Swedish expertise drives the future of the automotive IT solutions

Explore the latest trends in automotive IT solutions and embedded software from Swedish experts. The vehicle industry is a rapidly changing landscape, with dynamic customer demands and evolving safety regulations. Keeping pace can be a challenge for embedded software development teams. But with the right approach, it’s possible to stay ahead of the curve. In this blog article, discover how the latest trends and innovative solutions can help you meet the evolving needs of your customers and stay ahead of the competition.

Swedish know-how in the automotive sector

Sweden has a long history of expertise in the automotive sector, with a strong focus on innovation, safety, and sustainability. Some of the world’s most iconic car brands, such as Volvo, Saab, and Koenigsegg, have roots in Sweden. In recent years, Swedish companies have continued to lead the way in automotive innovation, particularly in developing electric and autonomous vehicles.

Sweden is home to several prominent automotive companies, including Volvo Cars, Scania, and NEVS, as well as a number of innovative startups in the industry. These companies are supported by world-class research and development facilities, as well as a highly skilled workforce with expertise in areas such as software development, electronics, and advanced materials.

Overall, Sweden’s expertise in the automotive sector is built on a foundation of innovation, safety, and sustainability. With a strong history in the industry and a continued focus on the future, Swedish companies are poised to remain at the forefront of automotive innovation in the years to come.

One reason for Sweden’s success in the automotive industry is its strong tradition of engineering and manufacturing. The country has a highly skilled workforce, and its universities offer world-class engineering programs. This has allowed Swedish automotive companies to be at the forefront of developing new technologies such as electrification, autonomous driving, and connected vehicles.

We at Sigma Technology are being a hard players within the vehicle industry for over 20 years and contributed to the development and shaping of today’s industry. Our deep experience and expertise in the industry have positioned us as a trusted partner to leading clients in Sweden and Germany. Today, over 1000 consultants work with clients to help them innovate throughout the whole value chain. 

Revolutionizing the Automotive Industry: The Power of Automotive IT Solutions and Embedded Software Development

The automotive industry is one of the most rapidly evolving industries in the world. The introduction of new technologies and the constantly changing regulations make it a challenging sector to work in.  

Furthermore, the evolution of embedded systems in the automotive sector has transformed how cars are manufactured and driven. With the integration of cutting-edge technology, cars are now equipped with advanced safety, infotainment, driving assistance packages, and connectivity features – everything that required advanced embedded systems. For developers and solution providers, it’s important to maximize the potential of these systems and have a strong grasp of hardware and software architecture, and be familiar with the demanding safety and reliability standards of the industry.

Latest trends in the automotive industry that will keep up evolving in 2023… 2024… and 2030

The automotive industry faces increasing demand to stay ahead of the latest advancements and trends in embedded system development. The customer needs improved safety, comfort, and energy efficiency in vehicles which drives the requirements for cutting-edge embedded system technology.

So here is a list of automotive IT solutions that will define the vehicles in the observable future! 

Advanced driver assistance systems

ADAS technologies are playing an increasingly important role in improving vehicle safety and reducing accidents. Major automakers are investing heavily in the development of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). These systems promote active safety by increasing the efficiency of roads, possibly by adding 22.5% capacity on average. These systems include: 

1. Adaptive cruise control 
2. Automatic emergency braking 
3. Lane departure warning and lane-keeping assistance 
4. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert 
5. Park assist and backup cameras 
6. Night vision and pedestrian detection 
7. Obstacle avoidance systems and collision warning 
8. Intelligent speed adaptation and speed limit recognition 
9. Electronic stability control and traction control systems 
10. Tire pressure monitoring systems 

These systems utilize a combination of sensors such as cameras, radars, and ultrasonic sensors to gather information about the driving environment and use embedded software to analyze and act on the data to enhance safety and convenience.

These automotive solutions are already actively used. For example, Tesla’s Model S electric car features an autopilot system that can automatically steer, brake, and change lanes on highways. The Swedish car manufacturer Volvo Cars offers a range of assistive technologies, including city safety (a collision avoidance system), a semi-autonomous driving system, adaptive cruise control, and others.

