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Power Ecosystem and Electromobility

Power Ecosystem and Electromobility

Electromobility is gaining an increasingly significant role in the “Power Ecosystem,” presenting companies with a multitude of challenges. Simultaneously, it opens up numerous opportunities for innovative solutions and new business models. In this blog article, we will delve into the key aspects of electromobility in the power ecosystem, succinctly summarized.

Challenges of Electromobility in the Power Ecosystem

Ensuring sufficient grid capacity is crucial for reliable charging processes. Companies face the task of investing in technologies that optimize grid capacity and promote the integration of renewable energies.

  • Diversity of Plugs and Standards

The variety of plugs and standards poses a challenge. Compatibility of charging stations with different plug types and standards is essential, necessitating standardized solutions.

  • Charging Times and Speed

Fast charging times are a crucial customer need. Companies must choose the right charging speed and technology to meet requirements, with technological innovations playing a vital role.

  • Site Selection

Strategic site selection for charging stations is critical for success. Companies need to carefully consider factors such as accessibility, traffic density, and parking facilities.

  • Costs and Economic Viability

Investing in charging stations is expensive. Companies must conduct economic planning that considers usage and charging prices.

  • User-Friendliness and Customer Experience

User-friendly charging stations, simple payment systems, and a positive customer experience are crucial. The integration of apps and reliable systems contributes to customer satisfaction.

  • Regulations

Awareness and compliance with regulatory requirements are indispensable. Companies must be aware of and fully comply with local laws and regulations.

  • Fleet Charging Infrastructure

Developing an efficient charging infrastructure for fleets requires a holistic strategy. Scalable solutions are needed to meet the demands of fleet operators.

  • Maintenance and Support

Regular maintenance is crucial to avoid failures. Companies must ensure well-organized maintenance processes and provide reliable support when needed.

  • Data Security and Billing

The security of customer data and reliable billing processes are of great importance. Companies should rely on robust security protocols and implement transparent billing procedures.

  • Availability of Charging Infrastructure

Providing sufficient charging stations is a challenge. Companies need to develop scalable models to support the growing number of electric vehicles.

Successfully addressing these challenges requires comprehensive strategic planning, technical expertise, and close collaboration with various stakeholders. At magility, we are pleased to assist companies in developing and successfully implementing a comprehensive e-mobility strategy in the power ecosystem. Energy Management and balancing plays a key role in the future. 

Electric Vehicles and Fleets as Flexible Energy Sources in the Power Ecosystem

Electric vehicles and fleets not only offer mobility but can also act as flexible energy sources. Through bidirectional charging, also known as Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G), they can contribute to grid stabilization.

Challenges in Electric Vehicles and Fleets

  • Infrastructure for Charging Stations: See previous section
  • Charging Times: Require careful planning and integration into operations.
  • Range Anxiety: Concerns about limited range require specific solutions
  • Costs: Higher acquisition costs compared to conventional vehicles
  • Charging Infrastructure Costs: Investments in charging stations and infrastructure
  • Technical Expertise: Transition requires qualified personnel or access to skilled workers
  • Fleet Management: Requires specialized software solutions
  • Charging Infrastructure Management: Optimal use of infrastructure
  • Environmental Impacts: Consideration of ecological aspects
  • Brand Impacts: Transition can influence brand imag
  • Cybersecurity: Implementation of necessary security measures
  • Availability of Government Incentives: Dependent on regional incentive programs

Addressing these challenges requires strategic planning, infrastructure investments, and employee training. At magility, we offer comprehensive consulting services to assist companies in successfully implementing their electric vehicle initiatives.

Bidirectional Charging: Potentials and Challenges in the Electricity Ecosystem

Bidirectional Charging (BDL) or Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) is an innovative technology where electric vehicles not only draw energy from the grid but can also feed energy back into the grid.

