’ve shifted gear into a new era, one driven by API and the notion of experience personalization while behind the wheel.

The post Tesla unveils Fleet API, but how will it affect the motor industry? appeared first on TechHQ.

• The Kia Challenge on social media has seen a 1000% rise in thefts of particular vehicles since 2020.
• Who’s to blame? TikTok, the thieves, the manufacturers?
• TikTok has tried to remove challenge videos, but the trend has already spread to other platforms.

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The so-called Kia Challenge has caused a huge increase in car theft. In 2021, a hack appeared on TikTok: how to hijack vulnerable Kias. More often than not, lifehack videos are fodder for ridicule or far-off aspiration; hot glue gun shoes or an automatic toothpaste dispenser.

But at the end of 2023, Morgan Goldwich found her Kia Optima had been stolen – by people following the trend. After filing a police report, she was amused to hear mention of the Kia Boys, perpetrators of a trend that involved stealing Kias and Hyundais, taking them for joy rides and dumping them.

Unlike most bigtime crime gangs, the Kia Boys post most of their illegal activity online. Goldwich was surprised that she had been a target, though: her car was old (2015) and scuffed, certainly not worth enough money to appeal to the average car thief.

Enter: the Kia Challenge, which surfaced in 2021, showing how to hijack vulnerable cars using just a USB cord.

The Kia Challenge – how it works

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Kia models manufactured between 2011 to 2021, and Hyundais from between 2015 to 2021, lack electronic immobilizers. The security feature requires a unique chip in the key for the car to start. Without it, thieves can break a window, unscrew the steering column, plug a USB into the ignition and, hey presto, they’re the lucky new owner of the car.

TikTok did attempt to remove videos showing the simplicity of the process, but the trend had already spread. A recent report found that thefts of Kias and Hyundais have increased 1000% since 2020.

The stolen cars are generally taken for a spin and then dumped, so are likely to be found shortly after the theft, with some damage. Goldwich’s showed up in a parking lot a week after being stolen.

Although she was lucky to find her car, she owed a $1000 deductible for the damages. When she phoned her insurance company, however, they informed her that Kias and Hyundais were no longer being insured in her area. Why? Well, because they keep getting stolen!

In the UK, similar ‘crimetoks’ have caused mass involvement of teens in robberies. In this case, an organized robbery on Oxford Street was arranged via the app, with videos showing dates, times, and even dress codes for the event.

What’s interesting is the fact that, despite almost two decades of teens having access to social media, TikTok is the first platform ton which users appear to encourage widespread crime. That’s not to say that MySpace was never used to discuss a plan of attack – and we’ve all been reminded of the Facebook posts Gypsy-Rose Blanchard wrote after her mother’s murder.

Blame the manufacturers?

Car theft – the latest social media trend.

It’s easy to point fingers at social media, but the car manufacturers are also at fault. The failure to add immobilizers to their vehicles is the grounds of a lawsuit that will see Kia and Hyundai pay out millions of dollars to theft victims.

Both are issuing free software updates to affected owners to help curb the issue, and some law enforcement agencies provide free steering wheel locks, which could come in handy too. Hyundai owners can buy a personalized security kit at their local dealers.

So, the usual preventative measures plus some, seems to be the advice to car owners. We can’t wait to see the launch of the first car insurance company to offer TikTok Kia Challenge cover.

EDIT January 25: References to the Kia Challenge broadened to include social media as, although the hack first appeared on TikTok it wasn’t the only platform that the trend appeared on.

The post Steal a car with just a USB cord and a TikTok account appeared first on TechHQ.

• Tesla recalls millions of cars over autopilot issue.
• NHTSA investigation discovers issue after almost 1,000 crashes.
• Musk defended its autopilot system despite the recall.

Tesla has recalled over 2 million cars after a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) investigation found the autopilot system can be and is being misused by drivers.

This is the second recall of Tesla’s automated driving features this year, following almost 1,000 crashes – some of which have resulted in fatalities. Perhaps peculiarly then, it took an external investigation to prompt the recall.