Other manufacturers are also working on similar pilotless driving technologies. These advances necessitate a greater focus on developing safe and reliable embedded systems. The trend towards automation and electrification of vehicles is resulting in a need for ever more complex embedded system functionality for ADAS.

Look into Autonomous Vehicle Technology 

The advancements in automotive technology have led to the integration of numerous sensors and devices in modern cars, driving the need for efficient and reliable embedded systems. One of the most groundbreaking developments in the industry is the rise of autonomous vehicles. According to a survey by the World Economic Forum, it is estimated that by 2030, roughly 15% of all vehicles sold will be fully autonomous.

These vehicles boast an array of sensors and advanced algorithms, enabling them to operate without human intervention, making driving safer, easier, and more efficient. While autonomous technology is still in its early stages, significant investments from top automakers and tech companies are driving its rapid progression. Currently, semi-autonomous systems are available commercially, with fully autonomous vehicles poised to become a norm in the near future, transforming transportation as we know it.

Companies like Volvo Cars and Scania are investing heavily in autonomous vehicle technology, leveraging their expertise in areas such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and sensor technology. For example, Volvo Cars has developed advanced autonomous driving technology, including its Pilot Assist system, which allows drivers to take their hands off the steering wheel in certain situations.

Meanwhile, Scania is exploring the use of autonomous trucks to revolutionize the transport industry, with a focus on improving efficiency, reducing emissions, and increasing safety. The company has already developed autonomous platooning technology, which enables a fleet of trucks to follow each other at a close distance, reducing air drag and fuel consumption. Overall, Swedish vehicle manufacturers are playing a key role in driving the development of autonomous vehicle technology, focusing on creating safer, more efficient, and more sustainable transportation solutions for the future.

Connectivity

Connected vehicles are revolutionizing the automotive industry by providing new levels of connectivity and data exchange between vehicles and other entities. This is made possible through advances in wireless technology, particularly the arrival of 5G networks (and actively developed 6G). 

Already today, 5G networks offer significantly higher speeds and capacity than previous generations of cellular networks, making them well-suited for connected vehicle applications.  

Some of the potential use cases of connected vehicles include: 

• Enhanced safety features such as automated emergency braking and collision avoidance (Hello, ADAS technologies) 
• Improvement of traffic management through real-time monitoring of road conditions 
• Infotainment systems: In-car entertainment systems that provide access to music, navigation, and other information and media 
• Remote diagnostics and vehicle management: Ability to monitor and diagnose vehicle performance and status remotely 
• Over-the-air software updates delivered wirelessly to the vehicle 
• Vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communication: Communication between vehicles and with other objects on the road (e.g. traffic lights, road signs) to improve safety and efficiency 
• Telematics services: Provision of real-time information and services (e.g. traffic updates, location-based services) through a connected vehicle 
• Fleet management: Monitoring and management of large fleets of vehicles to optimize performance and efficiency. 

By combining connectivity and embedded software, car manufacturers can offer features such as real-time traffic updates, remote diagnostics, and over-the-air software updates. These features improve the convenience and efficiency of driving, and also make it easier for manufacturers to monitor the performance of their vehicles and make necessary improvements.  

In addition, connected cars also have the potential to improve road safety by providing real-time data to drivers, such as speed limit warnings and accident alerts, and to support the development of autonomous vehicles by providing the vehicle with real-time information about its surroundings.

Overall, the integration of connectivity and embedded software in the automotive industry is transforming the way we drive and providing numerous benefits to drivers, manufacturers, and society as a whole.

One example of a Swedish car manufacturer’s connectivity solution is Volvo’s Sensus system, which is designed to integrate seamlessly with drivers’ mobile devices and provide access to a range of connected services. This includes music streaming, online navigation, and remote control of the vehicle’s heating and air conditioning system.