Challenges of Bidirectional Charging in the Power Ecosystem

  • Technical Complexity: Requires special hardware in vehicles and charging stations
  • Battery Lifespan: Controlled charging and discharging are crucial
  • Standardization: Uniform standards for interoperability are lacking
  • Grid Integration: Requires careful integration into the existing grid
  • Security: Robust security protocols and hardware are necessary
  • Economic Incentives: Creation of incentives for end consumers and operators
  • Regulatory Hurdles: Adjustments in existing regulations are necessary
  • Data Security: Protection of user data is a central challenge

Potentials of Bidirectional Charging in the Power Ecosystem

  • Grid Stabilization: Contribution to stabilizing the power grid
  • Peak Load Management: Reduction of peak loads on the grid
  • Renewable Integration: Efficient integration of renewable energies
  • Additional Revenue Streams: Income through energy feed-in
  • Emergency Power Supply: Use of electric vehicles as emergency power sources
  • Sustainability: Increase in the overall sustainability of the energy system

Companies investing in bidirectional charging technology can benefit not only from ecological advantages but also unlock new business opportunities. Our experts at magility and the experts of our partner Hive Power are ready to assist companies in realizing the associated potentials.

Magility, we don’t just drive business ecosystems. We invite you to connect with us for a discussion on the electricity landscape. Stay tuned for more insights in our upcoming blog on the Electricity Ecosystem!

Magility @ IAA MOBILITY

Magility @ IAA MOBILITY

Visitor surge at IAA MOBILITY 2023

IAA MOBILITY 2023 witnessed record levels of international participation, with 750 exhibitors from 38 countries, making it a truly global event for exhibitors, speakers, guests, and journalists. The event showcased in excess of 300 world premieres and innovations, underscoring the exhibitors’ exceptional innovation capabilities. More than 500,000 visitors attended the event from September 5th to 10th, with over 100,000 people present at the IAA MOBILITY’s Open Space in the heart of Munich on Saturday alone. International media coverage increased by over 70 percent compared to IAA Mobility 2021, with 3,700 accredited journalists from 82 countries in attendance. This high level of international presence was also reflected in the visitor demographics, with approximately 30 percent of the attendees originating from 109 different foreign countries.

Engagement with Stakeholders, Politics, Society, and Business

The IAA MOBILITY was inaugurated by Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and it featured over 500 high-profile international speakers at the IAA Conference, providing exclusive insights into the future of mobility. This included many leading CEOs from both established mobility and tech companies as well as promising startups. Notable international figures, such as Oscar winner Natalie Portman, Mars mission candidate Alyssa Carson, and climate advocate Sophia Kianni, also took the stage in Munich.

The intensive dialogues and constructive debates with various stakeholders from politics, society, and business at the Open Space and IAA Summit are crucial elements in achieving climate-neutral mobility successfully.

The recent images broadcasted from Munich vividly depict the automotive industry’s unwavering commitment to preserving Germany’s status as the “Land of the Car” while aligning with climate objectives, the welfare of individuals, and economic prosperity. The advanced concept introduced in Munich has demonstrated consistent success this year.

Magility @ IAA Mobility 2023 – Our Perspective on the New IAA Mobility

IAA Mobility 2023 served as a crucial platform for the global automotive industry to showcase its latest technologies and innovations. From the vantage point of an automotive technology consulting firm such as Magility GmbH, the following trends become particularly prominent.

Electromobility

The electrification of automobiles remains the most significant trend in the industry.

The use of electromobility is increasing worldwide due to legal regulations and financial incentives. New emissions regulations in China and Europe, along with government incentives in the USA and Europe, are making electric vehicles more attractive to consumers. Simultaneously, advanced driver-assistance systems are paving the way for semi-autonomous mobility in the near future. The utilization of shared mobility, especially among Generation Z, is expected to rise significantly. The increasingly digital and connected lifestyle of consumers is also driving higher demand for seamless mobility solutions, particularly in the micro-mobility and last-mile transportation sectors. The automotive industry must embrace comprehensive connectivity as the foundation to address this mobility revolution.