The two-year investigation remains open as regulators monitor the effectiveness of Tesla’s solutions.

While “automated technology holds great promise for improving safety,” it must be “deployed responsibly,” said an NHTSA spokesperson. The mass recall, the most significant in Tesla’s history so far, is a response that aims to to improve automated systems and prioritize safety.

Practically every US Tesla made since 2012 is affected by this recall. Over the last 11 years, however, many cars, including Teslas, have been gaining updated features that automate various driver tasks, including automatic emergency braking, and cruise control. The end goal for many car manufacturers is to produce fully self-driving cars, but this has proved to be more challenging than was initially hoped, with a range of issues arising that are yet to be resolved.

Despite almost 1,000 crashes, it took an external investigation to get Tesla to recall its cars.

The latest problem is Tesla’s Autosteer feature, part of Tesla’s basic autopilot package, that falls short of being completely autonomous.

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Models affected by the recall

According to the NHTSA, the recall affects the following autopilot Tesla models:

• 2012-2023 Model S vehicles
• 2016-2023 Model X vehicles
• 2017-2023 Model 3 vehicles
• 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles

That’s right – almost all Tesla models sold in the US are affected. If you’re unsure whether your car is affected, input your vehicle ID number on the NHTSA recall page or via the Tesla website.

The reason behind the recall

According to an NHTSA statement, there are certain scenarios where the Autosteer controls may not prevent drivers from misusing the technology. “In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, the prominence and scope of the feature’s controls may not be sufficient to prevent driver misuse of the SAE Level 2 advanced driver-assistance feature.”

In response to the inappropriate autopilot use in so broad a range of Tesla models, the recall aims to rectify the system and ensure drivers remain attentive when using autopilot. Yes, autopilot may sound like you can sit back, take a nap, and let the car do all your work, but this is not the case, any more than it is when you engage cruise control in other cars.

In essence, the name is part of the “cool” sheen necessary when selling factories full of new cars. The reality is that the driver must pay attention at all times, with their hands on the steering wheel, and be prepared to act if Autosteer encounters a situation it can’t manage.

Yes, the name’s confusing, and it looks cool, but believe us, Tesla will TELL you when you can stop actively driving its vehicles.

Unfortunately, the NHTSA discovered that 956 crashes occurred when the autopilot feature was in use. Upon closer inspection though, investigators narrowed their focus to 322 accidents that were directly related to autopilot use in Tesla vehicles. Such accidents are believed to be caused by drivers relying too heavily on the Autosteer system and united disengagements of it.

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Tesla’s response

According to the recall notice, Tesla did not act in accordance with the NHTSA’s analysis. To combat this “malfunctioning” autopilot system, Tesla is releasing a free software update for the models mentioned above (all those equipped with versions of Autosteer).

Although the Autosteer feature has a unique design, the NHTSA investigation found that the “system can provide inadequate driver engagement and usage controls that can lead to foreseeable misuse of the system.”

This latest update will limit certain parts that are operated by the basic versions of Autosteer. Tesla is also working to improve warnings and alerts for drivers. This update doesn’t mean Teslas will become fully autonomous, though. Drivers will still need to pay attention. The update aims to make it harder for drivers to ignore warning signs when Autosteer is in use, or canceled and requiring human intervention.

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Tesla’s enhancements will include additional alerts and controls, a simplification of the process of activating and deactivating Autosteer, making all visual alerts more noticeable, and potentially pausing the use of this feature under certain circumstances, such as when a “driver repeatedly fails to demonstrate continuous and sustained driving responsibility while the feature is engaged.”

In other words, the car’s systems will assess how you use them, and refuse to speak to you unless you do what they want you to.

Yes – four decades after Knight Rider made it seem like fun, the world has a car that can sulk.

Tesla owners should receive a letter in the mail explaining this recall, but these are not expected until at least February 10^th, 2024.

Autopilot issues are nothing new for Tesla. In February this year, over 360,000 Tesla cars were recalled over worries about the potential for its full self-driving software to prompt vehicles to behave in an unsafe manner, especially around intersections.

