Automotive

Mobility is becoming increasingly individual and diverse. It is no longer only about getting quickly, easily and safely from one place to another, but also about being able to use a variety of information and communication facilities at the same time.

Apps, cloud services and the Internet of Things “on the road” – the connected car satisfies these mobility requirements. The seamless integration of mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets makes a variety of telematics and infotainment applications possible – whether in your own vehicle or one belonging to a car sharing club.

Intelligent driver assistance systems and progress in the area of autonomous driving will revolutionise the automotive market. With respect to environmental aspects, alternative drive and communication technologies which are networked with modern traffic concepts (Smart City) and public infrastructures (e.g. traffic light systems, charging stations) are increasingly gaining in significance.

These developments have two important things in common: the focus of the automotive sector shifted from hardware to software a long time ago, and the scope and complexity of this software is continuously rising. In addition, the boundaries separating the automotive sector from other sectors such as telecommunications, consumer electronics and the public sector are becoming more and more fluid.

New players are entering the field and it remains to be seen who will achieve the monetisation of innovative concepts in the future. One thing is certain: Software expertise will play a key role in creating cross-sector innovations and bringing high-quality series production solutions to the market.

From an auxiliary heating which can be programmed by an app, over gamification for the promotion of a CO2-efficient driving style, to pay-as-you-drive insurances: the opportunities for motor vehicle manufacturers on their way from manufacturing specialists to mobility service providers are immense.

An optimum use of resources and a short time-to-market are critical success factors for innovative mobility, infotainment and communication concepts. Specialist and cross-sector know-how, as well as streamlined, flexible processes are indispensable for reducing development cycles and securing competitive advantages for the long term.