IAA Mobility 2023 showcased numerous new electric vehicles, including models from established manufacturers like BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagen. Many Chinese OEMs are actively contributing to this trend, offering their electric vehicles at competitive prices. The significance of charging infrastructure for electric mobility was further highlighted during the IAA MOBILITY.

Vehicle batteries are becoming “virtual power plants” within a smart grid. Swiss startup Hive Power demonstrated how smart grid balancing works.

Connectivity

Connectivity is another crucial trend in the automotive industry. The growing importance of connectivity for vehicle manufacturers stems from the fact that cars are becoming increasingly digitalized devices on wheels. Connected vehicles can communicate with other vehicles, infrastructure, and the internet, opening up new opportunities for safety, convenience, and entertainment.

This transformation requires traditional automakers, initially not primarily software companies, to build their expertise and establish partnerships to acquire the necessary skills to manage the complexity of software-defined vehicles. Investments in enabling seamless connected digital experiences are necessary to meet consumer expectations. Simultaneously, automakers must address the challenges of data management and cybersecurity as the volume of data, both within and outside the vehicle, continues to grow.

To better align themselves with connectivity, automakers must strike a balance between the costs of developing mobility services and the potential revenues from digital offerings. They need to accurately assess consumer willingness to pay in different markets and segments and strategically determine where to focus their efforts. Connectivity is crucial for enabling the new era of mobility, not just a means to an end. The IAA Mobility 2023 showcased numerous new connectivity solutions.

Sustainability

The concept of “sustainable mobility” goes beyond emission reduction and the development of alternative propulsion systems. It also encompasses the more efficient use of transportation modes. In public transportation and shared mobility, better utilization can help reduce the number of vehicles in urban areas. Smart cities and vehicle connectivity offer opportunities for smarter and more sustainable traffic management.

The question of whether we can achieve entirely emissions-free driving in the future becomes intriguing due to new projects related to E-fuels and carbon capture. There are many opportunities in the mobility sector to become more sustainable and improve the lives of billions of people and the environment.

The automotive industry is acutely aware of the challenges posed by climate change and is working to make its products and processes more sustainable. Sustainability was a central theme at the IAA Mobility 2023. “Circular economy” is a current buzzword and was a challenging topic in the IAA Mobility Visionary Club.The concept of a circular economy holds the potential to deliver eco-friendly mobility while posing both an opportunity and a challenge for the automotive sector. At its essence, it strives to generate new without depleting fresh resources.

Such an approach enables the sustainable use of finite resources and contributes to reducing CO2 emissions. A new label for sustainable vehicles was also introduced at the IAA.

[infobox headline=”At a glance”]

  • The IAA MOBILITY 2023 recorded record participation with 750 exhibitors from 38 countries.
  • Over 300 world premieres and innovations were presented.
  • The event attracted more than 500,000 visitors, including over 100,000 on a single Saturday.
  • International media coverage increased by over 70 percent compared to 2021.
  • German Chancellor Olaf Scholz opened the event, and over 500 high-profile international speakers discussed the future of mobility.
  • Electromobility remains a key trend, with increasing adoption due to legal regulations and financial incentives worldwide.
  • Connectivity is becoming increasingly important as cars are becoming digitally connected devices on wheels.
  • Sustainable mobility goes beyond emissions reduction and alternative propulsion and includes more efficient use of transportation.
  • New projects involving E-fuels and CO2 capture could enable a carbon-neutral future.
  • Additional trends include software-defined vehicles, artificial intelligence, and advanced safety technologies.

[/infobox]

The automotive industry is undergoing a massive technological transformation, with electrification, connectivity, and software development shaping the future.

Other Trends at IAA Mobility 2023

Additionally, the IAA Mobility 2023 featured the following trends:

  • Software-defined Vehicles: Software is becoming a critical success factor in the automotive industry. New providers of automotive operating systems, such as SONATUS from California, are emerging.
  • Artificial Intelligence: Customers increasingly expect personalized products and services. Automotive manufacturers and suppliers are working to personalize their offerings with AI. Numerous new personalized products and services were showcased at the IAA Mobility 2023. For example, German company XaiTeck, which defines applications using Explainable Artificial Intelligence and Knowledge Graphs, presented its innovations.
  • Security: Security is a central theme for the automotive industry. The IAA Mobility 2023 introduced various new safety technologies, with a focus on autonomous driving systems. Cybersecurity companies like Magility Cyber Security GmbH also made their presence felt.