Another Swedish car manufacturer, Scania, has developed various connectivity solutions for its commercial vehicles. These solutions aim to improve vehicle efficiency and safety by providing real-time data on factors such as fuel consumption, engine performance, and driver behavior.

Lynk & Co also offers other connectivity services, such as remote vehicle control through a smartphone app, real-time traffic updates, and even a sharing feature that allows owners to lend their cars to family and friends via the app.

All of these services are designed to make the ownership experience more seamless and convenient for the customer.

6G: Connecting the World Faster Than Ever Before 

In the nearest future, automotive IT solutions will rely on 6G technology which is expected to provide faster, more reliable, and more secure communication than its predecessor, 5G. It is expected to play a significant role in the evolution of vehicle connectivity, enabling the development of new and improved services and applications for vehicles. 

Ericsson, a Swedish multinational networking and telecommunications company, emphasizes in its whitepaper 6G – Connecting a cyber-physical world, that 6G will bring together all necessary elements to create a smooth and seamless system. This system will allow for intelligent communication and connect the virtual world to the physical world. Trustworthy systems and efficient computing will support the networks of the future, providing endless connectivity for new applications and services. 6G will be a platform for innovation and the backbone of society’s information.

Digital twins and predictive maintenance 

Digital twins are advanced automotive IT solutions representing digital replicas of physical objects or systems, such as automobiles. They are created using data from real-world conditions, including measurements and operating parameters. Digital twins use advanced analytics to replicate and simulate the object, system, or process in real time. This helps monitor the performance of these objects or systems, detect anomalies, detect potential issues, and help optimize operations. Digital twins can also provide insights into the predictability of future conditions by looking at historical data.

Digital twins in the automotive industry provide an effective solution for predictive maintenance. A digital twin can be used to analyze performance data collected over time and under different conditions and conditions. Predictive maintenance using digital twins helps create a more sustainable, safe, and profitable auto industry by providing real-time views of relevant data from physical objects in the manufacturing process. Digital twins also enable the detection of problems in time, as well as the optimization of processes and improved efficiencies. Overall, a digital twin combined with predictive maintenance can provide insights and help understand the root cause of the problem.

One example of digital twins in the Swedish automarket is the use of digital twins in the development and testing of vehicles. Automakers use digital twin technology to create virtual representations of their cars, which allows them to simulate and test various scenarios in a virtual environment before the physical car is built. For example, they use digital twins to simulate crash tests, which allows them to identify potential safety issues and make design changes before the physical car is tested. This saves time and resources and can ultimately result in safer cars.

Additionally, digital twins are used for optimizing the manufacturing process by simulating and testing different production scenarios in a virtual environment. This allows them to identify potential bottlenecks and optimize the process for efficiency and quality.

Discover our case study, Predictive maintenance in the automotive industry.

Vehicle data platforms

Another hot trend in the vehicle industry that’s fueled by advanced embedded systems is Vehicle Data Platforms (VDP). A VDP is a system that collects data from a vehicle’s onboard sensors and computers and then uses that data to provide real-time feedback to the driver or automatically control certain systems within the vehicle. This type of system has a variety of potential applications, such as increasing fuel efficiency, improving safety, and providing a more personalized driving experience.

Several challenges need to be overcome before VDPs can reach their full potential. One challenge is integrating VDPs with existing vehicle systems. Another challenge is ensuring that the data collected by VDPs is accurate, reliable, and secure. Finally, there is the privacy issue: some people may be concerned about sharing their personal data with automakers or other third parties.

Some of the main benefits of VDPs include the following:

• Increased flexibility: VDPs offer a higher degree of flexibility than traditional development platforms, making it easier to adapt to changing market needs and customer requirements. 
• Improved efficiency: VDPs can help improve development efficiency by enabling developers to reuse components and modules across multiple projects. 
• Greater collaboration: VDPs facilitate greater collaboration between different teams involved in automotive embedded system development, such as hardware engineers, software developers, and testers. 