Tesla has issued a statement on X, owned by Tesla CEO Elon Musk. In the statement, Tesla defended its autopilot system, pointing to statistics that suggest Autosteer results in fewer crashes when engaged. “Safety metrics are emphatically stronger when Autopilot is engaged than when not engaged.”

Tesla’s stock took a significantly smaller knock than some of its cars after news of the recall broke.

According to Tesla, in the fourth quarter of 2022, the recorded crash rate was just one for every 4.85 million miles driven. In contrast, without using Autopilot, the crash rate was reported to be one crash for every 1.40 million miles driven.

This latest recall is already showing its effects, with share prices dropping slightly, but enthusiasm for Teslas is unlikely to come to a skidding halt just yet. After all, Tesla remains at the cutting edge of self-driving technology, and will continue to be a key player in future autonomous vehicle production.

“A series of horrific and even fatal accidents” prompted the investigation. Tesla stands by its sytem, despite issuing recall.

The post Tesla hits the brakes, recalling over 2 million cars due to autopilot misuse appeared first on TechHQ.

Car adverts may tempt viewers with images of open roads, but drivers know that the reality of getting from A to B is likely to be a more congested one. Mapping and location technology provider TomTom puts Dublin, Ireland, at the top of its list of cities where vehicles spend the most time in traffic. And to help combat the frustration of slow-moving journeys, automakers include a range of entertainment options in their models, which now includes being able to use smartphones as controllers to play video games in cars.

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Naturally, vehicle passengers have long been able to bring hand-held consoles, such as Nintendo’s ever-popular Switch device, with them on journeys. But what if you’ve left your entertainment options behind? To help passengers get their video game fix, BMW Group – which includes Mini and Rolls Royce Motor Cars – has teamed up with N-Dream to bring what it describes as ‘a unique kind of in-car gaming to the road’.

Offered initially with the new BMW 5 series, cars now feature N-Dream’s gaming platform dubbed AirConsole. “It allows the driver and passengers to play so-called casual games while the vehicle is stationary as a way of passing time while waiting for the vehicle to charge,” writes BMW Group, which delivered 2,399,632 vehicles in 2022 (including 434,333 EVs, up from 147,175 in 2019).

Video games in cars

To start playing video games in cars, users first launch the AirConsole app on the vehicle’s dashboard and then point their smartphones at a QR code that appears on the panoramic display. And the configuration turns the handheld devices into gaming controllers with left, right, up, down, and other familiar options. Plus, the setup gives access to a master menu of video games through the AirConsole platform.

The arrangement suits both Apple and Android devices, and multi-player titles mean that passengers in the front and back of the vehicle can all join in and play video games in the car together. Under the hood, the video game runs on the BMW’s head unit and sends its telemetry to the cloud via the in-car SIM card. At the same time, controller commands issued by the players are received by the vehicle, via the cloud, and influence the game mechanics shown on the dashboard display.

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Any vehicle with, or capable of upgrading to, iDrive (BMW’s in-car communications and entertainment system) version 8.5 upwards should be able to run the system. And it’s an example of another add-on experience enabled through software, which is something that automakers are experimenting with as a new business model.

Software-enabled features potentially streamline manufacturing for automakers, reducing the amount of hardware variations that need to be produced. BMW’s ‘heated-seats-as-a-service’ concept generated some push-back from customers who felt that they were being charged for something that they already owned. But, as mentioned, the business model does simplify assembly on the factory floor.

Subscription sales

And it’s not just BMW Group that is testing optional extras as a subscription sales idea. Mercedes offers an acceleration increase as a digital extra to its EV customers starting at US $60 per month, with savings for annual subscriptions and the option to make features permanent with a one-off payment. The settings boost power output from the electric drivetrain by up to 80 horsepower, and shave around 1 second off the 0 to 60 mph acceleration time.

Over-the-air (OTA) software updates combined with the increasingly electronic architecture of modern vehicles make switching optional extras on and off easier than ever before for car makers. But they also add temptation to vehicle owners who – knowing that the performance is already there, ready and waiting – may want to bypass subscription payments and activate features themselves.

