Continental’s work on high-performance pc performance and digital testing might speed up the event cycle for SDVs. By Will Girling
Excessive-performance computer systems (HPCs) are a central part enabling the rise of software-defined autos (SDVs). This {hardware} offers the processing and computing energy essential for automakers to understand revolutionary, software-driven options. Mixed with over-the-air updates, HPCs can allow automotive to iterate car performance repeatedly in an equal method to the tech business.
Right now, automotive engineers proceed to chase increased system efficiency whereas additionally searching for reductions in general price and energy consumption. Enhanced HPC performance might come more and more beneath the highlight as an necessary space for optimisation. As such, multi-national Tier 1 provider Continental has been exploring not simply how {hardware} and software program could be enhanced to unlock new features but in addition learn how to convey SDVs to the market quicker.
Fragmentation to consolidation
Martin Schleicher, Head of Software program Technique at Continental, explains to Automotive World that using HPCs in autos has traditionally been fragmented. The primary generations have been stored separate from one another and focused particular domains, reminiscent of cockpit and superior driver help methods (ADAS). In Might 2024, Continental grew to become the primary firm to buck this pattern by implementing a cross-domain HPC in an actual car.
The shift from area to server-zone architectures permits car electronics to be grouped into sections with their very own ECUs and particular features. For Continental, the essential enabling part was the Snapdragon Trip Flex System-on-Chip, which helps multi-modal workloads on a single {hardware} gadget.
“Cross-domain HPCs imply we will run ADAS features on a cockpit pc, for instance, though their functionalities are normally separate,” says Schleicher. This contains complicated options like automated parking utilizing ultrasonic sensors and encompass view cameras. Along with broadening system capabilities by consolidating a number of features throughout the identical HPC, Continental can ship software program updates and new features.
Unlocking new enterprise fashions
Though cross-domain HPCs maintain thrilling potential, Schleicher emphasises that their sensible implementation is at the moment removed from easy. Sure features might require substantial graphics energy or accompanying machine studying capabilities on the gadget to run correctly. Discovering how disparate domains operating on the identical HPC work together will likely be an necessary studying expertise. “That’s one of many causes we’re doing this: to grasp how far we will take area consolidation,” he says.
Schleicher anticipates that consolidating methods won’t solely cut back car weight and probably shrink general car measurement over time but in addition unlock new enterprise fashions. The last word final result would successfully be general-purpose computer systems on wheels with enough compute energy so as to add all kinds of software-driven options over the lifetime of a car—a definite monetisation alternative that solely SDVs can unlock.
“By retaining the identical {hardware} however upgrading the performance with software program, automakers can preserve their automobiles enticing and differentiate their model,” he says. “The flexibleness of a cross-domain HPC can even enable them to maneuver features that don’t slot in one ECU to a different, which means OEMs can decide how and the place their compute energy is distributed.” Since the whole lot in an electrical SDV will likely be drawing from the identical energy supply—the battery—customisable effectivity can even assist maximise vary, one other necessary client consideration.
Constructing enthusiasm for SDVs
By 2030, McKinsey & Co forecasts that world automotive software program and electronics will likely be price US$462bn—up from round US$2.5bn in 2019. Within the wake of the CrowdStrike system outage, automotive gamers will likely be extra conscious than ever that bugs and software program errors can result in disastrous outcomes on a world scale. With the consultancy additionally estimating that 90% of autos offered by 2030 can have connectivity options, a few of which will likely be essential security features, that is one thing the business can’t afford to threat. The problem with automotive turning into really software-defined is that improvement should stability pace with security: take a look at cycles should be as quick as potential to be aggressive with out creating undue threat due to unvalidated work.
By means of the Continental Automotive Edge Framework (CAEdge), a cloud-based improvement setting, Schleicher states that automotive engineers might look at, develop, and keep system software program on a digital HPC: “We will speed up the time-to-market for brand new features by permitting engineers to check new software program in a digital setting earlier than it goes into manufacturing.” Continental estimates that CAEdge can generate 5 million digital kilometres and 100PB of take a look at knowledge in only one week. By facilitating parallel {hardware} and software program improvement, the corporate claims that product improvement cycles could be considerably condensed. “A cockpit HPC, for instance, might need taken 24 to 36 months to validate. We will convey that right down to 18 months,” states Schleicher.
Continental needs to show each what’s potential when it comes to {hardware} and what we will supply automotive engineers as standalone software program
The street to SDVs will likely be difficult: automakers should stability performance, upgradability, and compatibility whereas additionally contemplating how a system suits holistically throughout the dimensions and specs of a car. Demand for these time and value saving instruments already exists, in line with Schleicher, though the business would possibly want to attend as much as three years for a completely commercially viable cross-domain HPC. “At this level, Continental needs to show each what’s potential when it comes to {hardware} and what we will supply automotive engineers as standalone software program features.” He hopes this technical “showcase” will proceed to construct enthusiasm for the chances of SDV know-how within the coming years.