The IAA Mobility 2023 demonstrated that the automotive industry is undergoing a massive and profound technological transformation and facing international competition. Electrification, connectivity, and electronification (software) are the most critical technological trends that will continue to shape the industry in the coming years from Magility’s perspective.

The Way to the Software-Defined Vehicle

The Way to the Software-Defined Vehicle

At the 26th International Automotive Electronics Congress 2022 in Ludwigsburg, the top industry event for electronics experts and decision-makers in the automotive sector, the focus was on the path to the software-defined car. What does it take in the automotive industry to develop the software-defined car safely, efficiently and sustainably? What are the automotive industry’s current pain points in this multi-layered challenge? What role do regulations play? Do we need cross-border standards to get there? And what role do consumer experiences play? How are the individual players in the automotive industry meeting the current challenges, and why are open source approaches and cooperation particularly important now? Many questions, but also controversial discussions, characterized the traditional congress at the Forum am Schlosspark. Despite many answers, also many questions remained unanswered. The conclusion: There is still a lot to do!

The software-defined car

Up to now, software has been and still is to a large extent very closely linked to the hardware module or electronic control unit (ECU) in the vehicle, which takes over a very specific functionality there. In the “traditional car”, the software hardly evolved during the life of a vehicle and any necessary updates required a visit to the workshop. In the software-defined car, functions are defined by the software rather than the specific hardware modules, similar to applications we run on our smartphones or computers. This allows the functions to evolve and improve throughout the life of the vehicle and even add new functions and features as necessary within the hardware limits. With the software-defined vehicle, new features and services or apps are enabled in the vehicle as needed, either individually or for a limited time. This creates multiple opportunities for new business models, and software-as-a-service becomes tangible for car users. The value of a vehicle can even be increased during its life cycle by adding features at a later stage. Manufacturers’ focus on user experience is becoming a critical success factor. Data can be transmitted over-the-air (OTA), the vehicle can communicate with the infrastructure, collect and send data to the cloud, and receive data. Mobility services, automated driving and the further development of e-mobility are only made possible by software. So the car continues to evolve into a software-centric electronic device on wheels. This no longer has much to do with the original way an automobile worked. The automotive industry is still in the midst of transformation and must open itself up to an even greater extent to market participants from and cooperations with the software and communications industry.

The most important topics and statements of the speakers

After the opening by Alfred Vollmer, Editor-in-Chief of “Automobil-Elektronik” and initiator of the Automotive Electronics Congress, Ricky Hudi took over the moderation and handed over to the first speaker of the day, Porsche CEO Oliver Blume, who spoke about Porsche’s vision of the future and appealed to the emotions of the audience. In this regard, when it came to software-defined vehicle, the use of an open operating system that works with AI and enables the vehicle to connect to different ecosystems around the world was particularly important to him. He also clearly stood for the recognition of the human factor and emphasized the importance of bringing employees along in the transformation and placing them at the center of concepts for success. After all, he said, the transformation cannot be mastered without motivated employees who share the company’s vision and brand values and understand and internalize the necessary steps on the way to the software-defined vehicle. 

The future strategy at Mercedes-Benz was the focus of the keynote speech by Magnus Österberg, Head of Software at the Stuttgart-based automaker. It became quite clear: Mercedes-Benz claims market leadership in the luxury segment. The new MB.OS operating system (to go into series production in 2024) and the software development center in Sindelfingen play a decisive role in achieving the ambitious goals. However, Österberg was also critical: “We are leaders in the field of electrical engineering, but there is still a long way to go before we become market leaders in the field of software.” 