Swedish car manufacturers are investing heavily in vehicle data platforms and related technologies, with the goal of providing their customers with the most advanced and connected vehicles on the market. Here are some examples of Swedish car manufacturers that are utilizing vehicle data platforms in their vehicles.

Volvo Cars integrated a vehicle data platform called the “Volvo On Call” system into its vehicles. This platform allows drivers to remotely control various functions of their vehicle, such as locking and unlocking doors, starting and stopping the engine, and checking the fuel level from their smartphone. 

Scania developed a vehicle data platform called “Scania One” designed to provide fleet managers with real-time data on the performance and status of their vehicles. This platform allows fleet managers to monitor fuel consumption, maintenance schedules, and other key metrics to optimize operations. 

NEVS integrated a vehicle data platform into its electric vehicles that provide real-time data on the vehicle’s battery status, charging history, and driving patterns. This data can be used to optimize the vehicle’s performance and extend its battery life. 

Polestar developed a vehicle data platform called “Polestar Digital,” which is designed to provide drivers with a seamless and personalized user experience. This platform allows drivers to customize their driving settings, access real-time traffic data, and remotely control various functions of their vehicles from their smartphones. 

Vehicle as a Service

Vehicle as a Service (VaaS) is an emerging but already popular trend in the automotive industry. VaaS refers to a business model where customers can access a fleet of vehicles for their transportation needs without needing ownership. This can include options like car sharing, ride-hailing, and subscription services. In VaaS, the vehicle provider maintains ownership and responsibility for the vehicles, while customers pay for their use on a pay-per-use or subscription basis. The goal of VaaS is to provide convenient, flexible, and cost-effective mobility options for customers. Besides, this business model has an environmental impact of vehicle ownership and has several environmental benefits over traditional vehicle ownership models. Some of these include: 

1. Reduced vehicle emissions: By having a shared fleet of vehicles, the number of vehicles on the road is reduced, leading to lower greenhouse gas emissions. 
2. Increased vehicle utilization: In VaaS, vehicles are used more efficiently and have a higher utilization rate compared to privately owned vehicles, which often sit unused for long periods of time. 
3. Improved vehicle maintenance: Vehicle providers are responsible for maintaining the fleet of vehicles, and they can use technology and data analysis to optimize maintenance schedules and minimize the environmental impact of maintenance activities. 
4. Encourages the use of electric vehicles: With VaaS, the shift to electric vehicles can be accelerated, as vehicle providers can replace their fleets with electric vehicles more quickly than individual consumers. 
5. Reduced traffic congestion: By reducing the number of vehicles on the road, VaaS can also help to reduce traffic congestion, which has a positive impact on air quality and the environment.

Overall, the environmental benefits of VaaS stem from the increased efficiency and utilization of vehicles, which reduces the need for new vehicle production and helps to mitigate the negative impact of transportation on the environment.

Vehicle as a service (VaaS) and embedded software are connected in that VaaS typically involves using software, including embedded software, to control, manage, and monitor the usage of vehicles. Embedded software is software that is integrated into a device or system and designed to perform a specific function. Thus, in the context of VaaS, embedded software might be used to monitor vehicle usage, track vehicle location, and manage vehicle maintenance, among other things. The goal of VaaS is to provide customers with convenient and flexible access to vehicles, and embedded software is an important component in achieving this goal. 

Conclusions 

IT solutions and embedded automotive software play a crucial role in developing the modern automotive industry. With advancements in technology, we can expect these solutions to evolve and become even more sophisticated in the future.

Features such as predictive maintenance, advanced driver assistance systems, and connected vehicle technology are just a few examples of how automotive IT solutions and embedded software will shape the future of the industry.

In Sweden, the automotive industry has a strong tradition of innovation and a focus on sustainability. This, combined with a well-established technology sector, positions Sweden as a leader in developing innovative automotive IT solutions and embedded software. Moving forward, we can expect Sweden to continue to play a major role in shaping the future of the automotive industry through the development and implementation of cutting-edge technology.