Przemek Krokosz examines the impact AI will have on bringing the first software-defined vehicle to market
While the automotive industry is already firmly on the path to launching software-defined vehicles (SDVs) in the not-too-distant future, there are still a number of challenges to overcome. This is particularly the case for the more established automotive manufacturers, which are grappling with legacy technology, infrastructure and thinking. Meanwhile, their newer counterparts in countries such as China, which are unburdened by these legacies, are setting the pace towards a software-defined future using best practices learnt from their more established rivals. AI has a pivotal role to play in helping to move SDVs forward and will eventually speed up the process, but right now, the industry needs to invest time and resources into understanding the impact and implementing it. The SDV market could be worth almost US$250bn by 2032
Generative AI will act as a powerful catalyst for legacy car makers as they transition towards delivering SDVs to market. Among the main benefits is improved efficiency. AI is good at mimicking what we teach it so is well placed to help with the more tedious tasks such as creating and intelligently populating a template configuration file with parameter data. It also facilitates enhanced design and optimisation. By analysing data and selecting the right parameters, generative AI can provide insights and suggestions for optimised functionalities for SDVs, leading to better, more efficient vehicles with improved performance and safety features. For example, an AI-based model for a Battery Management System may increase the vehicle range and make it more resistant to negative weather impacts. In this way, generative AI can potentially help to bridge the gap between legacy automakers and the software-driven future by streamlining development, optimising designs and facilitating faster testing cycles. AI will power autopilot capabilities, allowing for steering, navigation, route planning and parking
There are many and varied applications for AI inside the SDV, where it will eventually influence everything from car maintenance and driving assistance to providing intuitive personal assistance. This includes applications such as advanced driver assistance and using AI to power fully autonomous autopilot capabilities, allowing for steering, navigation, route planning and parking in almost all environments. It also comes into play in monitoring vehicle health to identify potential issues, improve safety and reduce the chance of hold-ups. Personalised in-car experiences will draw on AI’s capabilities, such as when planning routes in line with the driver’s schedule and learning driver preferences such as locations, temperatures or even audio entertainment. AI will also enable the driver to dictate an email or message and send it, having learnt the appropriate tone from the user. It also serves to reinforce security, ranging from biometric owner recognition to detecting suspicious activities and defending against cyberattacks. The challenge we need to overcome is where the AI capabilities will be housed, in the cloud or in the vehicle itself. While the cloud might seem to be the obvious choice due to computation requirements, the vehicle would need a constant, uninterrupted connection with the cloud at all times. At this stage, that cannot be guaranteed and there are few signs that it would be possible. This would suggest that the more viable option would be to incorporate the processing ability within the vehicle itself. The possibilities for AI in SDVs continue to evolve at speed and, with the SDV market expected to be worth almost US$250bn by 2032, it’s a huge opportunity for the automotive industry. The trick to making it a reality will lie in providing the platform and the AI-based software without compromising on safety of vehicle design. The opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of Automotive World Ltd.
Przemek Krokosz is Senior Solution Architect at Mobica
The AutomotiveWorld.com Comment column is open to automotive industry decision makers and influencers. If you would like to contribute a Comment article, please contact editorial@automotiveworld.comitect at Mobica,
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Setting the course for SDVs: the power and potential of AI

