Africa Automotive News September-October digital issue 2019

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Opinion How technology is impacting the automotive industry Manufacturers are seeking to make cars more efficient in two ways, driven largely by the requirement to reduce average fleet emissions to 95 grams of CO2 per kilometre for all new cars The automotive industry is one of the UK’s fastest-changing sectors, something that is all too evident when those who only trade in their cars or vans on an irregular basis finally decide to upgrade. Much of this is as a result of technology, whether that’s simply reflecting wider consumer trends or more fundamental changes that could affect the design and role of vehicles and even how we move around in the future. Legislation is a key driver, particularly the need to reduce carbon. “This means that the technological features revolve around new regulations and customer demand,” says Felipe Munoz, global automotive analyst at automotive business intelligence provider JATO Dynamics. “The turbochargers developed by some premium brands are a good example: they used to be the primary way to boost speed and acceleration. Now their focus is to improve driver experience and efficiency.” The efficiency quotient Manufacturers are seeking to make cars more efficient in two ways, driven largely by the requirement to reduce average fleet emissions to 95 grams of CO2 per kilometre for all new cars. One is to reduce fuel used; something that has been a focus for the Institute for Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering (IAME), a partnership between the University of Coventry and Unipart Manufacturing Group. “One project is with Ford, where we have helped them develop the technology for increased pressure in gasoline direct injections to reduce fuel consumption,” says Dr Carl Perrin, director of IAME. The second trend is around reducing the overall weight of the vehicle. Some of this is achieved through the use of different materials – the American Chemistry Council estimates the proportion of steel has fallen from 43% to 35% of total weight since 1998, while aluminium has risen from 6% to 10% – but also from reducing the weight of particular components and parts. IAME has been involved in a number of projects, says Perrin, including on the Aston Martin Vanquish. “We looked at where all the mass is in the exhaust and challenged everything from the thickness of the tubing to the heat shields and the joining methodology,” he says. “We were funded through an Innovate UK project 18 Africa Automotive News l 2019 September-October issue l 2019
to target a 50% reduction in the weight of the exhaust. It’s about 13kg, from a total mass of 26kg. We did that through using different materials, downgrading other materials and then developing all the joining and forming technologies needed to go with that.” The system is currently at the prototype stage but Perrin hopes it will move into production later in the year. Another project has been with Jaguar Land Rover, where the focus has been to reduce the weight of the muffler box on exhaust systems by using acoustic technology rather than physical components to eliminate noise. “It means we can deactivate some of the cylinders so we’re burning less fuel, but we can still make it sound like a V6 or V8,” he says. Connecting the dots Another big area for the sector has been the development of internet-enabled or “connected” vehicles. Research by JATO Dynamics suggests 18% of vehicles registered in the UK in 2015 had some form of internet connection, and this figure will undoubtedly rise in the future. In the car, this is giving rise to a number of new developments designed to give owners or users more control. “Apps for connected cars, along with the telematic box – an in-car SIM – will enable users to manage their car remotely, so to check gas levels, lock the door, check driving performance, receive theft notifications, and control other elements such as starting up the engine or putting the alarm on,” says Munoz. “The ultimate aim is to do all of this via a smartwatch.” The technology also opens up possibilities around vehicles communicating with each other or with broader infrastructure. Examples here include intelligent transport systems which could alert drivers to traffic conditions, tolls and optimum routes, as well as driver assistance systems to control speed, stability and even emergency braking if required. Proportion of steel has fallen from 43% to 35% of total weight since 1998 Nick Reed is academy director at The Transport Research Laboratory, which has recently been working on a European project called COBRA, looking at the benefits and concerns around such systems. He foresees a future where car journeys become more personalised – with apps advising drivers to park some distance away from their destination to reach a step target for the day – as well as vehicles providing information and assistance around parking and warning drivers when services or repairs are needed. But he also has concerns. “Drivers and passengers will be able to experience smoother, faster and more coherent access to smartphone functionality such as calls, email, social media and multimedia applications, but it is critical to recognise the potential for driver distraction,” he says. “With more devices to catch their attention, drivers may miss critical information as they are engaged in other activities or browsing through menus.” There are also fears around security, warns Simon Viney, director of cyber resilience with Stroz Friedberg. “This offers the opportunity for cyber- attackers to steal valuable data, goods or vehicles, or disrupt the operation of ‘connected’ cars,” he says. He gives the example of the Jeep case, which forced Fiat Chrysler to recall several million vehicles in 2015 after hackers managed to gain control of a vehicle. “In addition, some 6,000 cars were reportedly stolen in London in 2014, after hackers identified a way to readily bypass a keyless entry system used by several manufacturers,” he adds. “Attacks such as these only become more sophisticated and easier to conduct once an attack is successful.” It’s a concern shared by Mark Taylor, technical manager, technical innovation at ICAEW’s IT Faculty. “You tend to find on engineering projects that people get very excited and think about great things, and then they think about security after,” he says. “It’s important to think about security when you’re starting to build the system; it will only get worse unless car manufacturers think more about this in the process.” Privacy of customer data is also a concern if vehicles communicate with call centres, he adds. Electric avenue Opinion Electric vehicle technology is – finally – starting to make a real impact, as concerns over driving range and charging infrastructure start to subside. According to The Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders, some 2,400 electric vehicles a month were registered in 2015, compared to just 500 the year before. Today, there are more than 75,000 electric vehicles in the UK. “I believe that this growth will continue and result in 85% of all new car sales being electric by 2035,” says Erik Fairbairn, founder of POD Point. “What’s really driving the growth is a recognition of their superiority over vehicles with internal combustion engines. Put simply, electric cars are easier to drive, quieter on the road, require less maintenance, cost less to run and are altogether more fun than their petrol counterparts.” Nick Reed forsees a future where car journeys become more personalised, with apps advising drivers, as well as vehicles warning when repairs are needed Part of this is also due to the emergence of manufacturer Tesla, which is pushing a combination of new models and investments in battery technology, and is currently seeking to acquire SolarCity as it attempts to tie in renewable technology with electric charging capabilities in the home. The new Models S and X have a range of over 300 miles, helping to make electric vehicles a more viable option for those looking to do more than local trips or city driving. But electric vehicles or hybrids are not necessarily the only option in moving away from petrol or diesel. “In the future there will be a range of fuel types dependent on actual transport needs, from pure electric vehicles to gaseous-powered vehicles, including hydrogen,” says Chris Chandler, principal consultant at Lex Autolease. production and distribution of hydrogen that many people do not fully appreciate. Continue Reading Online. Scan Below..... September-October issue l 2019 Africa Automotive News l 2019 19
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Africa Automotive News September-October digital issue 2019

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