The world’s largest automotive supplier has managed the transformation from a pure hardware company to a software company, said Mathias Pillin (President Cross Domain Computing Solutions at Bosch). Today, however, the biggest challenge of a Tier 1 is to make it clear to the OEM that not only hardware, but also software has an independent value. It is the software, he said, that makes it possible to process data from a connected vehicle in the quantity and quality to provide individual services and functions.

Dipti Vachani, SVP Automotive and IoT at arm, sees an interplay between hardware and software: “Software-defined vehicles need specific computing power and hardware tailored to the workload of the car. To achieve this, software development today must be integrated into the vehicle development process at a very early stage and meet different demands for performance and compatibility. This compatibility across the entire vehicle is and remains a major challenge for manufacturers. For her, the interlocking further development of hardware and software is the top priority. 

Panel discussion “Semiconductors: The Base of the Software-defined Car”. 

Moderated by Alfred Vollmer (Automotive Electronics), Jens Fabrowsky (Bosch), Calista Redmond (RISC-V International), Dipti Vachani (arm), Lars Reger (NXP) and Magnus Östberg (Mercedes-Benz), discussed the position of semiconductors in the automotive sector. Commenting on the reports and rumors that OEMs are now building their own chips, Lars Rieger of NXP said, “Let’s dispel the myths a bit. Tesla gets 99% of its chips from companies like us. All they have done is develop an AI accelerator.” And on semiconductor shortages, he commented, “98% of all automotive semiconductors will be above 20 nm in the next 15 years.” Arm’s Dipti Vachani emphasized that innovation has not slowed down due to Corona and that the industry is moving like never before. Magnus Östberg argued that the industry should become more professional in dealing with risks. All the panelists were equally clear that scaling must become the focus of attention.

User experience as a central feature of the software-defined vehicle

The vehicle as the ultimate mobile device: a major topic at the congress. According to Stephan Durach, SVP Connected Company Development at BMW, hardware is increasingly taking a back seat, while intuitive, natural interaction in the car is becoming more and more important. At BMW, this is implemented in the form of a virtual assistant or intelligent navigation. However, it would remain exciting to see what would happen with Apple’s Car Play system, for example, should conflicts of interest arise on the subject of user interface.

When it came to the topic of user experience, three speakers were very much in agreement: Dirk Walliser, SVP Corporate Research & Development at the ZF Group, got to the heart of the matter in his very interesting presentation. The software-defined vehicle is much more than just software. It is much more about the user experience. As far as the cost structure is concerned, however, it is still not clear who will bear the costs for additional software functions in the future: The OEM or the customer?

At Harman International, the focus is also on the consumer experience. For Christian Sobottka, President of the Automotive Division, customers rightly expect to find everything they use on their smartphones in their cars within a very short time. And Riclef Schmidt-Clausen, SVP Domain Intelligent Cockpit & Body at Cariad, noted that smartphone manufacturers clearly still lead the way in user experience. Reaching this level in the automotive industry is a major challenge, he said.

Collaboration as the key to success?

Christoph Hartung (ETAS) spoke about how this challenge could be solved quickly in his presentation, which also contained quite provocative statements: There is no more hierarchical industry than the automotive industry, and AUTOSAR (an initiative to create an open software architecture for ECUs) was founded in 2003 because the industry was “deep in the sh***” at that time. Currently, we are again in a similar situation with the further development of the user interface in the software-defined vehicle, says Hartung – but the willingness to cooperate is basically there in the industry. Karsten Michels, Head of Productline at Continental Automotive, put it similarly, but less provocatively: “Collaboration is the key, we’re all in the same boat.”

Calista Redmond, CEO of RISC-V International brought the topic of open source collaboration model to the stage with a lot of enthusiasm. RISC-V is a free and open ISA that aims to enable a new era of processor innovation through open standards collaboration. 

Other presentations by top-notch speakers on exciting insights enriched the congress. 

