EBV Elektronik is Europe’s largest distributor of semiconductors and supplies all the electronics components that are necessary for developing autonomous vehicles. But its abilities go far beyond that, according to Frank-Steffen Russ, Vertical Segment Manager Automotive Europe at EBV. Through its network of partners, it has what it takes to cut down on development times and launch products on the market more quickly. At the same time, the experience that EBV’s experts are gaining in other applications is providing inspiration for new autonomous vehicle solutions.
The Quintessence: Hand on heart, would you travel in the kind of autonomous vehicle that exists today?
Frank-Steffen Russ: I would, and I’ve actually done it! Admittedly, it was a test vehicle at autonomy level 3 or 4, so it was some way off being a genuine robotic vehicle. But it’s important that we recognise the limitations of the technology these vehicles are using – they may be referred to as autonomous, but many of them are still undergoing trials and need more interaction with drivers in hazardous situations, for example. As users, we need to be aware of that fact.
Where do autonomous vehicles fit into EBV?
F.-S. R.: Autonomous systems are important parts of our Industrial, High-Rel and Automotive segments. Autonomous driving, flying and working all involve a range of disciplines, requiring a certain amount of thinking outside the box – and that’s exactly what EBV can deliver. We operate in all kinds of different applications: actuators, environment sensors, sensor fusion and connectivity, as well as cross-discipline areas such as on-board electrical system structures, security, and data management. That enables us to contribute our skills in significant ways across different segments. To take a few examples, our RF & Wireless segment provides products that support radar technologies for environment sensors, we create LightSpeed solutions for lidar applications, and we deliver high-end, camera-based technologies and solutions for sensor fusion as well as artificial intelligence. In the field of connectivity, our RF & Wireless and Security & Identification technology segments allow us to cover two major areas in vehicle networking. Together with the industry-specific expertise we have gained from working in these various market segments, we have what it takes to play a significant role in the evolution of autonomous vehicles.
Where do semiconductors come into autonomous driving?
F.-S. R.: Today’s semiconductor technology is advanced enough to support the systems required for autonomous driving. These systems can be used to establish both wired and wireless versions of high-speed data networks – which in turn form the groundwork for networked vehicles. State-of-the-art data centres are proving a boon for transport infrastructure planning. Thanks to high-performance processors, it is possible to simulate and optimise even exceptionally complex traffic situations. Vehicles themselves are also benefiting from increasingly integrated computer technology – in particular, multi-core systems that are available at an affordable price and with the same standards of quality found in automotive applications. By using cutting-edge semiconductors, driver assistance systems are already playing a major role in reliably preventing accidents and critical traffic situations.
Specifically, what kind of electronics components does EBV provide for creating autonomous vehicles?
F.-S. R.: Put simply, we offer a combination of semiconductors and our expertise. Autonomous systems need to deliver functions that people can rely on. And that means using components which meet the very highest standards of durability, fault tolerance and reliability – from simple diodes to sensors and all the way through to complex multi-core µC systems.
What else can EBV offer in order to help companies make their visions of autonomous vehicles a reality?
F.-S. R.: The structure itself is the cornerstone of our sales concept. As well as an ability to advise on technology, it is becoming increasingly important to be an expert in systems so that you can actually bring complex structures like autonomous systems to life. In this area, we help companies identify who the right system partners for them might be. These partners are able to provide hardware, software, design support, production services and much more in order to bring a product idea to fruition. As well as this, we work in partnership with semiconductor manufacturers so that we can support our customers with the right tools and reference platforms. This allows our customers to benefit from significant reductions in their development times – or take advantage of the latest technology for their product concept in cases where they are moving into a different field.
Networking is a huge talking point in areas like wearables. Are there any technologies this field is using that you think could be adopted in autonomous vehicles too?
F.-S. R.: Absolutely. One example comes from my own experience with hearing aids. Hearables are already very advanced, but the fact that vehicles are becoming increasingly quiet – especially electric cars – is posing a real challenge for them. So why not incorporate hearables into V2X communication and have intelligent warnings from vehicles relayed directly into the ears of pedestrians?
Something else to consider is the fact that the environment sensors in autonomous vehicles collect huge amounts of data that could be used in other applications – like weather, to take a basic example. In this case, a vehicle could be a sensor for precipitation that is about to occur in the local area – and that information could then be used in agricultural applications or for planning sports events, for instance. Networked vehicles will not only receive data about traffic flow – they’ll also be able to pass data from their surrounding environments directly onto road users in the vicinity, or even onto the Internet via a Cloud server, allowing the information to be relayed to a whole host of users.
As networking and autonomy are gaining a higher profile, so too is cybersecurity. What does EBV offer in this area?
F.-S. R.: Our segmented strategy means we have the potential to deliver best practice in every area. We provide support for cybersecurity through our Security & Identification technology segment. This allows us to ensure that our customers are always kept informed about the latest developments in technology as well as methods that are being applied.
What about communications equipment? Smart buildings have given rise to technology such as Li-Fi, a kind of wireless network based on lighting. Can you envisage using applications like this too?
F.-S. R.: If a vehicle has a wireless network – such as a WLAN – then the surrounding area undoubtedly has a similar connection. Let’s take the example of Dedicated Short-Range Communications, or DSRC, a system that exchanges data in real time: Li-Fi could definitely offer an alternative to this. In fact, LED daytime running lights, headlights and rear lights could already be used for this purpose. That would enable communication with traffic lights or traffic management systems without wireless interference in the viewing range.
How do you think autonomous vehicles will change mobility as we know it?
F.-S. R.: Autonomous vehicles will be essential if we want to achieve the WHO and EU aims of creating a safer traffic environment by 2050. I also believe that the period between now and then is when we will see changes occur. In ten to 15 years’ time, I think technology is bound to have reached level 5 of autonomous driving. However, it will be another few years after that before the technology moves from its initial premium segment to a level at which it is available to all.
Autonomous agricultural machinery will allow us to minimise soil compaction by harnessing concepts such as swarm farming – and that will mean significant changes for crop cultivation.
Where transport is concerned, autonomous heavy goods vehicles could propel truckers’ job descriptions from simply driving to mobile shipping, dispatching and monitoring of freight. The driver’s seat will become a mobile office.
Both aviation and shipping are already benefiting from the ability to manage traffic volumes more easily. Autonomous processes have been introduced in these areas, but volumes are only going to increase – and as that happens, we will need to move even further in the direction of full automation.