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Automotive electronics control unit market to grow to $95 billion by 2024, says report

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The automotive electronics control unit market is forecast to grow to $95 billion by 2024, according to a report by GM Insights. 

The market has already witnessed “incredible growth over the last two decades”, says GM Insights, owing to “unparalleled expansion of the global automobile production sector and the influx of technology within vehicles”.

Continuously evolving knowledge and skills have enabled the integration of advanced electronic elements within automobiles such as fuel injection control and exclusive infotainment systems.  [Read more…] about Automotive electronics control unit market to grow to $95 billion by 2024, says report

Udelv unveils new autonomous delivery van and agrees ‘major contracts’ with Walmart, Baidu and others

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Udelv has unveiled the latest version of its autonomous delivery van at the ongoing Consumer Electronics Show.

The company also announced what it described as “major contracts” with US supermarket giant Walmart and Baidu, which is like the Google of China.

Udelv’s autonomous delivery van says the latest model of its self-driving delivery vans feature “new state-of-the-art technology”.  [Read more…] about Udelv unveils new autonomous delivery van and agrees ‘major contracts’ with Walmart, Baidu and others

Valeo demonstrates autonomous driving technologies at CES

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Valeo, one of the largest suppliers of automotive technologies, is showcasing its autonomous vehicle advancements at this year‘s CES.

The French company says it already supplies “the automotive industry’s largest range of sensors”, comprising ultrasonic sensors, cameras, radars and LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) systems.

These devices act as the vehicle’s eyes and ears. At CES 2019, Valeo will be unveiling the full scope of its expertise in autonomy and connectivity.

Valeo says innovation is at the heart of its strategy. The company invested €1.9 billion in research and development in 2017, or close to 12 percent of original equipment sales.

valeo autonomous car parking

Valeo says its innovative technologies offer “clear insights into the shape of mobility to come” and are all conducive to the development of electric, autonomous, connected cars that are widely accessible yet adapted to individual needs.

Three of Valeo’s “major innovations” will be on display at CES:

  1. Valeo Drive4U, the autonomous vehicle which will be navigating the streets of Las Vegas fitted solely with series-produced sensors;
  2. Valeo Drive4U Remote, which is used to remotely control autonomous vehicles strictly when needed for safety reasons; and
  3. Valeo Voyage XR, which is able to simulate the virtual presence of a person – based in a fixed location – on board the autonomous vehicle during the journey.

Valeo has conducted a number of “world-first” autonomous driving trial runs, including 24 hours around the Paris beltway and road trips around Europe and the US.

The company says autonomous driving in dense and complex urban environments is “a major technological challenge that Valeo is tackling head-on”.

The Group took to the streets of Paris for a first trial run in autumn 2018 and, later this year, its autonomous car will operate in the streets of Las Vegas.

BMW to showcase ‘Vision iNext’ at CES

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At this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, the BMW Group is showcasing the future of driving pleasure with visitors having their first chance to take a virtual drive in the BMW Vision iNEXT, accompanied by the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant.

The vision vehicle is being displayed alongside a sophisticated mixed-reality installation that, for the first time, provides a virtual and immersive impression of what it is like to drive autonomously, emission-free, and fully connected in the BMW Vision iNEXT.

To begin the simulation, the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant suggests an agenda for the day and plans the activities for the trip.

[Read more…] about BMW to showcase ‘Vision iNext’ at CES

Continental highlights innovations for smarter and safer cities at CES 2019

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At CES 2019, Continental is demonstrating its solutions and key technologies for future cities around the theme ‘Mobility at your service. Freedom to Live’.

“Intelligent mobility is an essential pillar of the smart city. The number of connected devices exceeds the world’s population today, facilitating real-time exchange of information between vehicles, infrastructure and people,” said Helmut Matschi, member of the Continental Executive Board and head of the Interior Division.

“At CES 2019, Continental will demonstrate solutions that foster mobility intelligence, ease traffic congestion and reduce accidents and pollution, addressing the most critical challenges of urban mobility,” he added.

[Read more…] about Continental highlights innovations for smarter and safer cities at CES 2019

Mercedes-Benz uses 3D printing for ‘classic’ replacement parts

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Mercedes-Benz has been offering 3D printed replacement commercial vehicle parts since 2016, now further replacement parts have passed quality assurance and are coming onto the market.

The inside mirror base for the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Coupé (W 198 model series), the spark plug holder from the tool kit of this iconic sports car as well as the sliding sunroof rollers for the W 110, W 111, W 112 and W 123 model series: these are important replacement parts for faithfully maintaining this classic of the brand.

Mercedes-Benz Classic has them newly produced in a 3D print. The process is particularly well-suited to smaller quantities, which allows gaps in the replacement part supply of classic vehicles to be closed.

[Read more…] about Mercedes-Benz uses 3D printing for ‘classic’ replacement parts

Global automotive study ‘outlines importance of car in changing world of mobility’

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Arthur D. Little has released its worldwide automotive market report. Key findings are that the desire for car ownership remains strong, especially amongst the young, and that drivers are considering a dramatic switch to electric and hybrid vehicles.

This will impact manufacturer and supplier engine strategies and push for faster development of EV ecosystems, such as charging solutions, says ADL.

Drivers are now much more willing to embrace alternative drivetrains. 58 percent would accept paying more for hybrids, and 50 percent for EVs.  [Read more…] about Global automotive study ‘outlines importance of car in changing world of mobility’

First cellular vehicle-to-infrastructure trial in Japan

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Continental has announced the completion of a joint Cellular vehicle-to-infrastructure trial in Japan, together with Ericsson, Nissan, NTT DOCOMO, OKI and Qualcomm Technologies.

The companies have successfully conducted Japan’s first C-V2X testing in the country using 5.8 GHz as the experimental radio frequency for direct communication.

The use cases were designed to address various aspects of V2X communication, such as Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V), Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2I) and Vehicle-to-Pedestrians (V2P) direct communications, as well as Vehicle-to-Network (V2N) operations.

[Read more…] about First cellular vehicle-to-infrastructure trial in Japan

Magna opens new mechatronics engineering centre in China

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Magna was joined by customers and local government officials at a ceremony to announce the opening of a new mechatronics engineering centre in Suzhou in the Jiangsu Province, China.

Automakers around the world are looking to mechatronics as an opportunity to improve getting in and out of vehicles both today and in the future.

Mechatronics products, such as power doors and liftgates, work through a combination of mechanical systems, electronic control units and embedded software to offer consumers unique vehicle access experiences.

[Read more…] about Magna opens new mechatronics engineering centre in China

ZF invests €800 million in Saarbrücken plant in Germany

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Over the next four years, ZF will invest €800 million in its Saarbrücken site in Germany, the lead location of ZF’s transmission technology, in production plants and systems, infrastructure, and its supplier network for the transition from conventional to electric car drives.

“The share of hybrid drives in production will increase tenfold over the next few years – from five to 50 percent,” said Wolf-Henning Scheider, CEO of ZF Friedrichshafen AG.

ZF is investing more than €3 billion worldwide in new products and its production network for transmission technology.
[Read more…] about ZF invests €800 million in Saarbrücken plant in Germany