I was had planned to do a long post on self-driving cars a quite long time. I was planning to do one this spring, but I might not do that, because it seems that predictions that self-driving cars would be here in 2020 were far too rosy. Five years ago, several companies including Nissan and Toyota promised self-driving cars in 2020. So it may be wise to take any new forecasts with a grain of salt. Hare is a worth to check out article of the current status of self-driving cars:
Surprise! 2020 Is Not the Year for Self-Driving Cars
https://spectrum.ieee.org/transportation/self-driving/surprise-2020-is-not-the-year-for-selfdriving-cars
In March, because of the coronavirus, self-driving car companies, including Argo, Aurora, Cruise, Pony, and Waymo, suspended vehicle testing and operations that involved a human driver. Around the same time, Waymo and Ford released open data sets of information collected during autonomous-vehicle tests and challenged developers to use them to come up with faster and smarter self-driving algorithms.
It seems that the self-driving car industry still hopes to make meaningful progress on autonomous vehicles (AVs) this year, but the industry is slowed by the pandemic and facing a set of very hard problems that have gotten no easier to solve over the years.
1,894 Comments
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://etn.fi/index.php/13-news/12553-miltae-kuulostaisi-saehkoeauton-lataus-300-kilowatin-teholla-automaattisesti
Tomi Engdahl says:
Amazon’s AI-powered cameras punish its delivery drivers when they look at side mirrors or when other cars cut them off, report says
https://lm.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.businessinsider.com%2Famazon-delivery-drivers-netradyne-ai-cameras-punished-when-cut-off-2021-9&h=AT0zfMwNvNPTtLYUMZ3wbJ9pLQ2e4JbegRHNeXZXAwbNYmsbuRmoECW5cab0sBk_HyhTANtkzMW1QnkpHaScrTwqvEjtRh95gEUwenIoS2QIzQF57YCB745juKQb_bVNsIYdOhu5bIidK08Wag
Amazon drivers say they are being punished for some driving habits that are considered safe and others that are beyond their control, Motherboard reported.
Amazon’s AI cameras penalize drivers for using side mirrors and being cut off, Motherboard reports.
Penalties like these hurt workers’ and DSPs’ performance scores and their chances to get more money.
Amazon said it has seen a reduction in accidents since installing the cameras in more than half of its delivery vehicles.
Tomi Engdahl says:
LG to Acquire Vehicle Cybersecurity Firm Cybellum
https://www.securityweek.com/lg-acquire-vehicle-cybersecurity-firm-cybellum
South Korean electronics giant LG Electronics on Thursday announced plans to acquire Israel-based automotive cybersecurity company Cybellum for roughly $240 million.
LG said it will initially acquire a 64-percent stake in Cybellum for $140 million and it will acquire the remaining shares in the near future — if the valuation does not change, the remaining shares will be worth nearly $80 million.
The Korean tech giant also plans on investing $20 million in the cybersecurity firm through a simple agreement for future equity (SAFE) after the trading process has been completed in the fourth quarter.
Cybellum provides vehicle cybersecurity risk assessment solutions, and the company claims to be working with vehicle manufacturers and suppliers around the world.
The company’s Cyber Digital Twins platform is designed to protect vehicles against cyber threats by creating a detailed representation of their software components and checking them for vulnerabilities. Users are also provided recommendations for addressing identified issues.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Jyväskylässä tehdään historiaa: Maailmalle esitellään sataprosenttisesti uusiutuva polttoaine
Polttoaine on tehty sieppaamalla ilmakehään jo vapautunutta hiilidioksidia.
https://www.iltalehti.fi/ralli/a/7902f028-1ed2-4194-90ab-e48701360d67
Suomen MM-rallin yhteydessä nähdään historiallinen hetki, kun Jyväskylässä ajetaan maailman ensimmäiset rallikilometrit sataprosenttisesti uusiutuvalla polttoaineella.
Maailman ensimmäisen päästöttömän WRC-erikoiskokeen ajaa rallin pääsponsorin Secto Automotiven toimitusjohtaja Matias Henkola Mini Cooperillaan. Historiallinen hetki nähdään perjantaina 1. lokakuuta Harjun erikoiskokeella. Henkola ajaa kilometrit näytösajoluonteisesti.
Tomi Engdahl says:
California makes zero-emission autonomous vehicles mandatory by 2030
https://techcrunch.com/2021/09/24/california-makes-zero-emission-autonomous-vehicles-mandatory-by-2030/?tpcc=ECFB2021
Starting in 2030, California will require all light-duty autonomous vehicles that operate in the state to emit zero emissions. Signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom on Thursday, SB 500 represents the latest effort by the state to limit the sale of new internal combustion vehicles with an eye towards reducing greenhouse emissions. In 2020, Newsom signed an executive order that effectively banned the sale of new gasoline and diesel-powered vehicles by 2035. That same year, the state’s Air Resources Board mandated that all new trucks sold in California emit zero emissions by 2045.
“We’re grateful for California’s leadership in ensuring this will be the industry standard,”
Tomi Engdahl says:
Researcher drops three iOS zero-days that Apple refused to fix
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/researcher-drops-three-ios-zero-days-that-apple-refused-to-fix/#.YU5I5P6WmuI.facebook
Proof-of-concept exploit code for three iOS zero-day vulnerabilities (and a fourth one patched in July) was published on GitHub after Apple delayed patching and failed to credit the researcher.
