For the first time in history, the automotive industry is opening its doors. It is no longer limited to traditional OEMs but has now expanded to start-ups and technology companies that are pushing the boundaries of vehicle manufacturing. The vehicle is now being transformed from a product to a solution – a solution that provides the driver and passengers with utility for seamless travel. The introduction of user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) features such as music-on-demand, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, coupled with popular voice assistants using natural language processing (NLP), including Siri, Google, and Alexa, along with other technological solutions, have pushed consumer demand to new levels and created a symbiotic relationship between automakers and technology companies.

We are now seeing consumer demand move a step further as consumers look for highly automated or fully automated vehicles coupled with electric drivetrains. Every OEM is investing in electrification to move away from fossil fuels as consumers respond to high gasoline costs, city, regional and national fuel-type restrictions, and environmental concerns.

To provide safe and seamless travel, the reliance on sensors while driving is slowly being outsourced from the driver to the vehicle. A driver responds to multiple stimuli while driving and localizes themselves and their surroundings many times per second. To provide this level of cognizance safely and effectively to the vehicle, specific sensors must be introduced that can replicate and improve a driver’s decision-making process…

Ansys: Kai Zhou, Sandra Gely, Shailesh Ozarkar, BAIC: Xiyu Wang, Han Yu, Chen Yin, Cepton: Faithy Li, T R Ramachandran, Faurecia: Cyril Laury, Lunewave: Hao Xin, John Xin, Marelli: Francesco Miticocchio, NIO: Li Zhou, Hao Zhu, Nodar: Brad Rosen, Jiang Leaf, North American Lighting: Amit Mehta, Toyota Research Institute: Jack Endo, Group Contributors - Ansys: Arwel Davies, AVL Software & Functions GmbH: Armin Engstle, China FAW: Bo Chen, Denso: Pat Bassett, ESI Group: Serge Lavaerdure, Faurecia: Sebastien Meyer, Hamamatsu: Jake Li, IDIADA: Andres Aparacio, RoadDB: Russ Shields, Stellantis: Stephen Rober