The setting and the atmosphere

For the 26th time already, the doors of the congress opened, which every year is the central meeting point for almost 600 industry experts, mainly from the automotive electrics/electronics sector. The “Great Reunion of the Industry”, as the congress is also fondly called, takes place at the Forum am Schlosspark in Ludwigsburg. For the first time, the event was held exclusively in English – whether this contributed to the quality of the congress is something we at magility critically question. Criticism was also voiced among the participants that with a proportion of German-speaking visitors of certainly at least 90%, a great deal was “lost in translation”. Visitors were able to visit the accompanying trade exhibition before the lecture rooms and find out about the latest developments from exhibitors in the industry live and make contacts. At the culinary networking event in the evening in the neighboring riding hall, the mood was relaxed; many finally saw each other in person for the first time after two years of pandemic. 

We were struck this year by the slight increase in the number of female visitors, both on and off stage. With a share of about 3% of the total number of visitors, however, there is still plenty of room for improvement! 

 

Software-defined Car

The number of female attendees was clearly reflected in the visit to the ladies’ toilets. Conclusion: At this congress the men have to queue 😉

magility Insights

We from magility met many business partners at the congress, had interesting conversations and were pleased to be able to network in person again. As always, the congress was smoothly organized. Thematically, it was more about “in the vehicle” and less about networking and infrastructure, which plays an equally important role in the software-defined vehicle for us at magility. The topic of fleet clearly came up short for us and the subject matter of the speakers has changed only minimally from the time before Corona. Cooperations are important, almost all participants agreed on that. This was also the case before Corona. However, few cooperations were presented this year, which may be an unintended side effect of the Corona pandemic with its contact restrictions. 

For us from magility, the presentation by Huawei was very impressive, in which it was explained what has already been implemented and achieved there in the last 3 years. Huawei introduced its first electric car Seres Huawei Smart Selection SF5 only last year and the speed with which Huawei is on the move in the further development of intelligent automotive solutions should shake up all other market players. In their presentations the German companies talked even more about what should be implemented. 

The road to the software-defined vehicle is without a doubt one of the key challenges for the German automotive industry that needs to be tackled with verve and without delay. Here in the Stuttgart metropolitan region, we have the best prerequisites for helping to shape the mobility of the future on a solid basis if we approach the new market participants with an open mind, see cooperation as an opportunity, and rely at least in part on uniform software development. Not everyone has to cook their own soup. But together we have the chance to turn the soup into a star menu! Let’s do great things together! We at magility are happy to help! 

The EcoMotion Week – Innovative Startups on the Pulse of Time

The EcoMotion Week – Innovative Startups on the Pulse of Time

The EcoMotion Week took place virtually once again this year, and unfortunately under the most unfavorable circumstances imaginable. Every year, the important startup fair in the tech metropolis of Tel Aviv brings together leading global companies and startups that are doing pioneering work in the field of smart mobility. This year, around 600 startups, quite a few investors, industry leaders, associations, universities, policy makers and other key participants, used the virtual space to take advantage of various opportunities for knowledge sharing, networking and business initiation. Under the theme of Smart Mobility, countless interactions have taken place in the field of innovative technologies from Autonomous & Connected, Mobility Services, Electrification & Energy, Drones & Aviation, and Supply Chain.

The EcoMotion Week stages – at the pulse of time

It started after the Opening Words on the first day with a virtual challenge stage. Here, various experts were able to exchange ideas on current mobility topics. The topics were given and were categorized into different core industries as well as countries. In this way, the resulting discussions were pre-structured and moderated. 

On the Startup Stage, the high-tech startups were represented with virtual booths whose virtual rooms were unlocked at set times. The second day started with the “Opening Words” by Orlie Gruper, Executive Advisor of EcoMotion, on the main stage. This stage was followed throughout the day by fireside chats, interviews and presentations on the most important topics of smart mobility. VDA President Hildegard Müller was also a speaker, laying out the connections between the German automotive industry and the Israeli startup ecosystem. The content that followed covered infrastructure development, the new era of electrification, the shift to the new age of smart mobility, and of course a discussion about the new cyber security regulations of UNECE WP.29, which pose major challenges to the automotive industry, was not to be missed. We at magility have already reported on this several times. Our startup partner Argus Cyber Security, one of the world’s best-known automotive cyber security companies, has been preparing for these regulations for years and has already implemented the necessary measures in its products. 

