--- The automotive industry is on the cusp of a revolution, with software-defined vehicles promising to change the way we think about cars. But what exactly does this mean, and how does it impact the likes of Ford, which has been working on a new EV platform aimed at bringing affordable EVs to the US market? In broad strokes, a software-defined vehicle is exactly what it sounds like. If a car's features are effectively digital, rather than requiring physical hardware, it fits the bill. This approach reduces production and support costs, giving the automaker greater control over a vehicle's lifecycle. Over-the-air updates can address safety issues, fix glitches, and even add or remove features in a way that's not possible in an analog car. Ford's next-gen EVs will have just a handful of master electronic control modules comprising a new, in-house zonal electrical architecture. This is a far cry from ...
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The automotive industry is on the cusp of a revolution, with software-defined vehicles promising to change the way we think about cars. But what exactly does this mean, and how does it impact the likes of Ford, which has been working on a new EV platform aimed at bringing affordable EVs to the US market?
In broad strokes, a software-defined vehicle is exactly what it sounds like. If a car’s features are effectively digital, rather than requiring physical hardware, it fits the bill. This approach reduces production and support costs, giving the automaker greater control over a vehicle’s lifecycle. Over-the-air updates can address safety issues, fix glitches, and even add or remove features in a way that’s not possible in an analog car.
Ford’s next-gen EVs will have just a handful of master electronic control modules comprising a new, in-house zonal electrical architecture. This is a far cry from the current F-150 Lightning and Mach-E, which have more than 70 individual system modules produced by an almost equally impressive quantity of individual suppliers.
The current EVs are not software-defined in the way Ford envisions. Instead, they’re complex, with multiple suppliers and interfaces that need to be communicated amongst people. This creates a bottleneck, where even small errors or miscommunications can delay or halt production.
Ford’s new platform, on the other hand, is focused on functional execution. Within each supplier, there’s an opportunity for error, but the new platform’s team is focused on getting the job done, rather than worrying about complex interfaces.
This means that even if the US government had not eliminated EV incentives, Ford’s current EVs would have been on borrowed time. Now, with a clean slate, Ford can push the boundaries of what’s possible with software-defined vehicles.
As the automotive industry continues to evolve, it’s exciting to think about the possibilities that software-defined vehicles hold. With their potential for reduced costs, increased efficiency, and greater control over a vehicle’s lifecycle, it’s clear that this is an area to watch in the years to come.
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