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The practice of designing a more powerful automobile and then detuning it across the model range isn’t new though. But previously, it would have required the addition of performance-restricting hardware – for example, fitting a smaller carburetor to budget vehicles – rather than just being able to limit capabilities digitally.

Already frustrated by longer commute times due to traffic congestion, it’s unlikely that consumers will celebrate having to pay monthly to access optional extras – even if it does, in principle, make cars cheaper to produce. But features such as being able to play video games in cars could put owners in a better mood, at least if they beat the other players or top the high scores table.

And subscription models appear to be here to stay, not just for optional extras, but for the entire vehicle. Forbes writes that by 2025-26, vehicle subscription programs could account for nearly 10% of all new vehicle sales in the US and Europe. And a recent survey by consultancy firm McKinsey found that 33% of respondents were open to trying a vehicle subscription in the future.

The post Can automakers profit from playing video games in cars? appeared first on TechHQ.

Petrol and diesel cars will be banned by 2030 and all-electric autonomous vehicles (AVs) will replace them. The hype around the future of mobility is rising as 11% of respondents who took part in Arthur D. Little’s Global Automotive Mobility Study – 3^rd Edition claimed that they’re willing to use fully autonomous vehicles, and 35% are rather likely.

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The state of the autonomous vehicle space heading into 2022

As we get ready for the latest mobility innovations, we wonder what types of autonomous vehicles we can expect to see on the roads in the next five years and how far our technology can take us.

It’s written in the policies and legislation

The UK has jumped headfirst onto the bandwagon of autonomous vehicles. It seems that the way forwards for the UK will be paved through the implementation of legislation and policies that allow for AVs to enter British roads.

The UK ranks ninth in terms of readiness for AVs, based on the KPMG: Autonomous Vehicles Readiness Index 2020, with an index score of 21.36. Britain’s efforts to prepare for the latest innovation in mobility are mainly focused on public transport, cybersecurity, safety, and technology.

These efforts are supported by the review and implementation of policies and legislation. In fact, the UK ranks second on the Policy and Legislation pillar. On 19^th July 2018, the UK government accepted the Automated and Electric Vehicles Act. The act aims to ensure that insurers are followed regarding all claims.

According to Jesse Norman, Roads Minister, “this act will ensure that the UK’s infrastructure and insurance system is ready for the biggest transport revolution in a century.”

In 2019 the UK government published the second consultation paper on the regulatory framework for automated vehicles. This is an extension of the act that addresses AVs regulation for public service vehicles, such as unstaffed minibusses or taxis. Currently, the UK government is preparing the third consultation paper. This extension will focus on the definition of self-driving, how to ensure safety in use, and defining the difference between a user-in-charge and a fleet operation.

What levels of autonomous vehicles do we see on roads?

When we hear the term autonomous vehicle, we tend to imagine a car that moves without a human driver. While fully self-driving cars are part of this category, they comprise only one type of autonomous vehicle presented as Level 5. However, there are four more levels that define the types of AVs. Let’s delve into them.

Level 0: No driving automation

We know this type of car as manual. All driving tasks are performed by the driver, including the operation of the gear stick.

Level 1: Driver assistance

A slight upgrade to the manually operated car, this level features adaptive cruise control. It allows the car to automatically control its own speed and to perform lane centering.

Level 2: Partial driving automation

Most of the cars on roads today are Level 2 autonomy. They feature a system that offers automatic steering and accelerating/braking functions.

Scale model of an electric air vehicle made by Supernal, a company developing a family of electric air vehicles, displayed at Air-One, the world’s first vertiport for flying taxis and autonomous delivery drones in Coventry. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS / AFP)

Level 3: Conditional driving automation

These cars are self-driving but only in certain conditions. They require the driver to be alert at all times in case they need to take back control. The cars which are fitted with ALKS will be considered Level 3 “self-driving”, and it is these vehicles that the UK government is planning to allow on the roads.