Mozammul Ahmed
We spoke to Mozammul Ahmed, Embedded Solutions Manager at Cognizant Company Mobica on how cybersecurity is shaping manufacturing product design
Moz, tell us about your role at Mobica
Having experienced working for companies in semiconductor design, consumer electronics and technology consultancy, my role involves designing the technical solutions that solve problems for some of the largest businesses in the world. One of my key responsibilities is to help bridge the gap between technical and commercial stakeholders, particularly during the sales process. What’s the most pressing challenge your customers are facing right now? Cybercrime is a major area of concern, especially in regards to the Internet of Things (IoT). There are billions of connected devices around the world – and we are becoming increasingly dependent on them. It’s not unusual for people to have more than a dozen IoT devices within their homes. And when they leave home, there is also a good chance they will get into a connected car. They may even work in a smart factory, surrounded by thousands of connected sensors and actuators that are remotely monitoring and controlling the machinery around them. Given this prevalence, it has become essential that all these devices are reliable and secure. IoT device manufacturers have not always prioritised security, however. In the early days of IoT, the main aim was to build devices that were good enough, and cheap enough, to encourage mass adoption. Stringent security measures were often a secondary consideration. However, regulations such as the UK’s Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act and the EU Cyber Resilience Act have raised the bar when it comes IoT security, and manufacturers are having to reassess their priorities. So, what do you advise manufacturers to do? Connected device security requires a different approach. Since the dawn of the internet, cyber security professionals have put guards and gates on the borders of corporate IT networks to protect them from intruders, but this approach will not work with IoT products. Connected devices are often distributed in the field, outside the direct control of cyber security professionals. This means they are vulnerable to physical tampering and fault injection attacks. Their reliance on over the air (OTA) updates means they can also be a target for man-in-the-middle hacking techniques. To combat these threats, manufacturers are having to make connected devices more resistant and resilient to attack. The assumption needs to be that a product could be breached at any time and, as such, a ‘zero trust’ mindset needs to be adopted. This will give manufacturers a better chance of being able to detect a breach and recover devices should the worst happen. What effect will this zero trust approach have on how products are designed? A zero trust approach will impact design in several ways. For instance, businesses will want to minimise the storage of sensitive data on the device. They will also want to monitor their product’s dependencies for vulnerabilities and apply fixes when available. With that risk awareness in place, manufacturers can incorporate a secure mechanism to interrogate and validate the firmware and software on the devices during each boot and at runtime. This can reveal whether a device is still trustworthy or has been compromised. In the event a device should fail this test, manufacturers can mark it down for recovery. Manufacturers should also be looking at the processes they have in place to protect products on an ongoing basis. For example, end users will need to be provided with regular updates and security patches to protect devices from common vulnerabilities and exposures (CVEs). Coming back to your role, how do embedded solutions play a role in IoT security? This is where it all becomes quite technical. To enable the above security measures to be put in place, manufacturers will need to take advantage of embedded technology. This is likely to include the use of secure elements on microprocessors, which can be used to support a number of security related functions, such as secure storage, generation of keys, detection of modifications and the creation of a Hardware Root of Trust (RoT). RoT provides a highly secure method of cryptographically verifying communication – ensuring that updates are safe and have not been modified in transit. Manufacturers need to be wary of the fact that, although difficult, it is possible to physically extract keys and sensitive information from storage on the chip and also access keys before they are injected into a device at the manufacturing stage. A solution to this problem is to avoid handling the keys altogether, by using a Physical Unclonable Function (PUF). PUFs take advantage of the physical characteristics of a silicon chip, using the randomness of the material to provide a reliably unique and unpredictable secret key that isn't stored in memory. It does not need to be handled and cannot be extracted from the device by reading stored contents. How important are these security systems to connected products? Failure to protect devices will leave doors open to criminal hackers, leaving individuals and businesses vulnerable, and manufacturers facing the wrath of regulators. By embedding deeper layers of protection, however, manufactures can create greater resistance to and resilience from cyberattacks. This will allow manufacturers and end users alike to focus less on the potential problems and more on the benefits connected products can deliver. For more information on how to protect connected products please read the 'Securing the Connected Future' guide, which can be found at Mobica.com. ******

Mobica: The Impact of Cybersecurity on Product Design

Although semiconductor shortages in the automotive industry have now largely abated, what they revealed about production remains true: vehicles are more akin to computers on wheels than simple horseless carriages. By 2030, Deloitte estimates that chips will account for 45% of a new car’s total cost—up from 18% in 2020. But what are the broader implications of this trend on industry talent pipelines? Gary Butters, Chief Executive at global software talent provider Mobica, tells Automotive World that the need for skilled professionals in software development, artificial intelligence (AI), IoT, and data analytics is surging. However, with every automaker vying for a limited pool of talent, new sourcing methods will be required to complete innovative projects and stay competitive. It’s time to log in (or subscribe). Not a member? Subscribe now and let us help you understand the future of mobility. Scroll

‘Talent as a service’ is a catalyst for mobility innovation

Software firm Mobica has appointed Gary Butters as CEO, building on success and fuelling continued growth following its acquisition by Cognizant last year

Mobica Appoints New CEO Amid Cognizant Acquisition

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LONDON, March 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Mobica , the global software and engineering provider, has announced Gary Butters as their Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Gary joined Mobica as Chief Revenue Officer (CRO) in November 2020 and as part of outgoing CEO Sam Kingston's leadership team, delivered significant success, leading to Mobica's acquisition by Cognizant in March 2023. Mobica Appoints Gary Butters as CEO
This acquisition will significantly expand Cognizant's IoT embedded software engineering capabilities as part of their overall strategy to help companies modernise technology, reimagine processes and transform experiences so they stay ahead in a fast-changing world. Gary takes over the role with the remit to complete the integration of Mobica into Cognizant while continuing to deliver double-digit growth. Mobica, which is headquartered in Manchester UK, with operations in Europe and the US, provides world-class software engineering and development expertise to many of the most recognised global brands. Founded in 2004, it serves a number of sectors, with particular expertise in the automotive, manufacturing, industrial and semiconductor industries. In his role as CEO, Gary will continue Mobica's vision of delivering exceptional value and innovation to it's clients and customers, while spearheading its growth plan as demand for engineering and software expertise continues to rise. Commenting on his appointment, Gary says:
"Over the past few years, Mobica has seen demand for our world-class engineering increase significantly, particularly with the acceleration in AI and machine learning. This has seen some of the once 'traditional' industries such as automotive and manufacturing undergo a radical transformation. "As a result, companies are increasingly seeking skilled professionals - particularly in areas such as software development, AI, IoT, and data analytics - in order to stay competitive and meet evolving customer expectations. However, they are vying for a limited pool of technology talent, so access to Mobica engineering services has been vital to enable our customers to remain agile in a rapidly evolving landscape. "Our ongoing growth is a testament to our team of dedicated 'Mobicans' and our unwavering dedication to delivering cutting-edge software engineering solutions. We have consistently provided clients with access to top-tier engineering talent, enabling them to drive digital transformation and achieve their business objectives. I am looking forward to working with our talented team as we continue our ambitious growth plans."

