Continental makes SDVs shut to non-public computer systems on wheels

Excessive-performance computer systems (HPCs) are a central element enabling the rise of software-defined autos (SDVs). This {hardware} offers the processing and computing energy crucial for automakers to grasp revolutionary, software-driven options. Mixed with over-the-air updates, HPCs can allow automotive to iterate automobile performance repeatedly in an equal method to the tech business.

Right now, automotive engineers proceed to chase larger system efficiency whereas additionally searching for reductions in general value and energy consumption. Enhanced HPC performance may come more and more below the highlight as an essential space for optimisation. As such, multi-national Tier 1 provider Continental has been exploring not simply how {hardware} and software program might be enhanced to unlock new features but additionally find out how to carry SDVs to the market sooner.

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 saved separate from one another and focused particular domains, resembling cockpit and superior driver help techniques (ADAS). In Might 2024, Continental grew to become the primary firm to buck this development by implementing a cross-domain HPC in an actual automobile.

The shift from area to server-zone architectures permits automobile electronics to be grouped into sections with their very own ECUs and particular features. For Continental, the important enabling element was the Snapdragon Journey Flex System-on-Chip, which helps multi-modal workloads on a single {hardware} system.

“Cross-domain HPCs imply we will run ADAS features on a cockpit pc, for instance, although their functionalities are normally separate,” says Schleicher. This contains advanced options like computerized 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 present removed from easy. Sure features may require substantial graphics energy or accompanying machine studying capabilities on the system to run correctly. Discovering how disparate domains operating on the identical HPC work together can be an essential 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 techniques is not going to solely scale back automobile weight and probably shrink general automobile dimension over time but additionally unlock new enterprise fashions. The last word end result would successfully be general-purpose computer systems on wheels with ample compute energy so as to add all kinds of software-driven options over the lifetime of a automobile—a definite monetisation alternative that solely SDVs can unlock.

“By retaining the identical {hardware} however upgrading the performance with software program, automakers can hold their automobiles enticing and differentiate their model,” he says. “The pliability of a cross-domain HPC will even enable them to maneuver features that don’t slot in one ECU to a different, that means OEMs can decide how and the place their compute energy is distributed.” Since every thing in an electrical SDV can be drawing from the identical energy supply—the battery—customisable effectivity will even assist maximise vary, one other essential shopper consideration.

Constructing enthusiasm for SDVs

By 2030, McKinsey & Co forecasts that world automotive software program and electronics can be price US$462bn—up from round US$2.5bn in 2019. Within the wake of the CrowdStrike system outage, automotive gamers can be extra conscious than ever that bugs and software program errors can result in disastrous outcomes on a worldwide scale. With the consultancy additionally estimating that 90% of autos bought by 2030 may have connectivity options, a few of which can be important security features, that is one thing the business can’t afford to threat. The problem with automotive turning into actually software-defined is that growth should stability velocity with security: take a look at cycles have to be as quick as doable to be aggressive with out creating undue threat due to unvalidated work.

Via the Continental Automotive Edge Framework (CAEdge), a cloud-based growth surroundings, Schleicher states that automotive engineers may study, develop, and preserve 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 surroundings 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 growth, the corporate claims that product growth cycles might be considerably condensed. “A cockpit HPC, for instance, may need taken 24 to 36 months to validate. We will carry that right down to 18 months,” states Schleicher.

Continental needs to reveal each what’s doable when it comes to {hardware} and what we will supply automotive engineers as standalone software program

The street to SDVs can be difficult: automakers should stability performance, upgradability, and compatibility whereas additionally contemplating how a system matches holistically inside the dimensions and specs of a automobile. Demand for these time and value saving instruments already exists, based on 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 reveal each what’s doable 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 probabilities of SDV know-how within the coming years.