 What does 'software-based' mean?
At some point in this book, we need to delve a little deeper into the underlying concepts. So, what do we do with the nebulous term 'software-based car' and some related
terms?
In fact, the question can be broken down even further. What changes does this objective bring, for example, in vehicle development? Does an electric car fundamentally offer
more opportunities for software-based
development?
Definitely yes! There's even a suspicion that its introduction played a significant role in the emphasis on software. However, the beginnings of AI must be dated much further
back, to the 1970s or even the 1950s.
In this chapter, we're moving into the field of development. This happens through the collaboration of teams, ideally not only in the isolated home office. Consciously selected
representatives from various disciplines are
involved.
As an example, but really only as an example, electronics and mechanics are meant here. The topic of 'brakes' is also included here, which is an excellent way of making
cooperation clear.
If a braking effect is then reduced ten times per second, then this must be possible with the mechanics of the brake, otherwise the rate can be slowed down, which would not be
in the sense of the task.
Perhaps we also need chemically savvy people who, keyword 'Silverwire', develop coatings for brake discs and pads that hopefully not only generate more friction but also
make the discs more resistant to corrosion.
This is, of course, hardware-dominat, but before you laboriously build one prototype after another, you can perhaps simulate its behavior, keyword 'digital twins', a virtual twin
that shows you whether you're on the right way.
This is, of course, hardware-dominat, but before you laboriously build one prototype after another, you can perhaps simulate its behavior, keyword 'digital twins', a virtual twin
that shows you whether you're on the right track.
Or you can get in touch with the specialists for electric motors and check whether they can take some of the work off the brakes, or even all of it on the rear axle. Mercedes is
reportedly working on such a system that goes beyond normal recuperation.
And to include two more keywords, there is the word monster Automotive Software Process Improvement and Capability De
termination, which, perhaps particularly useful for brake software, emphasize the safety aspect in software development.
Don't worry, we'll still manage to include the last keyword, namely the 'Key Performance Indicator', which shows how successful a certain process has
been, for example, in development, but may also address the company's strategic decisions.
Even though this chapter relies heavily on some very new terms, it nevertheless shows how software is also gaining more space in vehicle development and increasing
effectiveness than one would have expected given the long-standing achievements of computer technology.
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