Level 4: High driving automation

Level 4 cars pretty much hit the self-driving mark: they don’t expect the driver to ever take control. If something unexpected were to happen on the road, the car is designed to pull itself over safely. However, there is one exception: the cars aren’t made to operate in all conditions, which can be limiting for some drivers.

Level 4 automated cars are a massive leap in innovative mobility. The downside is that our road networks are way too complicated. For this reason, some people believe that this type of car will never see the roads.

Level 5: Full driving automation

A small improvement to Level 4 automated cars, Level 5 vehicles are expected to fully drive themselves without any human input required. These could well be our future buses and taxis.

Many predictions stated that by 2021 we would see fully automated cars waiting at red traffic lights and driving seamlessly after the green signal. However, these predictions seem to be failing.  The reason? Our AI technology is not advanced to the level needed to make that possible. Even Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, had to retract his previous Twitter post which stated that by 2020 there will be “over a million cars with full self-driving, software, everything”.

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For now, we look forward to seeing Level 3 cars on the roads.

Astonishing advancements in autonomous vehicles

While we might not be seeing fully automated cars hitting the roads anytime soon, trials are advancing at the speed of light.

Waymo, Google’s self-driving car project has been working for several years on the Jaguar I-Pace model. This is an all-electric Level 3 autonomous vehicle that has an in-built InControl including standard and optional driving assistance features. These features include emergency braking, cruise control, speed limiter, lane keep assist, traffic sign recognition, adaptive speed limiter, and many more.

Additionally, Jaguar Land Rover is building a ‘smart city hub’ in Ireland where it can test autonomous technology. The hub will consist of 7.5 miles of complex roads which will allow JLR to test its sensor data and simulate a variety of driving and traffic scenarios. The Jaguar I-Pace model will be used during the tests.

We’ve made so much progress in terms of technological advancements that will inform the future of mobility. Although we might not be seeing fully autonomous vehicles on the roads anytime soon, the trials will ensure the safety, performance, and sustainability of our AVs. We can look forward to embracing autonomous mobility one step at a time.

Article contributed by Grange

The post What will the roadmap be like for autonomous vehicles in 5 years appeared first on TechHQ.

The automotive industry continues to witness increasing innovations thanks to emerging technologies. Today, vehicles, be they autonomous or not, are extremely data-driven. And to ensure the data from modern vehicles are well processed and managed, the operating system of the vehicle is the most important component.

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Be it autonomous driving or vehicle maintenance, the operating system needs to be advanced and capable of processing data at the edge itself. The system also needs to be secure, both in cybersecurity and enforcing critical safety priorities.

According to Francis Chow, the VP and general manager, In-Vehicle Operating System and Edge at Red Hat, adopting open-source software in lieu of proprietary operating systems can introduce an avenue for establishing common standards and fosters an ecosystem of Linux-savvy automotive developers.

“By utilizing open-source software, the automotive industry can help alleviate many of these issues and as a result, modernize their strategies while meeting customers’ present-day needs,” commented Chow in a blog post.

According to SBD Automotive, the convergence of electrification, high-performance computing, autonomous driving, digital integration and ubiquitous connectivity now creates an opportunity for car manufacturers to enhance customer experiences and engender greater brand loyalty through novel business models, features and experiences–all primarily enabled by software.

As such, Red Hat has announced a collaboration with General Motors to help advance software-defined vehicles at the edge. The companies expect to expand an ecosystem of innovation around the Red Hat In-Vehicle Operating System, which provides a functional-safety certified Linux operating system foundation intended for the ongoing evolution of GM’s Ultifi software platform.

The collaboration between Red Hat and GM will witness Red Hat’s cloud-native, enterprise-grade open-source operating system accelerating the development of GM’s software-defined vehicle programs following Ultifi’s initial launch. This will enable both companies to offer customers more valuable features responsibly in a fraction of the typical development time.

For Scott Miller, vice president for Software-Defined Vehicle and Operating System at General Motors, working with Red Hat is a critical element in advancing GM’s Ultifi software development. He added that incorporating the company’s expertise in open source solutions and enterprise networks will pay dividends as we aim to provide the most developer-friendly software platform in the industry.

