The future of automotive technology was on display at the 66th IAA Frankfurt Motor Show from September 17-27, 2015. According to the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA), the IAA exhibition unveiled 210 world premier cars this year; which was an increase in unveilings from last year and a response to increasing demand for vehicles in North America and Europe. Most brands focused on energy-efficiency and connectivity innovations. Component suppliers, infrastructure providers, and connectivity vendors promoted outstanding new technologies, while vehicle and allied service providers highlighted the benefits of connected smart cars. This year, IAA launched a new show format, “New Mobility World”, which showcased innovations across several core themes: Connected Car, Automated Driving, E-Mobility, Urban Mobility, and New Mobility Services. The goal of IAA’s “New Mobility World” was to provide a new platform for the ecosystem emerging around the future of mobility.
According to Cisco IBSG (2012), the number of IoT devices will reach 50 billion by 2020. Booz & Company and the Center of Automotive Management predict that the worldwide revenues for vehicle components with networked safety features will grow from 10 billion in 2015 to 330 billion by 2020. Technology companies, like Google and Apple, are actively developing new connected car applications and platforms, resulting in many car infotainment systems having to support both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay platforms.
Car manufacturers are aggressively looking at new business opportunities to expand the use of In-Vehicle Infotainment (IVI) systems to provide better user experience to customers. For example, the new Opel Astra features a completely redesigned dashboard; for instance, the center console gets a new touch screen-based IVI system that drivers can use it to navigate and answer phone calls. The BMW 7 Series features a Connected Drive App with new IVI systems and applications. For example, BMW 7 Series drivers can remotely access smart home systems, receive automated navigation updates, access super-fast Wi-Fi, and enjoy the convenience of remote control parking. Last but not least, the 2017 Audi A4 will come equipped with “Traffic Jam Assist”, an IVI feature that will allow the car to operate on its own when in slow-moving traffic.
New Audi A4 8-inch screen includes the latest MMI infotainment system.
IAA’s “New Mobility World” showed that integrated urban mobility is moving closer to reality. Take “City App”as an example, their solution features a crowdsourcing paradigm that lets citizens report defects and damage in their immediate neighborhood. Algorithms assimilate these reports with other data, such as traffic density, to assist city administrators optimize traffic flows. Another urban mobility application presented an intelligent traffic light system that improves traffic flow and automatically recognizes children for improved road safety. Automated driving is moving closer to reality, which means fewer car accidents and optimized traffic flows for reduced fuel consumption.
Automotive entertainment systems featured expanded connectivity and compatibility standards integration, with Wi-Fi, USB, MHL, HDMI, Bluetooth®, Siri voice control, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. IVI systems also show improvements in smart parking, traffic jam assistance, real-time navigation, and optimal route planning. There were many new technologies and innovations on display in the “New Mobility World” exhibition area, including smart car access solutions, seamless entertainment systems, and various other wireless ID apps.
Allion Labs, Inc. (Allion) also attended the 66th IAA Frankfurt Motor Show to offer IVI system verification and validation services. The connected car ecosystem is complicated due to the diversity of companies involved and fast-changing technology. Allion has hundreds of test engineers, world-class test facilities in various locations, and a large inventory of test devices to assist with IVI system interoperability testing, debugging, issue tracking and analysis. Allion also offers test compliance services for over thirty (30+) industry standards (such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth®, HDMI, MHL, SD, and many more) to ensure that your product can access global markets. To learn more about our automotive validation program, please contact us: service@allion.com or visit our website: http://www.allion.com/Automotive.html.