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Realizing the Smartphone on Wheels

Why and how vehicle electronics evolve to server-based architectures

Mobility is on the path to becoming smarter, increasingly automated, and more sustainable. Though these developments seem to progress in parallel, they all have one thing in common: Digitalization of vehicle technology is their underlying driver and enabler. The vehicle of the future will be defined by software. It will increasingly act as a smartphone on wheels. This means exchanging data and communicating with the cloud, other vehicles, road users or the infrastructure. New features, but also essential updates to firmware or cyber security will be installed over-the-air.

The compilation, processing, and interpretation of the rapidly growing data volumes necessary to realize this development are leading to a hidden but highly impactful revolution: A new type of network and vehicle architecture, which shapes the next steps in the evolution of mobility. Today's vehicle architectures are reaching their limits in terms of complexity and capability. The automotive industry is therefore shifting to  a completely new approach with the goal to create a central architecture: The computing power with corresponding functions is now being concentrated in a few but powerful central computers, while zone controllers ensure the reliable execution of the vehicle functions. This is how the software frees itself from the limitations of hardware and creates the prerequisite for continuous updates and improvements to the “lifelong learning” vehicle. This new approach not only transforms technology and the product portfolio, in fact, it hugely impacts a multitude of aspects. With these new architectures, vehicles will become an integral part of the Internet of Things. They will evolve and adapt over the lifetime and seamlessly integrate in the digital life of their owners and users. For the industry, these new architectures and high-performance computers lead to a profound transformation. They change how we develop technology, how we work together, and they demand new competencies in our project teams.

For our business, this development presents new challenges but also opportunities. The traditional hardware-focus in the automotive industry will increasingly be supplemented and partially replaced by software and service-driven business. This will create new value streams that will drive new business models and establish new forms of cooperation not only between suppliers and OEMs but also between vehicle buyers or users and automotive manufacturers.

At our TechTalk on July 27, 2021, you were able to learn about the impact the transformation of products, processes and business models has on us, as the first tier-one supplier to successfully bring a high-performance computer into series production, the mobility and the industry.

We have prepared the following sessions for you:

  • Transformation in Products (Download presentation - pdf (1.56MB))
    Speaker: Michael Huelsewies, former Senior Vice President of Architecture & Software, Holistic Engineering and Technologies, Continental
  • Transformation in Processes (Download presentation - pdf (2.27MB))
    Speaker: Karsten Michels, Head of Research & Advanced Engineering, Holistic Engineering and Technologies, Continental
  • Transformation in Business (Download presentation - pdf (1.77MB))
    Speaker: Johann Hiebl, Head of Product Transformation, Vehicle Networking and Information, Continental

Here you can find a background article on the topic of server-based achtitecture.

You are also welcome to visit our site every now and then. Throughout the year, we will continuously provide you with further information. Be curious!

Please find here more information about "More Intelligence with Server-based E/E Architectures"

Click here for the Continental Cockpit High Performance Computer

Contact

Sebastian Fillenberg

Head of Content, Media Spokesperson and Topic Manager Architecture and Networking

Continental Automotive

Jennifer Weyrich

Media Spokesperson and Topic Manager Autonomous Mobility

Continental Automotive

(On maternity leave)

Our Experts

Our speakers at the TechTalk on the topic of server-based architecture.

Press Releases

Please find here our current press releases on the topic of server-based architecture.