(Source – Red Hat)

Red Hat In-Vehicle OS in modern, future vehicles

Red Hat’s open-source systems are already being used by other carmakers. Among them include Volkswagen, BMW, and Audi. BMW’s new data platform, created using Red Hat® software, helped reduce development time with faster, more accurate driving simulations and data analytics.

Audi created a stable, scalable environment for innovative development across cloud platforms that helped the company reduce time to market and increase responsiveness to demand. Meanwhile, Volkswagen created a testing environment that combines virtual and real-life testing to facilitate component integrations, introduce self-service provisioning, and reduce costs for system tests by 50%.

When it comes to in-vehicle software systems, they can be rather complex and require high levels of cybersecurity protection and stringent certifications due to critical safety priorities, In current systems, these robust requirements can often lengthen the development process and make vehicle software updates difficult, with each update requiring recertification.

Together, GM and Red Hat intend to make these complex vehicle updates simpler and more frequent by implementing continuous functional-safety certification into the Ultifi platform with Red Hat In-Vehicle Operating System pioneering the continuous certification approach. The integrated software is expected to support a variety of in-vehicle safety- and non-safety-related applications, including infotainment, advanced driver assistance systems, body control, and connectivity.

As such, the transportation industry can benefit from faster innovation and better sustainability through standardization with open-source Linux and cloud-native technologies. Common standards can help increase software reuse and achieve a more scalable design process, giving GM the ability to dedicate more resources toward new personalized in-cabin experiences, vehicle modes, and other features customers will enjoy.

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A new dawn for Red Hat and General Motors

Chow highlighted that with millions of lines of code sustaining critical systems like driver assistance, fuel economy, and more, modern vehicles are more like mobile high-performance computers than the cars of the past. Chow believes the time to innovate is now.

“These new vehicles give our industries a chance to create a common open platform without sacrificing functional safety. By collaborating with GM on the Red Hat In-Vehicle Operating System, we intend to bring the era of open source to the automotive world, benefiting automakers, ecosystem partners, and consumers,” added Chow.

With the integration of the Red Hat In-Vehicle Operating System into the Ultifi platform, GM and Red Hat look to achieve:

• reduced costs from consolidation and reuse of software across a common platform
• an improved development cycle for faster time-to-market with new customer features and software improvements
• continuous functional safety certification for systems related to safety applications
• Creation of new services, business models, and revenue streams

Ultifi, GM’s end-to-end vehicle software platform, is expected to enable frequent and more seamless delivery of software-defined features, apps, and services to customers over the air with Red Hat contributing to its phased roll-out which will launch in 2023.

To do this, the platform separates the application software from the hardware to offer application program interfaces for software development. Creating a more flexible architecture unlocks the potential for more cloud-based services, faster software development, and new value for customers without affecting basic hardware controls.

As a Linux-based system, Ultifi is designed to be universally usable for GM developers, suppliers, and the developer community at large. Using Linux allows for skilled talent from many industries to quickly get up to speed and bolster innovation through non-traditional thinking.

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With quantum computing use cases seemingly increasing, the automotive industry is also making the most of the technology. Over the last few months, several vehicle manufacturers have already made announcements on vehicle design and manufacturing with quantum computing.

In fact, according to a report by McKinsey, one-tenth of all potential quantum computing use cases could benefit the automotive industry, with a high impact noticeable by 2025. Among the use cases in the automotive industry include vehicle routing and route optimization, material and process research as well as the security of connected driving.

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As such, Pasqal, a leading manufacturer of neutral-atom quantum processors, will collaborate with BMW Group to enhance the automaker’s primary manufacturing processes. Leveraging Pasqal’s algorithm for solving differential equations, BMW Group aims to analyze the applicability of quantum computing technology to metal forming applications modeling.

The metal forming applications require extensive simulations to ensure auto parts are conforming to specifications. This is achievable via predictive and rapid virtual modeling that brings the manufacturing process towards safer designs, more sustainable products, and zero-prototyping.