The unknown researcher who found the four zero-days reported them to Apple between March 10 and May 4. However, the company silently patched one of them in July with the release of 14.7 without giving credit in the security advisory.
Tomi Engdahl says:
GM Plans to Idle Factories Longer Amid Chip Shortage
Auto maker will add to scheduled downtime at seven plants in the U.S., Canada and Mexico
https://www.wsj.com/articles/gm-plans-to-idle-factories-longer-amid-chip-shortage-11631819780
Tomi Engdahl says:
Inside the industry: Chip shortage comes as financial support dries up
Losses from pandemic shutdowns could be eclipsed by those caused by semiconductor shortage
https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/industry-news-tech%2C-development-and-manufacturing/inside-industry-chip-shortage-comes
Tomi Engdahl says:
Arm launches hardware platforms for software-defined cars
https://venturebeat.com/2021/09/15/arm-launches-hardware-platforms-for-software-defined-cars/
Arm has unveiled new tools to help chipmakers and carmakers develop the “software-defined” automobiles of the future. Software-defined cars are those that can be reprogrammed for different functions using software, even after the vehicles ship to owners.
Cambridge, England-based Arm is working with major automobile suppliers and tech firms, including AWS, Continental, Cariad, and more. The car features range from driver-assisted safety measures to self-driving cars. But they’re all loaded with electronics.
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://etn.fi/index.php/13-news/12612-lotuksen-tulevat-mallit-valvovat-akustojaan-langattomasti
Tomi Engdahl says:
Komponenttipula vie autonvalmistajilta 210 miljardia dollaria
https://etn.fi/index.php/13-news/12613-komponenttipula-vie-autonvalmistajilta-210-miljardia-dollaria
Autoteollisuus on yksi aloista, jotka kärsivät tällä hetkellä pahiten komponenttipulasta. Useita tehtaita on jopa suljettu, koska tuotanto ei voida pitää käynnissä. Tutkimuslaitoksen mukaan komponenttipula aiheuttaa valmistajille tänä vuonna jättimäiset 210 miljardin dollarin menetykset.
Näin arvioi autoalaa seuraava AlixPartners. Sen mukaan komponenttipulan takia jää valmistumatta 7,7 miljoonaa ajoneuvoa. Vielä toukokuussa ennusteessa puhuttiin 3,9 miljoonan ajoneuvon vajeesta. Tutkimuslaitoksen mukaan komponenttipula on vain yksi monista poikkeuksellisista häiriöistä, joita autoala kohtaa tällä hetkellä.
- Tietysti kaikki olivat toivoneet, että komponenttikriisi olisi rauhoittunut tähän mennessä, mutta valitettavat tapahtumat, kuten COVID-19-pandemian aiheuttamat puolijohdetehtaiden sulkemiset Malesiassa ja jatkuvat ongelmat muualla ovat pahentaneet asioita, sanoo AlixPartnersin Mark Wakefield.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Sähköautojen myynnissä tehtiin elokuussa historiaa
https://etn.fi/index.php/13-news/12620-saehkoeautojen-myynnissae-tehtiin-elokuussa-historiaa
Tomi Engdahl says:
Arm Rolls Out Tools To Usher in Software-Upgradeable Cars
Sept. 17, 2021
Arm said it partnered with Volkswagen, Continental, Green Hills, and others to roll out the new Scalable Open Architecture for Embedded Edge (SOAFEE) software stack and a reference platform based on it.
https://www.electronicdesign.com/markets/automotive/article/21175494/electronic-design-arm-rolls-out-tools-to-usher-in-softwareupgradeable-cars?utm_source=EG%20ED%20Auto%20Electronics&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS210917043&o_eid=7211D2691390C9R&rdx.ident%5Bpull%5D=omeda%7C7211D2691390C9R&oly_enc_id=7211D2691390C9R
Tomi Engdahl says:
“Avatar”-Inspired Concept Car Uses Brain Activity as UI
Sept. 20, 2021
Mercedes-Benz recently demo’d a “brain-computer interface” for its VISION AVTR vehicle. The device attaches to the user’s head—one just needs to focus on a particular light on the digital display to select a function.
https://www.electronicdesign.com/markets/automotive/article/21175809/electronic-design-avatarinspired-concept-car-uses-brain-activity-as-ui?utm_source=EG%20ED%20Auto%20Electronics&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS210917043&o_eid=7211D2691390C9R&rdx.ident%5Bpull%5D=omeda%7C7211D2691390C9R&oly_enc_id=7211D2691390C9R
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.electronicdesign.com/markets/automotive/article/21175311/machine-design-a-quick-byte-maintaining-a-formula-e-racer?utm_source=EG%20ED%20Auto%20Electronics&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS210917043&o_eid=7211D2691390C9R&rdx.ident%5Bpull%5D=omeda%7C7211D2691390C9R&oly_enc_id=7211D2691390C9R
Tomi Engdahl says:
Faiz Siddiqui / Washington Post:
Tesla begins letting drivers request its “Full Self-Driving” beta, prompting criticism from regulators and safety advocates
https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2021/09/24/tesla-full-self-driving/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://techcrunch.com/2021/09/25/why-mpg-should-matter-for-electric-vehicles/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Today’s cars are mobile data centers, and that data needs to be protected https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2021/10/01/cars-mobile-data-centers/
Our cars can no longer be considered as independent machines providing for our personal transportation. The integration of mobile communications, infotainment, geo-location, and emergency monitoring systems render cars as a connected device within a distributed mesh of different data services.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Sähköinen liikenne saa ensimmäisen professuurin
https://etn.fi/index.php/13-news/12651-saehkoeinen-liikenne-saa-ensimmaeisen-professuurin
LUT-yliopisto (Lappeenrannan-Lahden teknillinen yliopisto LUT) perustaa Suomen ensimmäisen sähköisen liikenteen professuurin Lahteen. Tavoitteena on tuoda tuorein tutkimustieto suomalaisten yrityksien käyttöön ja tukea uusia innovaatioita ja liiketoimintaa sähköisissä liikennejärjestelmäratkaisuissa. Kempower tukee professuuria 5 vuoden aikana 100 000 eurolla.
