In today’s fast-changing marketplace, embracing technology disruptors has become essential in practically every industry, including the automotive sector. Global shifts, changing consumer needs, and relentless technological advancement are all simultaneously impacting the automotive sector. Here, automotive electronics have emerged as a leading innovator in the field, surpassing the limitations of conventional engines and mechanical components to create entirely new driving experiences.
Also read: Why Data Solutions Matter In Connected Cars?
According to a new report by Counterpoint, the Indian automotive electronics market is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17% and reach $18 billion by 2027. The increase in demand for in-car digital experiences is a result of both rising income levels and consumer desire.
These statistics highlight a significant shift in consumer expectations, as driving has become more than just a means of transportation and is now an immersive experience made possible by state-of-the-art automobile technology. This progress, characterised by intelligent infotainment and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), not only improves driving but also drives industry growth by meeting changing consumer demands.
Thus, automobile electronics extend their reach beyond the conventional driving sphere by providing entertainment, convenience, and communication in addition to their regular functions.
Here’s a look at some of the remarkable ways in which automotive electronics are shaping our lives-
Enhancing Safety: Beyond the road, safety precautions are extended by innovative automotive electronics. Road sensors identify dangerous situations like slippery roads, and backup sensors alert drivers to impending barriers. Sensors in blind zones keep unseen vehicles from colliding.
Additionally, parents can address a major contributing factor to deadly crashes by installing sensors in their teenage drivers’ cars to prohibit using cell phones while driving. These uses demonstrate how automobile electronics improve safety in a number of modern scenarios.
DC to DC Converters: Innovative automotive electronics extend beyond traditional road applications, encompassing DC to DC converters with diverse topologies. These converters, categorised as isolated and non-isolated, play a crucial role in power train systems.
Advanced concepts like soft-switching, employing LLC or resonant modes, reduce stress on switches, enhancing reliability and lifespan. Bidirectional converters, such as 400 to 12V for electric vehicles and 48 to 12V for hybrids or internal combustion engines, exemplify the adaptability of automotive electronics in modern life’s varied domains.
Infotainment and Connectivity: Innovative automotive electronics redefine modern life beyond roads, elevating in-car experiences with advanced infotainment and connectivity features. Through sophisticated systems encompassing navigation, audio, and touchscreen displays, alongside voice recognition and seamless smartphone integration, vehicles become entertainment hubs on wheels.
Connectivity options like Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and cellular networks further expand possibilities, offering passengers entertainment, communication, and access to a plethora of services and applications. Such innovations exemplify the transformative impact of automotive electronics across diverse facets of contemporary living.
Lighting and Electrical Systems: Innovative automotive electronics extend their influence beyond roads, shaping modern life through advanced lighting and electrical system management. From exterior headlights and tail lights to interior ambient lighting, electronics meticulously control illumination for enhanced safety and aesthetics.
Moreover, in electric and hybrid vehicles, sophisticated electronics oversee electrical distribution, battery management, and charging systems, ensuring optimal performance and efficiency. These applications highlight the integral role of automotive electronics in enhancing not only driving experiences but also broader aspects of contemporary living.
The Transformative Role of Automotive Electronics
Automotive electronics have an impact on many facets of modern life and go beyond the conventional domain of transportation as they continue to push the frontiers of innovation. The way we live our daily lives is being changed by these technologies, which can improve safety or allow for seamless entertainment and connectivity.
Automobile electronics are set to become increasingly crucial to the future of mobility and contemporary living as a result of continuous developments and rising consumer demand.
This article is authored by Pavan Puri, Founder & Managing Director, Greencore Electronics. All views are personal.