Pasqal’s researchers have developed a digital-analog implementation of its quantum methods, tailored for its neutral-atom quantum processors. This makes these applications 30 times more efficient than competing superconducting quantum processors.

(Source – BMW)

For BMW Group, this highly accurate computational simulation would enable them to replace costly physical build-test-improve cycles, as current classical computational methods are incapable of dealing with the complexity of simulating a full vehicle at the desired accuracy. Such simulations will ultimately help BMW Group create lighter parts, making cars more fuel-efficient.

Previous collaborations with BMW focused on developing quantum computational methods for chemistry and materials science which can for instance be used to optimize battery designs at the atomistic level. The renewed collaboration extends this scope to other relevant time and length scales adding micro and macro-level materials simulations.

“Renewing and extending the scope of our collaboration with BMW Group is a clear sign of the value Pasqal can bring to our customers. Each time we collaborate with BMW Group, we discover something more we can do to help them develop superior automobiles,” commented Georges-Olivier Reymond, CEO of Pasqal.

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Reymond added that Pasqal currently offers the only method on the market for solving these types of differential equations with quantum technology, which are critical to executing effective and accurate simulations.

With that said, Pasqal believes these use cases are excellent candidates for early quantum advantage with its proprietary quantum algorithms, which the company plans to reach within two years. These complex simulations will run over a six-month period in Pasqal’s facilities.

Real-world applications for these simulations include crash testing and accelerated development of new parts and materials which are lighter and stronger, keeping passengers safe while both reducing emissions and cutting development costs.

The post BMW and Pasqal apply quantum computing in car design, manufacturing appeared first on TechHQ.

Ford confirmed its 2022 profit outlook Wednesday despite lower quarterly auto sales and incurred losses from Rivian, as strong vehicle pricing offsets the hit from higher operating costs and the ongoing semiconductor chip shortage.

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Echoing statements from General Motors, Ford executives described “pent-up” consumer demand for autos in a market characterized by limited vehicle supply, despite rising inflation. GM’s CEO Mary Barra admitted during a media call that while “there’s still volatility in chips”, there has been an improvement in semiconductor availability compared to late-2021. “We’ll see stronger chip supply in the second half of the year. We still believe that we’ll be able to make 25-30% more vehicles this year than last year,” according to a Bloomberg report.

The result has been elevated auto pricing that has so far enabled Detroit carmakers to offset soaring costs from steel, nickel, and freight. In the first quarter of 2022, Ford averaged US$57,514 for the F-150 truck, up 16 p% from 2020, according to data from Edmunds.com. Ford maintained its forecast of between US$11.5 billion and US$12.5 billion in adjusted earnings before interest and taxes, citing the effect of “continued strong pricing.”

Of note is that Ford reported a loss of US$3.1 billion, following a US$5.4 billion hit from the value of the company’s investment in Rivian, which makes electric trucks. Rivian CEO R.J. Scaringe told Reuters that just like Ford and their competitors, the young electric vehicle startup is at the mercy of supply chain bottlenecks, particularly semiconductors.

Unlike more established automakers though, chip suppliers are skeptical if the fledgling EV maker will be able to achieve the production numbers that it has guaranteed. Chipmakers are instead promising larger allocations to the more entrenched car manufacturers, most of which still produce traditional combustion engine rides as opposed to electric or hybrid vehicles.

At the heart of this supply shortfall is the low volume of electric vehicles being produced by dedicated EV firms like Rivian, versus the significant output of a big traditional player like Ford or GM. The ‘Big Auto’ manufacturers are considered more attractive to suppliers of semiconductors and other in-demand materials as not only do they make larger ‘guaranteed’ orders, they can even pay for a year’s worth of chips in one transaction, according to Dan Hearsch, managing director in the automotive practice for consulting firm AlixPartners.

While Rivian shares have fallen by 60% so far this year, Ford’s adjusted earnings before interest and taxes were US$2.3 billion. Revenues fell 5% to US$34.5 billion.