- LUTin sähkö- ja konetekniikan osastot ovat tehneet pitkään yhteistyötä Kemppi-yhtiöiden kanssa. Uuden professuurin myötä yhteistyö vahvistuu edelleen erityisesti Kempower Oy:n kanssa. Latausjärjestelmät ovat oleellinen osa sähköisen liikenteen infrastruktuuria, ja niihin liittyvä tutkimus ja teknologiakehitys tarjoaa erinomaisia haasteita tekniikan alan tutkijoille. Teemme tätä työtä mielellämme teknologiayhtiöiden kanssa, sanoo LUT-yliopiston dekaani Olli Pyrhönen.
Latausyritys tukee uutta sähköisen liikenteen professuuria
https://www.uusiteknologia.fi/2021/10/04/latausyritys-tukee-uutta-sahkoisen-liikenteen-professuuria/
Lappeenrannan ja Lahden teknillisen yliopistoon LUT:iin on tulossa maan ensimmäinen sähköisen liikenteen professuurin ja uusi maisteriohjelma. Lahteen tulevan toiminnon mahdollistaa osaltaan myös Kemppi-konserniin kuuluvan LSK Groupin tuki.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Näin pääset kokeilemaan robottibussia
https://www.uusiteknologia.fi/2021/10/05/nain-paaset-kokeilemaan-robottibussia/
Uusin robottibussikokeilu käynnistyi viime viikolla Helsingin Vuoraaressa linjalla 90R. Linjaa operoi itseajava sähköinen robottibussi, joka liikkuu muun liikenteen seassa. Palvelu on matkustajille ilmainen, mutta edellyttää korona-aikana maskin käyttämistä.
Arkisin robottibussi ajaa R90-reittiä klo 8-12 ja 16-20 HSL:n Reittioppaasssa näkyvien kiinteiden aikataulujen mukaan. Viikonloppuisin (la-su) robottibussin voi tilata ennalta määritellyn reitin varrella sijaitseville pysäkeille klo 9-12 ja 15-18 välillä. Kutsutoiminnon tarkoituksena on tarjota tarpeeseen tilattava palvelu, jolloin kuusipaikkainen robottibussi ei aja turhaan. Kutsutoiminto vaatii älylaitteella tapahtuvan sovelluksen käyttöä.
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://etn.fi/index.php/13-news/12658-robobussia-testataan-nyt-vuosaaressa
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.uusiteknologia.fi/2021/10/06/sahkolentokoneet-entista-lahempana/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.electronicdesign.com/power-management/whitepaper/21176788/electronic-design-controlling-emi-in-railway-systems?utm_source=EG%20ED%20Auto%20Electronics&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS211001037&o_eid=7211D2691390C9R&rdx.ident%5Bpull%5D=omeda%7C7211D2691390C9R&oly_enc_id=7211D2691390C9R
Tomi Engdahl says:
Mark Gurman / Bloomberg:
Sources: Apple is developing an iPhone-based car control system that could access climate control, speedometer, radio, seats, and more, expanding on CarPlay — – Company looks to build on success of CarPlay, launched in 2014 — Initiative, known as ‘IronHeart,’ is still in the early stages
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-10-07/apple-s-plan-for-cars-using-iphone-to-control-a-c-seats-radio
Tomi Engdahl says:
TI Rolls Out Isolated Bias Power Supply Module to Boost EV Range
https://www.electronicdesign.com/power-management/article/21176754/electronic-design-ti-rolls-out-isolated-bias-power-supply-module-to-boost-ev-range?utm_source=EG%20ED%20Auto%20Electronics&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS210930012&o_eid=7211D2691390C9R&rdx.ident%5Bpull%5D=omeda%7C7211D2691390C9R&oly_enc_id=7211D2691390C9R
Based on TI’s proprietary integrated transformer technology, the new power supply module delivers double the power density of a traditional bias supply in a smaller package that dissipates less heat.
Tomi Engdahl says:
This Week in PowerBites: Advanced SiC Makes Design Quick
Sept. 23, 2021
PowerBites ‘held the presses’ to bring you two technologies that make SiC power devices easier to work with, and two others that simplify driving BLDCs and high-power wireless-charging apps.
https://www.electronicdesign.com/power-management/whitepaper/21176294/electronic-design-this-week-in-powerbites-advanced-sic-makes-design-quick?utm_source=EG%20ED%20Auto%20Electronics&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS210930012&o_eid=7211D2691390C9R&rdx.ident%5Bpull%5D=omeda%7C7211D2691390C9R&oly_enc_id=7211D2691390C9R
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://etn.fi/index.php/13-news/12662-autojen-tietokoneiden-suorituskyky-kasvaa
Nyt autojen prosessorien ykkönen Renesas on kuitenkin valottanut tulevaa esittelemällä seuraavan sukupolven autojen järjestelmäpiirinsä.
