Tradeshows, exhibitions, and conventions have been the lifeblood of our industry for many decades. They offered an opportunity to meet customers and learn about new products, an opportunity that was impossible to replicate before the birth of the internet. While digital media have eroded their unique position in the industry somewhat, they still provided a face-to-face forum in which to share information that was valuable to suppliers and customers alike. The last 24 months have a difficult … [Read more...]

There is a new acronym that is being used in the world of automotive design, and that is C-V2X. In conversation, this is referred to as vehicle-to-X, or sometimes vehicle to everything. The leading “C” stands for cellular. These phrases are used to describe the latest vehicle-based electronics that is taking advantage of the cellular communications network. In particular, the 5G network that is being rolled out is allowing vehicles to communicate with other road users – the “X” or … [Read more...]

Vision systems are playing a key role in the future of automotive design. Understanding and reacting to the hazards found on our roads has historically been a burden that belongs to the driver, but modern vehicles are playing a greater role than ever in keeping us safe. Vision systems, whether visible light cameras or advanced detection systems such as LIDAR (light detecting and ranging) and proximity sensors are tools that can be employed to improve our situational awareness. The first … [Read more...]

There can be little doubt that electric vehicles have brought the greatest change in the automotive industry for more than a generation. The idea of electric vehicles is not new, but our understanding of the dangers presented by fossil fuels has brought electric vehicles into the headlines over recent years. The concern for our impact on the environment is leading manufacturers and governments worldwide to make commitments. We are being encouraged to reduce and eventually eliminate our need … [Read more...]

The roles played by in-car control and display systems have evolved enormously over the last few years. Where once entertainment and vehicle controls were separate, the modern car integrates a huge range of functions into a unified interface. The amount of data this requires places key demands on the connectors used for infotainment systems. The original infotainment displays used in cars merged traditional controls with the latest entertainment systems. They have now evolved far beyond … [Read more...]

In the world of education, STEM is an acronym that stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.  It is a shorthand that describes the importance that these subjects have gained for our young people. There used to be a time when these subjects were just for geeks.  When home computers and video games were new, they were only the enthusiasts and often dismissed by the mainstream.  The subjects taught in school did not cover these topics, for understandable … [Read more...]