Groundbreaking technologies through connectivity

The conference continued with presentations on autonomous driving, e.g. how connectivity can be taken to the next level and the role of the aftermarket as a target market. The presentations repeatedly emphasized how important cooperations in a wide variety of fields are becoming today in order to accelerate innovations. It was also reported how a whole new area of value creation can be opened up through the networking of data, starting with development and continuing through production to the vehicle on the road or the condition of the road itself. What was clearly emphasized was how urban mobility is becoming the central theme of startups. Public-private partnerships are accelerating future mobility and EV solutions in this context, more and more flanked by political institutions. 

Tracking electromagnetic radiation

Also under discussion were the increasing electromagnetic challenges in the automotive industry. The magility startup partner VHOLA from Israel, for example, is dedicated to this very special field of electromagnetic radiation.  

The patent-pending VHOLA technology enables predictive maintenance of vehicle performance by permanently measuring magnetic and electromagnetic emissions throughout the life of a vehicle.  From the permanent measurement, an algorithm is derived that leads to corrective actions for an emitting ECU, thereby also minimizing passenger exposure to high magnetic field levels. VHOLA’s solution provides continuous magnetic field feedback and shares all measurements and corrective actions with the car manufacturer via the telecommunication unit to enable continuous improvement and regulation.

Overview of other core EcoMotion Week topics

Many other core topics were discussed at the EcoMotion Week. These included automotive disruption and the Israeli smart mobility ecosystem. The question of how the transformation of public transport to Mobility as a Service (MaaS) could succeed was raised many times. Very closely related to this is the search for the shape of micromobility in the city. 

The Corona pandemic with its effects literally forced the topic of the sustainability of automotive supply chains onto EcoMotion, with the question arising in this context of how logistics in all its aspects is to be generally redefined in the future. Smart Logistics is becoming a decisive factor for success. The exchange of ideas on the further spread of electromobility also took up a great deal of space, with particular discussion of global approaches to solutions for the necessary EV infrastructure, without the spread of which there is a threat of stagnation. In order to be able to master the challenges arising from the range of topics presented, enormous investments in mobility will also be necessary in 2021, whereby the safety of the interacting systems is of very central importance. Just one example is antiviral technology, which is the basis of all safe mobility already in the present and even more so in the future. And, of course, there is the question of the future interaction of cloud and edge computing, the answer to which is also important for the needs of autonomous driving cars of levels 4 and 5.

After a morning rich in presentations, there was room for B2B conversations on the Main Stage, and the Live Expo Morning Session opened on the Startup Stage. On the Open Stage, all community members of the fair had the opportunity to present themselves to the other fair participants with a 20-second video. At the Meet & Greet session, a limited number of virtual rooms were available for people to connect and discuss current topics as well as make new contacts and initiate collaborations. 

Virtual booths and live demos 

At the virtual booths, everyone could get up-to-date information about the startups, watch live demos as well as participate in interactive sessions at certain times. Via the internal B2B Area, all participants had the opportunity to network with each other, set meetings and chat live. We at magility also made intensive use of these opportunities and got to know many new technologies and high-tech startups, which we will be happy to report on in the next article. 

The EcoMotion Week is and remains one of the most important virtual trade fairs for getting to know the latest innovations of startups and the players behind them, picking up fresh impulses and integrating them into new business models, so that we can continue to act on the pulse of smart mobility in the future. Please feel free to contact us about this.

Automated Lane Keeping Systems – New UN-Regulation

Automated Lane Keeping Systems – New UN-Regulation

The standards in the automotive industry will be further expanded. In addition to the UN regulations on Automotive Cyber Security Management Systems and Software Updates, which we explained in our article on UNECE WP.29, there are now strict requirements for the use of Automated Lane Keeping Systems, so-called ALKS for passenger cars.