Siinä yhdistyvät R-Car S4 -järjestelmäpiiri sekä tuoreen yritysoston eli Dialog Semiconductorin virranhallintapiiri. Niillä voidaan toteuttaa seuraavan sukupolven ajoneuvotietokoneet, verkkoyhdyskäytävät, verkkotunnuspalvelimet ja sovelluspalvelimet. Jo nämä termit osoittavat, että autosta on tulossa verkkolaite pyörillä.
R-Car S4 on yksi Renesasin neljännen sukupolven R-Car-perheen ensimmäisistä tuotteista. Se sisältää useita Arm Cortex A55- ja Cortex R52 -prosessoreita, ja se on samalla ensimmäinen, jossa järjestelmänohjauksesta vastaa RH850-ohjain. SoC-piirit tukevat laajaa valikoimaa erilaisia liittymiä: 16x CAN FD, 16x LIN, 8x SENT, 1x FlexRay, 4x PCIe V4.0 ja myös laajakaistainen 3 x 2,5 gigabitin Ethernet -kytkin.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Those Big Bets on Solid-State Batteries—The Payoff is Getting Closer
Oct. 1, 2021
The advantages of solid-state batteries versus lithium-ions to power EVs are clear, but designing the solid electrolyte has proven difficult. However, many companies and institutions are quickly making headway toward solutions.
https://www.electronicdesign.com/markets/automotive/article/21177144/electronic-design-those-big-bets-on-solidstate-batteriesthe-payoff-is-getting-closer?utm_source=EG%20ED%20Analog%20%26%20Power%20Source&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS210930007&o_eid=7211D2691390C9R&rdx.ident%5Bpull%5D=omeda%7C7211D2691390C9R&oly_enc_id=7211D2691390C9R
Tomi Engdahl says:
Verification and validation bring the design of future cars to the present day
https://resources.sw.siemens.com/en-US/white-paper-verification-and-validation-bring-the-design-of-future-cars-to-the-present?mid=15254983&PC=L&c=2021_10_07_veloce_verif_future_car_design
Tomi Engdahl says:
Cree Strikes Deal with GM for Silicon Carbide Chips, Changes Name
Oct. 6, 2021
https://www.electronicdesign.com/power-management/article/21177312/electronic-design-cree-strikes-deal-with-gm-for-silicon-carbide-chips-changes-name?utm_source=EG%20ED%20Analog%20%26%20Power%20Source&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS210930010&o_eid=7211D2691390C9R&rdx.ident%5Bpull%5D=omeda%7C7211D2691390C9R&oly_enc_id=7211D2691390C9R
Cree said that it has officially changed its name to Wolfspeed to underscore its transformation into a power semiconductor maker. The GM deal is a high-profile win for the company as the auto industry’s electric vehicle ambitions shift into high gear.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Lisää tehoa lidariin
https://etn.fi/index.php/13-news/12671-lisaeae-tehoa-lidariin
Lidar eli valotutka on keskeinen osa tulevien robottiautojen laitteistoa, mutta tekniikkaa käytetään myös teollisuuden roboteissa ja yleistyvissä robotti-imureissa. ROHM työstää jo teholtaan 120 watin lidaria. Matkalla kohti tätä tehoa se on nyt esitellyt 75 watin laserdiodin.
RLD90QZW3-piirin avulla sovelluksen etäisyys muista objekteista voidaan mitata tarkasti. Lidarin avulla voidaan teollisuudessa myös paikantaa laitteita.
RLD90QZW3 on 75 W:n teholla 225 mikrometrin levyistä infrapunapulssia ampuva diodi. Tämä on 22 prosenttia kapeampi kuin aiemmin markkinoille tuodut laserit, mikä parantaa säteen ominaisuuksia. Muunnos tapahtuu 21 prosentin hyötysuhteella, mikä pitää virrankulutuksen alhaisena.
RLD90QZW3 (New)
905nm, 75W, 225μm Invisible Pulsed Laser Diode
https://www.rohm.com/products/laser-diodes/high-power-lasers/rld90qzw3-product
Tomi Engdahl says:
Audi CEO sees chip shortage as ‘perfect storm’ but will get through it
https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/audi-ceo-sees-chip-shortage-perfect-storm-will-get-through-it-2021-10-04/
Premium car brand Audi, Volkswagen’s (VOWG_p.DE) biggest profit contributor, has to troubleshoot on a day-to-day basis to tackle an ongoing shortage of auto chips, its chief executive said.
“We had a very strong first half in 2021. We do expect a much weaker second half. We really have trouble,” Markus Duesmann told Reuters ahead of the Reuters Events Automotive conference, calling the situation “a perfect storm”.
Duesmann’s comments highlight the problems global carmakers are facing in navigating a global chip supply crunch that has hit car production around the world.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Tesla hosts festival at Berlin gigafactory to announce start of production by December
https://techcrunch.com/2021/10/10/tesla-hosts-festival-at-berlin-gigafactory-to-announce-start-of-production-by-december/?tpcc=tcplusfacebook
Tomi Engdahl says:
Suomalaista akkumateriaalia ranskalaisautoihin
https://www.uusiteknologia.fi/2021/10/08/suomalaista-akkumateriaalia-ranskalaisautoihin/
Sotkamolainen Terrafame on tehnyt aiesopimuksen Renaultin kanssa sähköautojen akkujen valmistamiseen tarvittavan vähähiilisen ja jäljitettävissä olevan nikkelisulfaatin toimituksista. Akkumateriaalien määrät tulevat vastaamaan vuosittain jopa 15 gigawattitunnin akkutehoa.
