With automotive electronics becoming a key application area where the global ICT and semiconductor industries are exerting efforts, DIGITIMES hosted the Next-generation Smart Car Innovations and Developments seminar during Semicon Taiwan 2024 with an aim to facilitate communication between Taiwan's chip industry and automotive electronics sector. The event gathered Taiwan-based IC design firms and their system suppliers that have performed brilliantly in telematics and cockpit systems for an exchange of their views on autonomous driving and cockpit solutions through a panel discussion. They also gave advice on foreign market expansion by sharing their real-world experiences.
Integrating various automotive AI technologies is key to Level 5 fully autonomous driving
In talking about the future development of autonomous driving, Alex Dee, General Manager, Future Innovative Department, First International Computer, noted that as self-driving vehicles advance into Level 5, meaning they are in a fully automated state, how to enhance passenger experience is something to think about, for example, how to make passengers more comfortable, refreshed and avoid feeling car sick. As Dee described it, the car is like the passengers' second home where they may be watching a movie or taking a nap. However, self-driving vehicles must integrate a multitude of AI technologies before they can achieve Level 5.
Dee emphasized that when a vehicle is in motion, its surroundings change in an instant. The process from an automotive camera captures an image and instantaneously sends it to the domain controller which then makes an analysis and decides whether to stop or turn the vehicle in a snap of a finger. More importantly, nothing can possibly go wrong during the process. Thus, Dee admittedly pointed out that automotive AI is indeed ahead of AI development in any other field.
In consonance with Dee, George Hsueh, Chairman and CEO of SteadyBeat, said the noise cancellation IC that SteadyBeat develops is also aimed at shaping the future riding experience. Hsueh noted that his company's noise cancellation technology helps eliminate the use of heavy automotive soundproofing materials, thereby enabling automakers to design lighter and more energy-efficient vehicles. Specifically, the technology neutralizes the frequency of outside noise. Sound travels at a high speed so the noise cancellation chip must be able to respond relatively quickly in order to reduce outside noise in real-time and allow passengers to enjoy music or video without headphones.
Hsueh added that air temperature and humidity affect the way sound travels. Through the collaborations with automakers, his team found that apart from acoustic sensors, vehicles need to include a variety of other sensors. The design requires comprehensive planning and even the integration of various algorithms. It is quite different from traditional noise reduction methods based on digital signal processing (DSP).
First meeting automaker requirements, then adding AI and supporting various service application scenarios
iCatch Technology and JET OPTO are upstream and downstream supply chain partners. Their representatives shared views on road safety and image recognition at the event. Commenting from the perspective of road safety, iCatch Technology director Chang-Long Lee said that the development of smart cars will need to consider safety both inside and outside the car. That is, the safety of drivers and passengers inside the car and the safety of pedestrians outside the car should both be ensured. Furthermore, with AI and big data analytics increasingly being adopted in automotive electronics, protecting the confidentiality of user information and cybersecurity become increasingly important. Taking display technologies for example, Lee also noted that mini LED and micro LED are being incorporated in vehicles as ambient lights to create a cozy atmosphere or warning lights to catch driver attention. These are already included in international automakers' basic requirements.
Glen Tsai, Director of Marketing, JET OPTO, spoke candidly that whether products can meet market demand is what really matters. Taking audio and video equipment upgrades as an example, he said after the pandemic lockdowns ended, airplane passengers care about how old the aircraft is and how fancy the onboard audio and video equipment is. The same applies to automobiles. Manufacturers should first think about how to satisfy such market demand before adding other services. Taking it a step further, manufacturers can combine sensor and cloud technologies to make predictions and thereby provide tailored experiences for drivers and passengers. This is the thing to think about when expanding into automotive AI.
Joining forces, iCatch Technology and JET OPTO secured an important order from a foreign customer
iCatch Technology and JET OPTO share the same objective, which is to meet the demand from foreign systems and component makers. Lee specifically said that with JET OPTO's good understanding and conveyance of customer needs, iCatch Technology was able to recalibrate its product. He described the process of their collaboration as "being whipped into shape." As a matter of fact, foreign customers have stringent requirements on suppliers. Their recent partner project was required to have no security loophole in the program code and no copyright issue. The back-and-forth communication and recalibration between the two partners and their customers allowed them to win an order of 300,000 units from Panasonic. Such a brilliant performance was the fruit of their long-term collaboration since 2017.
Amid rapid development in the global automotive electronics market, Taiwan-based manufacturers have shown the world their technological strength and ability to innovate. Leveraging all kinds of cutting-edge technologies, such as AI, image recognition, noise cancellation and cybersecurity management, they are securing a presence in the global automotive supply chain while continuing to strengthen their partnerships with international conglomerates.
The seminar conducted in the form of a panel discussion not only shed light on Taiwan-based manufacturers' enormous potential in the automotive electronics sector but also set a solid foundation for smart car development going forward. As the global market imposes growingly stringent requirements on products for automotive applications, manufacturers need to keep strengthening their R&D as well as innovative capabilities so as to stand out in the fiercely competitive market.
Panelists of the Next-generation Smart Car Innovations and Developments seminar from left to right: Alex Dee, General Manager, Future Innovative Department, First International Computer; George Hsueh, Chairman and CEO, SteadyBeat; Glen Tsai, Director of Marketing, JET OPTO; Chang-Long Lee, iCatch Technology Director; Ahsley Chu, show host, IC Broadcasting.