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Ford said semiconductor supplies remained limited in January and February, but manufacturing rates “significantly improved” in March. Chief Financial Officer John Lawler said Ford has been “aggressive” thus far in lifting prices, with pricing “just about offsetting cost increases.” The company expects more vehicles to hit the market in the second half of 2022, which means the market will be “in flux,” the CFO commented.

“As volumes increase, it (pricing) will be dynamic,” Lawler said on a conference call with analysts. “If commodities keep going up, we’ll be aggressive.” Ford shares rose about 1% to US$15.00 in after-hours trading.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

© Agence France-Presse

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• The rising need for automotive cybersecurity will trigger investments, and the market is expected to grow to US$9.7 billion in 2030
• There are currently no specific regulations in the US around automotive cybersecurity
• Experts have warned that automakers are behind the curve when adopting cybersecurity best practices 

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Automotive cybersecurity is going to be vital for automakers as the industry races to build more autonomous, connected cars and electric vehicles. However, experts have warned that automakers are behind the curve when adopting cybersecurity best practices.

As cars become more connected and dominate the agenda of automotive industry leaders in recent years, they’re also becoming increasingly susceptible to cyberattacks.

Vulnerabilities expose need for automotive cybersecurity

Recent vulnerabilities surfaced in Honda and Acura’s cars through the communication with its remote keyless entry function. According to researchers, easily intercepted radio signals from the wireless entry key fob on almost any Acura vehicle could allow a threat actor to lock, unlock, and even start the car.

The confirmed vulnerable models were the 2009 Acura TSX, the 2016 Honda Accord V6 Touring Sedan, the 2017 Honda HR-V (CVE-2019-20626), the 2018 Honda Civic Hatchback, and the 2020 Honda Civic LX.

Honda also faced a cyberattack in June 2020 which impacted its operations around the world where one of its internal servers was attacked externally. The company halted its UK plant alongside a suspension of other operations in North America, Turkey, Italy, and Japan.

Meanwhile, university researchers critically hacked and stole a Tesla Model X in November 2020 with a Raspberry Pi, a key fob, and a replacement engine control unit. Researchers from Keen Security Lab also demonstrated that it was feasible to gain local and remote access to infotainment, T-Box components, and UDS communication above a certain speed of selected BMW vehicle modules.

The breaches have also included EV home chargers being controlled by accessing the home Wi-Fi network, while malware infection caused significant production disruption at German car parts manufacturer Rheinmetall.

Rising need for automotive cybersecurity

A new report from Trend Micro Incorporated states that 125 million passenger cars with embedded connectivity are forecast to ship as progress advances towards fully autonomous vehicles.

The advancement will create a complex ecosystem comprising cloud, Internet of Things, 5G, and other vital technologies. It also features an enormous attack surface comprising millions of endpoints and end-users.

The report also warns that “vehicle connectivity introduces significant new risk vectors and potential attack points that adversaries such as cybercriminals, hacktivists and even unscrupulous operators, could exploit to achieve objectives such as disruption, interception, or corruption of data.”

The rising need for automotive cybersecurity will trigger investments, and the market is expected to grow to US$9.7 billion in 2030, with the software business representing half of the market by 2030, according to McKinsey. The report states that Software and electrical/electronic (E/E) components are, and will continue to be, among the key innovations in modern vehicles.

Regulating vehicle security

The new WP.29 regulations were drawn up by The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and approved in June 2020.

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The automotive sector had a framework to put processes that identify and manage cybersecurity risks in vehicle design. This includes verifying that risks are managed, ensuring that risk assessments are kept current, and attacks are monitored.

The analysis of successful or attempted attacks, review of cybersecurity measures in the light of new threats, and ensuring security lifecycle management (across the development, production, and post-production phases) are also part of the framework.

WP.29 regulations have been adopted by the European Union and will be mandatory for all new vehicle types from July 2022. South Korea and Japan have also committed in the meantime. However, there are currently no specific regulations in the US around automotive cybersecurity.

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