Yhteistyö alkaa yritysten aiesopimuksen mukaan kehittämällä vastuullisuusjärjestelmiä sekä määrittelemällä tarkat mittarit, jotka auttavat varmistamaan sähköautojen akkukemikaalien jäljitettävyyden huomattavasti olemassa olevia ratkaisuja paremmin.
Suomi maailman kärkeä litiumioniakuissa
https://etn.fi/index.php/13-news/12677-suomi-maailman-kaerkeae-litiumioniakuissa
Bloomberg-uutistoimiston tutkimusosasto on rankannut maat paremmuusjärjestykseen sen mukaan, missä panostetaan eniten akkutekniikan kehitykseen ja erityisesti litiumioniakkujen tuotantokapasiteettiin. Kiina rankataan maailman ykköseksi, mutta piskuinen Suomi nousee listalla peräti seitsemännelle sijalle.
Kiinassa on nykyään 80 prosenttia kaikesta akkukennojen valmistuskapasiteetista, ja kapasiteetin odotetaan yli kaksinkertaistuvan yli kahteen terawattituntiin seuraavien viiden vuoden aikana. Tämä riittäisi yli 20 miljoonan sähköajoneuvon akkutarpeisiin.
Yhdysvallat nousee tänä vuonna rankingin kakkoseksi heti Kiinan jälkeen. Tesla ja aasialaiset kennovalmistajat tekevät edelleen merkittäviä investointeja maahan
Myös Euroopan maat ovat nousussa, kun sähköautojen myynti kasvaa tasaisesti ja houkuttelee lisää investointeja toimitusketjuun. Pohjoismaat ovat yhä tärkeämpiä Euroopan pyrkimyks. Bloomberg nostaa esiin Suomen, jossa on pian yksi maailman suurimmista nikkelin ja kobolttisulfaatin jalostamoista. Nämä raaka-aineet ovat keskeisiä ainesosia sähköautoissa. Myös akkumateriaalien valmistajat Umicore ja BASF ovat investoineet maahan.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Axial Flux Motors For Electric Vehicles
https://hackaday.com/2021/10/10/axial-flux-motors-for-electric-vehicles/
In the everything old is new again folder, [Lesics] has a good overview of axial flux motors. These are promising for electric vehicles, especially aircraft, since the motors should have high torque to weight ratio. The reason this is actually something old is that the early generators built by Faraday were actually of the axial flux type. Soon, though, radial flux generators and motors became the norm.
The simple explanation is that in a radial system, the magnetic flux lines are perpendicular to the axis of rotation. In the axial system, the flux lines are parallel to the axis of rotation. There’s more to it than just that of course, and the video below has nice animations showing how it all works.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EEVPVNJHjM
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://etn.fi/index.php/13-news/12680-auton-salat-suojaan-turvapiirille
Tomi Engdahl says:
Automate The Freight: Autonomous Ships Look For Their Niche
https://hackaday.com/2021/10/11/automate-the-freight-autonomous-ships-look-for-their-niche/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://etn.fi/index.php/13-news/12687-spotifyn-autosoitin-koodattiin-qt-llae
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2021/10/12/ford-maverick-welcomes-diy-spirit/
Tomi Engdahl says:
WORLD FIRST – Airless Car Tire! Michelin Reinvents The Wheel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ql0Mkr3dwNU
World’s first airless car tyre! Introducing the Michelin UPTIS – a puncture proof tyre designed to reduce wasting perfectly usable tyres that could otherwise be scrapped due to damage.
Tire sidewalls are definitely needed. The reporter was so enamored with the concept he didn’t ask any hard questions:
- What happens to balance if mud or debris gets in those open parts of the wheel
- Does the wheel develop flat spots if it sits for a while – especially in hot weather on asphalt.
- What happens when one of those “spokes” fails? How does that affect the performance? How many have to fail to need a new tire?
- What is the primary reason (so far) for failure? Speed, road conditions, etc.. Need to know that so you can determine if it’s right for you depending on where you live and normal road conditions there.
- What is the maximum weight limit? Are there different sizes for different uses? Cars, SUV’s, light trucks, etc. And do they all perform similarly?
- How long do these normally last? What is the cost/mile compared to conventional tires?
- What are temperature limits for use (cold limits and heat limits) before the tire warps, becomes too stiff or deforms enough to become unsafe?
Tomi Engdahl says:
Uusi flash-kortti tulee autoihin ja IoT-laitteisiin
https://etn.fi/index.php/13-news/12706-uusi-flash-kortti-tulee-autoihin-ja-iot-laitteisiin
Vuoden 2021 alussa Tesla kutsui autojaan takaisin, koska niiden ohjelmistot tallentavat NAND-flashit uhkasivat vanhentua. Parempi, helpompi ja edullisempi ratkaisu olisi ollut toimittaa ohjelmistot uudella muistikortilla. Nyt JEDEC on saanut valmiiksi korttistandardin, joka sopii juuri tähän käyttöön.
Kyse on XFM- ja XFMD-standardista. Se koostuu sekä sulautetusta, piirikortille juotettavasta piiristä (Crossover Flash Memory Embedded) että vaihdettavasta kortista (Removable Memory Device). XFMD-kortin mitat ovat 13 x 18 x 1,4 millimetriä eli kortti on vanhaa SD-korttia pienempi, mutta hieman microSD-korttia suurempi.