Mobica Appoints Gary Butters as CEO, Building on Success and Fuelling Continued Growth

Cognizant operates as a technology services company focused on modernizing businesses within various sectors. The company offers artificial intelligence (AI) platforms, orchestration services, and solutions aimed at improving quality and reducing costs, along with services for technology modernization, process reimagination, and experience transformation. Cognizant serves sectors that require digital transformation and AI integration, including consumer goods, media and entertainment, and healthcare. Cognizant was formerly known as Dun & Bradstreet Satyam Software. It was founded in 1994 and is based in Teaneck, New Jersey.

Cognizant

Given the heritage of both businesses and our future ambitions , the partnership between Mobica and Cognizant only serves to make us stronger , and deliver service excellence to our clients .

Mobica and Cognizant: 50 years of tech expertise - and counting

Khronos Group is a not-for-profit consortium focused on creating royalty-free, open standards for visual computing across various operating systems and devices. The company develops APIs for 3D graphics, virtual and augmented reality, parallel computing, machine learning, and vision processing, providing graphics and compute capabilities on desktop, embedded, and mobile platforms. Khronos standards are used in applications from consumer games to scientific visualization, addressing silicon acceleration across devices, developer tools, and hardware components. It was founded in 2000 and is based in Beaverton, Oregon.

Khronos Group

MediaTek operates as a semiconductor solutions company focused on mobile, home entertainment, connectivity, and Internet of Things (IoT) products. The company develops systems-on-chip (SoC) that enable several connected devices each year, specializing in mobile technologies, automotive solutions, and multimedia products. MediaTek's offerings include chipsets for smartphones, smart home devices, automotive technology, and a range of IoT applications. It was founded in 1997 and is based in Hsinchu, Taiwan.

MediaTek

AppCarousel is the provider of app management platforms for connected cars and fleets, smartphones, smart screens, tablets, and other connected devices. The AppCarousel platform delivers a seamless, integrated solution to securely distribute, update, control and manage any kind of downloadable software or digital asset. The company provides curated app stores and software marketplaces, developer programs, and the merchandising and monetization of apps.

AppCarousel

DiSTI Corporation specializes in graphical user interface software and 3D virtual maintenance training solutions across various sectors including aerospace, automotive, and medical. The company offers products such as HMI development tools, virtual cockpits, and virtual training applications. DiSTI serves industries that require interface and training solutions, such as aviation, automotive, defense, and medical sectors. It is based in Orlando, Florida.

DiSTI Corporation

Mobica

KidSpotter

Wellcom

Logica

Acquired

Mobica provides software development and integration services. It offers engineering, consultancy, software designing, and quality assurance and testing services. The company caters to the semiconductor, mobile, automotive, finance, banking, and television or broadcasting sectors. It was founded in 2004 and is based in Wilmslow, U.K. In January 2023, Mobica was acquired by Cognizant. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Date	Round	Amount	Investors	Valuation Valuations are submitted by companies, mined from state filings or news, provided by VentureSource, or based on a comparables valuation model.	Revenue	Sources
1/23/2023	Acquired		Cognizant	$XXM	0 FY undefined	22
9/29/2015	Private Equity		Subscribe to see more	$XXM	0 FY undefined	10

Date	1/23/2023	9/29/2015
Round	Acquired	Private Equity
Amount
Investors	Cognizant	Subscribe to see more
Valuation	$XXM	$XXM
Revenue	0 FY undefined	0 FY undefined
Sources	22	10

First funding	Last Funding	Investor	Rounds	Board Seats	Type	Location
1/23/2023	1/23/2023	Cognizant	1 Acquired		Corporation	New Jersey
00/00/0000	00/00/0000	Inflexion Private Equity	Subscribe to see more	Subscribe to see more	Private Equity	United Kingdom

First funding	1/23/2023	00/00/0000
Last Funding	1/23/2023	00/00/0000
Investor	Cognizant	Inflexion Private Equity
Rounds	1 Acquired	Subscribe to see more
Board Seats		Subscribe to see more
Type	Corporation	Private Equity
Location	New Jersey	United Kingdom

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