Description

This issue of Automotive and Transportation TOE covers recent developments in self-driven vehicles, vehicle monitoring and safety system. Innovations profiled include a LiDAR sensor by Luminar Technologies that can detect distant obstacles, application of artificial intelligence to make autonomous cars safer by AImotive Kft., a mobile app to track vehicle performance by Zubie, an advanced road safety system for hilly areas by Leo Burnett, a self-powered deceleration indicating lamp by Mechoptix Inc., a secure vehicle-to-everything solution for autonomous driving by Auto-Talks Ltd., a scalable digital cockpit platform for automobiles by HARMAN International, and an IoT platform suitable for connected cars by Nokia Oyj.

The purpose of the Automotive and Transportation (A&T) Technology Opportunity Engine (TOE) is to raise awareness of global technology innovations in self-propelled ground-based mobile platforms that are not only technically significant, but potentially offering commercial value. Each monthly A&T TOE provides subscribers valuable descriptions and analyses of 8 noteworthy innovations, written by a qualified TechVision automotive engineer affiliated with SAE International (the Society of Automotive Engineers). The main focus is on highway-licensed motor vehicles (light, medium and heavy). Passenger cars, trucks, buses, motorcycles, scooters and railway locomotives are within the product scope, energized by any fuel. Many of the innovations concern powertrains (internal combustion engines, turbines, battery electrics, fuel cell electrics, hybrid-electrics), as well as drivetrains (including transmissions), interiors--seating and displays, advanced materials--as for body/chassis, wireless connectivity, and self-driving technology that is currently receiving so much attention. The A&T TOE outlines and evaluates each innovation, notes which organizations and developers are involved, projects the likely timing for commercialization, furnishes a patent analysis, and provides valuable strategic insights for industry stakeholders.

The Advanced Manufacturing and Automation (AMA) Cluster covers technologies that enable clean, lean and flexible manufacturing and industrial automation. Technologies such as three-dimensional (3D) and four-dimensional (4D) printing, wireless sensors and networks, information and communication technology, multimaterial joining, composites manufacturing, digital manufacturing, micro- and nano-manufacturing, lasers, advanced software, and printing techniques, are covered as part of this cluster. The technologies covered here impact a wide range of industries, such as the impact semiconductor, automotive and transportation, aerospace and defense, industrial, healthcare, logistics, and electronics industries.

Keywords: LiDAR, autonomous driving, vehicle performance monitoring, road safety systems, vehicle-to-everything, V2X, V2V, connected cars, IoT