Uuden standardin etuna on se, että se hyödyntää PCIe-liitäntää ja NVMe-protokollaa. Näin kortti tukee yleisimpiä väyliä, joissa myös päästään erittäin nopeaan datansiirtoon.
Uusi standardi on ennen kaikkea monikäyttöinen. Se on niin ohut, että voidaan latoa piirikortille UFS-muistien tapaan. Silti kortin sisuksiin sopii NAND-muistia riittävästi useimpiin sovelluksiin.
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://etn.fi/index.php/13-news/12711-akuston-hallintaan-tarkempaa-simulointia
Tomi Engdahl says:
Electric Vehicles, The Gasoline Problem, And Synthetic Fuels
https://hackaday.com/2021/10/18/electric-vehicles-the-gasoline-problem-and-synthetic-fuels-part-1/
When you’re standing at the gas station filling up your car, watching those digits on the pump flip by can be a sobering experience. Fuel prices, especially the price of gasoline, have always been keenly watched, so it’s hard to imagine a time when gasoline was a low-value waste product. But kerosene, sold mainly for lighting, was once king of the petroleum industry, at least before the automobile came along, to the extent that the gasoline produced while refining kerosene was simply dumped into streams to get rid of it.
The modern mind perhaps shudders at the thought of an environmental crime of that magnitude, and we can’t imagine how anyone would think that was a good solution to the problem. And yet we now face much the same problem, as the increasing electrification of the world’s fleet of motor vehicles pushes down gasoline demand. To understand why this is a problem, we’ll start off by taking a look at how crude oil is formed, and how decreasing demand for gasoline may actually cause problems that we should think about before we get too far down the road.
Put a Little Plankton in Your Tank
When you fill the gas tank in your ICE or hybrid vehicle and start the engine, you’re closing a loop on chemical processes that started billions of years ago. The petrochemical fuel that powers most vehicles started as atmospheric carbon dioxide, greedily gobbled up by uncounted trillions of microscopic organisms like plankton, algae, and cyanobacteria via the process of photosynthesis, and locked into their biopolymers — lipids, carbohydrates, proteins, and nucleic acids.
The hydrocarbons that are important in terms of motor fuels and lubricants tend to come from the middle of the thermal maturity range. Diesel, kerosene, and jet fuels tend to come from the C9 to C16 range, with longer carbon chains making up the heavy bunker oil used to fuel marine engines. On the shorter end, the C5 to C8 range hydrocarbons make up the bulk of gasoline, which is a complex blend of many different hydrocarbons, including straight-chain alkanes like hexane and octane, cycloalkanes, and any number of additives like ethers and alcohols, including ethanol.
It’s important to note that any crude oil deposit is going to contain a mix of hydrocarbons. Some will be richer in hydrocarbon chains of one length than another, but in general, each deposit is going to have at least some of every fraction, from methane to bitumen.
And that leads to the essential problem of petroleum extraction. While fuels like diesel and gasoline are highly engineered chemicals, they are not created from crude oil. Rather, they are refined from it. That might seem self-obvious, but it’s an important point. A typical barrel of crude oil contains about 40-50% gasoline (or more precisely, the C5 to C8 fractions that are blended into gasoline), and fully 84% of each barrel contains fuel-grade fractions, when you throw in diesel, kerosene, and bunker oil.
This is the root of the gasoline problem. Right now, electric vehicles make up a tiny fraction of the total fleet — perhaps 3% worldwide. But at some point, through a combination of better engineering, political pressure, improved battery technology, and climate awareness, demand for electric vehicles is going to take off in a serious way. Some estimates peg the percentage of EVs on the road in 2040 at 58%, at least for passenger vehicles. That’s a huge number of vehicles that won’t be stopping by the local gas station to fill up every couple of days, meaning demand for gasoline will necessarily plummet.
But, as we’ve seen, about half of every barrel of crude oil is gasoline. If we suddenly don’t need as much gasoline, the only way we can deal with the decreased demand is to not refine it from crude oil in the first place. That poses a problem if we still need any of the other fractions, which we likely will. Take diesel as an example. A 2019 report estimates that the medium and heavy truck fleet will only be about 4% electric by 2025, and that most of that will be trucks working local and regional delivery routes, mainly because of limitations in battery life. Long-haul trucks, though, will probably not be electrified for quite a while, meaning that crude oil will still have to be distilled to produce diesel to run them.
The same problem applies to airplanes — unless battery technology improves drastically, we’ll still need to get to the kerosene that’s in crude oil. Add in the asphalt needed for road building, the heavy bunker fuel needed to keep cargo ships running, the lubricants needed to run pretty much anything mechanical, and the petroleum distillates that go into fertilizers, pharmaceuticals, and plastics, and you’ve got a situation where everything in a barrel of oil is both useful and needed — except for gasoline, which happens to be the bulk of what’s in there.
