innovation
Ford’ s view of the next wave of automotive electronics innovation
By: Ed Richardson
State-of-the-art sensing, computing and communications systems that are rapidly changing consumer lives and expectations are also driving innovation in the auto industry at a breakneck speed.
Original equipment manufacturers( OEMs) now focus as much on data speeds as horsepower in their vehicles.“ Technology is enabling Ford to bring a new level of awareness and intelligence that will dramatically enhance our customers’ time behind the wheel,” says Paul Mascarenas, vice president and chief technical officer( CTO) of Ford.
More sensors that assist drivers with increased awareness; sensor fusion, machine learning, and big data are among the predictions for the next wave of Ford research and development in the field of automotive electronics.“ Ford was founded on the innovative spirit of Henry Ford, and the opportunity today to reinvent the driving experience excites us just as it probably would have him,” says Mascarenas.
Paul Mascarenas, Chief Technical Officer & Vice-President Research &
Advanced Engineering at Ford.
As CTO, Mascarenas has been leading the team researching and developing new technologies for Ford vehicles, particularly in the area of driver assistance and mobile device connectivity.“ The new Fusion sedan demonstrates how we’ re making the car smarter using attainable and affordable technology and thus helping create a better driver. Fusion features an unprecedented level of sensors for its driver assist technologies, machine learning techniques to deliver more electric-only driving on the hybrids, and innovative graphical interfaces to help coach drivers to be as fuel efficient as possible.”
With more than 145 actuators, 4716 signals, and 74 sensors including radar, sonar, cameras, accelerometers, temperature and even rain sensors, the 2013 Fusion can monitor the perimeter around the car and see into places that are not readily visible from the driver’ s seat. These sensors produce more than 25 gigabytes of data per hour which is analyzed by more than 70 on-board computers. The actuators combined with signal information from the driver assist sensors can alert the driver to potential dangers, and actively assist with parking and lane keeping.
“ So far we’ ve just scratched the surface of what is possible,” says Mascarenas.“ In the Fusion, we have sensors and actuators that act independently as part of the assist features. The next phase, currently in research, involves sensor fusion, where engineers learn how to more comprehensively characterize the environment by blending multiple signals, and add externally available information through cloud connectivity.” According to Mascarenas’ predictions, top areas for car technology innovation in the coming years include:“ Big data” analysis and intelligent decision making:
Ford is researching the use of realtime sensor data- radar and camerabased- that can help evaluate external factors affecting driver attention, such as traffic congestion, and thus limit potential distractions such as an incoming phone call. Upgradeable, customizable hardware Ford’ s OpenXC research platform looks at the potential for open-source, community-driven innovation of plug-and-play hardware modules that provide infinite opportunities for rapid customization. Seamless integration across cloud ecosystems
The success of Ford SYNCR has been linked to its open, agnostic platform strategy that has allowed for adoption and compatibility with the burgeoning mobile ecosystem. The next step is to do the same for the consumer shift toward cloud-based services. Advanced machine learning
The new Fusion and C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrids utilize EV +, a feature that learns the typical locations of charging, such as
18 to read full version of AI stories go to www. ai-online. com