With the changing dynamics of the mobility sector, auto shows globally have also evolved over the years. From products to technology showcase – the transition has been rapid.
One of the world’s largest motor show – the Frankfurt Motor Show – has also changed, and is called IAA Mobility with a focus on green automotive technology and networking different modes of transportation. The show can be held anywhere in Germany; this time it is being held from September 5-10 in Munich.
The organisers have said IAA Mobility will be more international than ever, with record number of new companies participating, and over 500 international visionaries discussing the future of mobility. The number of presenters from abroad has increased by 17%, from 33% in 2021 to 50% this year.
China, the USA, Austria, South Korea, and France will be the most heavily represented countries aside from Germany. In fact, 41% of presenters will be from Asia – the highest. The number of Chinese companies coming to IAA MOBILITY 2023 has more than doubled. At the same time, the number of companies making their debut at IAA MOBILITY has never been higher.
Continental’s Showcase
Continental has announced that its presentation at the IAA Mobility 2023 would focus on software-based and sustainable transportation. The Smart Cockpit HPC, a preconfigured system that incorporates the instrument cluster, infotainment system, and advanced driver assistance technologies, is the centrepiece of the company's wide high-performance computing (HPC) range.
The new solution is based on Continental Automotive Edge (CAEdge), a hardware and software development platform, and is a virtual Electronic Control Unit (vECU) Creator. Software applications can be 90% programmed before deployment on target hardware using vECUs, boosting their efficiency.
Continental will also demonstrate a compact, easy-to-integrate system solution for dynamic near-field projections using micro-LED technology. This system will be able to detect when a vehicle is changing direction, for example, by projecting dynamic warnings or vehicle measurements in the vehicle’s near vicinity using micro-LEDs.
Further showcasing its future brake systems, a semi-dry brake system is expected to garner much interest at the show. This brake setup utilises “dry” electromechanical brakes on the rear axle that do not require brake fluid. The benefit is that there is no need to fill and bleed the brake system during production, reducing the amount of hazardous old brake fluid that must be disposed of after every change by many millions of litres.
Yet another highlight will be the UltraContact NXT range of tyres, which will use 65% renewable, recycled and mass balance-certified materials. With the production already underway, these tyres have the highest possible rating (“A”) of the EU tyre label in the categories of rolling resistance, wet braking and exterior noise.
Continental will also provide a sneak peek into the interior space of autonomous mobility with its SPACE D design concept and surface materials Benova Eco Protect. The “D” in the name “SPACE D” stands for the high design standards of this visionary concept.
Bosch To Focus On Safety, Sustainability
Bosch too will be presenting its latest solutions for safe and sustainable mobility at IAA Mobility 2023, including hardware, software, and new services for the mobility sector. The largest supplier in the world will showcase its vehicle integration platform, which it says is an enabler of software-defined vehicles with centralised and zonal E/E architectures. The idea is to move the vehicle’s application software into central vehicle computers.
As a result, the vehicle integration platform allows for functional integration across all domains, including body, motion, and comfort. Over-the-air upgrades keep car software up to date. The ADAS integration platform is a vehicle computer from Bosch that specialises in advanced driver assistance systems.
At SAE Levels 0 to 4, this computer may provide aided and automated driving capabilities as well as parking. The platform's modular and scalable architecture allows it to be adjusted to the individual needs of each manufacturer, such as the flexible integration of third-party software.
The cockpit integration platform integrates the computing activities of the infotainment and instrumentation domains onto a single computer. Depending on the performance and functional safety requirements, additional functions from other domains, such as climate control, connectivity, driver assistance functions, and camera-based applications such as driver and occupant monitoring, surround view, and dashcam recording, can be integrated into the computer.
The motion integration platform focuses on safety-related application software for the powertrain, chassis, and steering. To complement this portfolio, Bosch offers its zone ECUs, which act as a link between vehicle computers and distributed ECUs, sensors, and actuators.
Bosch will also be showcasing its driving assist. By putting together their desired package of functions from a modular system of longitudinal and lateral guidance, automatic lane change, and emergency braking, vehicle manufacturers can implement SAE Level 2 automated driving functions. The most advanced variant, Bosch Driving Assist Premium, uses a 360-degree camera belt to expand the application of automated driving functions from the freeway to urban and rural traffic situations.
Special Middleware By ETAS
On the software side, Bosch’s subsidiary ETAS is launching a special middleware as a link between the operating system and individual software applications in the vehicle. This solution allows software functions for driver assistance and automated driving to be continuously improved.
It enables instant communication between software applications at a bandwidth of more than 10 GBPS without compromising security. Deterministic behaviour allows many development steps to be performed virtually with recorded real data. Reproducible simulation-based validation makes it possible to reduce the number of costly test-drive kilometres in real traffic conditions.
Also on showcase will be the connected vehicle energy management system. It brings together an electric vehicle’s thermal management, powertrain, and electrical system. This ensures the optimum distribution of energy at the vehicle level, thereby reducing energy consumption and increasing comfort. It also paves the way for new functions such as safe home mode. This assists the vehicle in reaching its destination with the remaining battery charge by reducing the power consumption of comfort items such as heating and climate control as necessary.
Startups In The Limelight
In addition to the world’s largest mobility and tech companies, 100 international startups will also be presenting their ideas for digital and climate-friendly mobility at IAA Mobility 2023. Compared to IAA Mobility 2021, there will be 33% more startups this year.
“These start-ups increasingly want to present their products and solutions at the event, not just digital concepts,” said Jan Heckmann, Head – IAA, VDA.
These startups will come from Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, India, Israel, the Netherlands, Romania, Scotland, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the USA. Artificial intelligence (AI), digital solutions, charging infrastructure, autonomous driving (AD) solutions, recycling, and circular economy will be very highly represented.
In view of this, IAA will be continuing with ‘Mobilitython’, which along with a partnership with the prototype.club commenced during IAA Mobility 2021. This year, TÜV NORD and Robert Bosch GmbH will have assignments for these ambitious start-ups: they would present questions and would want answers from these startups that they can to implement.
This will give the participating teams more exposure and allow them to network further. The team that wins the follow-up order will be named on site. Follow-up orders are usually worth between €50-150 thousand.
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