And so that’s the problem: roughly half of every barrel of crude oil that we pump out of the ground is made of something that’s destined to be useless, at least in a world dominated by electric vehicles. And that wouldn’t be so bad if the other 50% of each barrel didn’t contain stuff that’s so darn useful; otherwise, we could just leave the oil in the ground and call the problem solved. That may be the eventual solution, once everything that currently burns fuel is converted to some other power source, but in the meantime, we’ll either have to figure out what to do with the waste gasoline, or find a way to get the hydrocarbons we need some other way.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Bloomberg:
Amazon’s Zoox will start testing autonomous cars in Seattle using Toyota Highlander SUVs; Zoox currently tests in Las Vegas, San Francisco, and Foster City, CA
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-10-18/amazon-s-zoox-expands-testing-to-seattle-for-the-rain-and-talent
Tomi Engdahl says:
Tampereella robottiauto tulee osaksi julkista liikennettä
https://www.uusiteknologia.fi/2021/10/19/tampereella-robottiauto-tulee-osaksi-julkista-liikennetta/
Tampereen Hervannassa testataan ensi vuoden alussa kahden kuukauden ajan robottiautoja osana julkista liikennettä. Business Tampereen ja Sensible 4:n pilotin tarkoituksena on tutkia, kuinka robottiautot voivat tulevaisuudessa täydentää Tampereen julkista liikennettä.
Robottiautokokeilu toteutetaan kahdella suomalaisen teknologiayritys Sensible 4:n Toyota Proace -tila-autolla. Niiden ohjelmistoa on testattu useita kertoja Lapin talviolosuhteissa ja ulkomaiden lisäksi esimerkiksi vilkkaassa Helsingin Pasilassa, jossa myös osa reitistä ajettiin raitiovaunun rinnalla.
Turvallisuus on kaikissa autonomisen liikkumisen kokeiluissa ensisijaista. Siksi pilotissa ajoneuvoissa on aina edelleen mukana kaiken varalta turvakuljettaja, joka tarvittaessa voi ottaa haltuunsa ajoneuvon hallinnan. ”Ajoneuvon sensorit ottavat huomioon niin jalankulkijat, pyöräilijät kuin muut ajoneuvot, ja ohjelmisto mahdollistaa ajamisen lumen peittämillä kaistoilla sekä kovassakin lumisateessa”, kertoo Sensible 4:n liiketoimintajohtaja ja perustajajäsen Jussi Suomela.
Robottiautopilotti toteutetaan Hervannassa sijaitsevalla autonomisen liikkumisen testialueella. Tulevaisuudessa testialueella voi tehdä muitakin automaattisen liikkumisen kokeiluja ja palveluita, ja testireittejä suunnitellaan ja kehitetään testaajien tarpeiden ja kiinnostuksen mukaan.
Robobussia testataan Tampereen Hervannassa
https://etn.fi/index.php/13-news/12714-robobussia-testataan-tampereen-hervannassa
Tampereella, tarkemmin Hervannassa alkaa ensi vuoden alussa reilun kahden kuukauden mittainen robottiautojen kokeilu Business Tampereen koordinoimalla testialustalla. Kahdella Sensible 4:n ohjelmistolla varustetulla Toyota ProAcella toteutettava pilotti kuljettaa matkustajia maksutta.
Pilotin tarkoituksena on tutkia, kuinka robottiautot voivat tulevaisuudessa täydentää Tampereen julkista liikennettä. Roboautot kuljettavat matkustajia Hervannan alueella noin 3,5 kilometrin reitillä maksutta. Tampereen kaupunki kehittää kokeilun avulla ratikan syöttöliikennepalveluita.
Robottiautokokeilu toteutetaan kahdella suomalaisen teknologiayritys Sensible 4:n automatisoimalla Toyota Proace -tila-autolla. Yrityksen ohjelmisto on erityinen siitä, että se toimii myös haastavissa sääolosuhteissa. Ohjelmistoa on testattu useita kertoja Lapin talviolosuhteissa ja pilotteja järjestetty ulkomaiden lisäksi esimerkiksi vilkkaassa Helsingin Pasilassa, jossa myös osa reitistä ajettiin raitiovaunun rinnalla.
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.electronicdesign.com/power-management/whitepaper/21178488/electronic-design-this-week-in-powerbites-poe-on-steroids-students-hack-evs?utm_source=EG%20ED%20Analog%20%26%20Power%20Source&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS211004096&o_eid=7211D2691390C9R&rdx.ident%5Bpull%5D=omeda%7C7211D2691390C9R&oly_enc_id=7211D2691390C9R
Tomi Engdahl says:
How to provide the best ESD protection for automotive A/V interfaces
Oct. 4, 2021
Maintaining signal integrity in automotive high-speed video link designs is key.
https://www.electronicdesign.com/sponsored/article/21176915/how-to-provide-the-best-esd-protection-for-automotive-av-interfaces?utm_source=EG%20ED%20Auto%20Electronics&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS211005097&o_eid=7211D2691390C9R&rdx.ident%5Bpull%5D=omeda%7C7211D2691390C9R&oly_enc_id=7211D2691390C9R
Drivers and vehicles now rely more heavily on Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). While the use of systems such as RADAR and LiDAR will be important here, ADAS in vehicles also relies heavily on high-quality video imagery. As vehicles become more autonomous, the quality of these video streams will be more important. From a design aspect, high-speed video link design needs to consider how to maintain the signal integrity needed in such a harsh environment.
Some cars already feature systems that can automatically identify road signs or detect when the car is drifting outside of its own lane. These are features that, at least for now, can only be realized using video sensors inside and around the vehicle itself.
Even though the use and importance of video data is increasing in the automotive sector, there are still no globally recognised standards in place to define how the video data should be shared around a vehicle. It is still left up to the manufacturer to choose their preferred solution. This includes proprietary standards such as APIX, GSML and FPD-Link, which support speeds of 6 Gbit/s, 10 Gbit/s and 13 Gbit/s respectively. In addition, the use of automotive-grade Ethernet with speeds of up to 1 Gbit/s is also increasing.