This Regulation No. 157, adopted by the UNECE’s World Forum for Harmonisation of Vehicle Regulations, is the first binding international regulation for so-called “Level 3 vehicle automation”. The World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations (WP.29), operated by the UNECE, is the intergovernmental platform that defines the technical requirements to be followed by the automotive industry worldwide.

Safe introduction of automated vehicles

ALKS, once activated, take primary control of the vehicle and control the lateral and longitudinal movement of the vehicle. However, the driver is able to intervene and take back control of the vehicle at any time. The driver can also be requested to intervene by the ALKS system itself.  

The new Regulation 157 is based on the UNECE framework and focuses on the safety of automated and autonomous vehicles. It takes a sophisticated systems approach that contributes to road safety by the use of advanced technologies, including the reduction of accidents. The aim of the regulation is to enable the safe introduction and operation of automated vehicles in different traffic environments. It is intended to contribute to a wider use of automated vehicles.

New requirements for the approval of Automated Lane Keeping Systems

The new regulation in its current form still limits the operating speed of ALKS to 60km/h. Under certain conditions, ALKS can be activated in road traffic, namely when cyclists and pedestrians are not allowed on these roads and oncoming traffic is separated by a physical barrier and thus cannot cross the lane.

[infobox headline=”The most important in brief”]

UN Regulation 157 includes administrative provisions for type approval, audit and reporting requirements, technical requirements and provisions for type approval and testing. The application for approval of a vehicle type with regard to the ALKS shall be submitted by the vehicle manufacturer or his authorised representative. 

[/infobox] 

UN-Regulation 157 and Human-Machine Interfaces

Regulation 157 also includes provisions relating to the Human-Machine Interface (“HMI”) in order to avoid misuse or misunderstanding by the driver. The regulation states, for example, that in the event of an overload message issued by the ALKS, all other displays of the vehicle offered to the driver for activities other than driving the vehicle are automatically suspended. This may be the case, for example, shortly before the end of a road section authorised for ALKS.

The process of handing over the driving task from the ALKS to the driver is also specified in the new regulation. For example, one requirement of this specifies that the vehicle must come to a stop if the driver does not respond to the ALKS handover request in accordance with the requirements. This means that the system must be able to check driver presence and assess driver availability. To this end, the regulations set out clear criteria that an ALKS must fulfil.  

These include regulations and criteria to be met:

  • for the sensor system
  • for the driving mode memory
  • of data elements to be recorded
  • for data availability in compliance with the respective applicable national and regional legal provisions
  • for protection against manipulation
  • for cyber security and software updates    

In summary, the regulation defines safety requirements for:

  • Emergency manoeuvres in the event of an imminent collision
  • Transition demand, i.e. when the system requests the driver to take back control
  • Minimal risk manoeuvres when the driver does not respond to a transition demand (in all situations the system must minimise the risks to the safety of the vehicle occupants and other road users)
  • Mandatory introduction of driver presence detection systems for car manufacturers. These systems check both the presence of the driver (in the driver’s seat with the seat belt fastened) and the availability of the driver to take back control.

Obligation to equip the vehicle with a “black box”, the so-called Data Storage System for Automated Driving (DSSAD), which records when ALKS is activated.

Car manufacturers will therefore have to fulfill clear performance-related requirements from now on before their Automated Lane Keeping System-equipped vehicles can be sold in the countries that stipulate the regulation.

The detailed specifications, activation criteria for an Automated Lane Keeping System and all other requirements of “UN Regulation No. 157 – Automated Lane Keeping Systems (ALKS)” can be viewed on the UNECE website. An internationally agreed German translation is not yet available. 

Recently, one of our start-up partners, Cognata Ltd. from Israel, which develops full product life cycle simulations for developers of ADAS and autonomous vehicles, collaborated with Five, a company that develops autonomous vehicle systems. Together, the two companies are working to provide a modular, cloud-based, end-to-end development and testing platform for automatic lane keeping systems ALKS that complies with the new UNECE Standard 157. 

The market is accelerating and for car manufacturers it shows once again that the convergence of the industries is continuing.