IoT-connected vehicles will challenge car firms

The growing importance of the internet for providing data services and data analytics is creating challenges for automotive suppliers, which will be very familiar to IT firms, writes Andrew Macleod

By Richard Wilson - Electronics Weekly, Oct. 28, 2015 – 

In the past market needs for consumer electronics, computer networks, and the automotive industry were very separate, each with their own design cycles and security requirements. Convergence of these sectors has changed this forever, and many of the historical challenges faced and successfully addressed by computer networks are now being presented to the automotive industry.

Automotive OEMs are now looking for secure connected car solutions with the supporting infrastructure. Safety and security issues are center stage with high consumer awareness of the threat of electronically hi-jacked vehicles.

Our computers and laptops typically have the ability to connect with each other through wireless or physical cable networks. This is not the case the connected car - all vehicles require wireless only connections. But how is this best implemented?

Nearly 100% of all car drivers are smartphone owners, and have the ability to communicate while in transit. These devices are increasingly being integrated into the vehicle, through MirrorLink, Apple CarPlay, or Google Android Auto - all offer a means to stream external network data into the vehicle system. However, tethering through a smartphone is not secure or robust enough for the needs of passive or active autonomous vehicle control.

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