As the demand for bandwidth and resolution increase, the number of video links used in an average vehicle will also build. Standard definition, which only a short while ago was perfectly good for reversing cameras, will be replaced with high definition, high framerate sensors that support high resolution image capture at high traveling speeds.
Maintaining signal integrity is key
From a design aspect, high-speed video link design needs to consider how to maintain the signal integrity needed in such a harsh environment. Every component added to the video data path will introduce losses, this will influence the choice of coaxial cable used, the quality of the connectors and how the signal is routed to the link’s physical interface (PHY). Maintaining signal integrity is paramount but this needs to be balanced with adding suitable levels of protection against potential ESD pulses and fault conditions, such as a short-circuit to the battery rail. The interface also needs to withstand transient voltages of up to 10kV. The impact of the insertion capacitance associated with the protection devices used must be carefully considered in order to provide protection without impacting signal integrity. More details can be found in this white paper.
What is the best position of the ESD protection?
From technical point of view, the best position for the ESD protection is actually as close to the connector as possible. Here, the ESD device can clamp down the ESD pulse to ground while it is still physically distanced from the circuitry and especially the PHY itself. This is the reason why some of the specifications in the automotive sector, such as those proposed by the Open Alliance Special Interest Group (SIG), now recommend that the ESD protection be closer to the point at which the ESD pulse enters the PCB. The intention is to provide ESD protection based on the system’s needs, rather than one specific component. Figure 2 shows how the position of the ESD device has changed.
Also, because the ESD protection device is now closer to the ‘outside world’ it will be exposed to different threats. This includes a potential fault on the cable that could lead to a short between a signal and a supply rail. In an automotive environment, this means the ESD device needs to be able to withstand a short of at least 12 V across its terminals without failure. If the ESD device were placed behind the CMC and DC blocking capacitors, this requirement is not valid anymore.
Simulations are essential to modern automotive designs
In automotive design, the importance of simulation during a project’s concept phase is becoming essential. Nexperia understands this and supports both the simulation of the ESD event itself and also SI simulation. The evaluation of the ESD protection device can be done using SEED (System Efficient ESD Design) models.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Those Big Bets on Solid-State Batteries—The Payoff is Getting Closer
Oct. 1, 2021
The advantages of solid-state batteries versus lithium-ions to power EVs are clear, but designing the solid electrolyte has proven difficult. However, many companies and institutions are quickly making headway toward solutions.
https://www.electronicdesign.com/markets/automotive/article/21177144/electronic-design-those-big-bets-on-solidstate-batteriesthe-payoff-is-getting-closer?utm_source=EG%20ED%20Auto%20Electronics&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS211004101&o_eid=7211D2691390C9R&rdx.ident%5Bpull%5D=omeda%7C7211D2691390C9R&oly_enc_id=7211D2691390C9R
What you’ll learn:
Benefits and manufacturing challenges with solid-state batteries, versus Li-ion batteries.
Latest advances in solid-state batteries from companies around the world.
Solid-state battery consortium based in the UK.
Automotive companies expect that electric vehicles (EVs) will become mainstream in the years to come, replacing internal-combustion-engine (ICE) vehicles. For this to happen, an EV must have a similar level of mileage as the current ICE vehicles, which means increasing EV battery capacity.
There are two ways to boost capacity. The first is to increase the number of batteries, but then the battery cost per vehicle goes up and batteries would take up too much space in the vehicle. The alternative is to move to a solid-state battery from the current lithium-ion batteries, where during battery charging and discharging, electrically charged particles (or ions) of lithium pass from one electrode to the other through a liquid electrolyte.
Solid-state batteries offer significant potential advantages over conventional lithium-ion batteries. A solid-state battery promises to be lighter, have more energy density (simply put, the higher the density, the higher the power output), recharge faster, and be more stable in extreme temperatures. Materials proposed for use as solid electrolytes in solid-state batteries include ceramics (e.g., oxides, sulfides, phosphates) and solid polymers.
The research organization Yole Développementexpects that solid-state battery commercialization will start around 2025. According to Yole, the solid-state battery market will represent about 2.36 GWh by 2027, followed by accelerated growth.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Upgrading a Car to Android Auto for Cheap Using Just a Screen and Raspberry Pi 4
https://www.hackster.io/news/upgrading-a-car-to-android-auto-for-cheap-using-just-a-screen-and-raspberry-pi-4-5e5608801161
Integrate Android Auto functionality into your old vehicle by simply attaching a Raspberry Pi 4 and accompanying touchscreen.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Autonomous Vehicles: Technology and Trends
June 24, 2021
Life at the sensor edge…the future of mobility…functional-safety design. This article series addresses different facets of autonomous-vehicle technology.
Autonomous Vehicles: Technology and Trends
June 24, 2021
Life at the sensor edge…the future of mobility…functional-safety design. This article series addresses different facets of autonomous-vehicle technology.
https://www.electronicdesign.com/markets/automotive/whitepaper/21135285/autonomous-vehicles-technology-and-trends?utm_source=EG%20ED%20Auto%20Electronics&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS211020016&o_eid=7211D2691390C9R&rdx.ident%5Bpull%5D=omeda%7C7211D2691390C9R&oly_enc_id=7211D2691390C9R