Impact of Mega Trends and the Electronic Content in Vehicles: Technology Leadership Brief 2012-01-9025

With increasing urbanization, there is a heightened demand for smarter mobility solutions. This implies not only greener mobility, but also state-of-the-art commuting solutions. While “electric” is the buzzword for mobility in the current decade, soon it will be as common as any other mode of transport. Moreover, conventional cars have increased their electronic content both for human-machine interface (HMI) and also within each of the traditional systems such as engine management, steering, suspension, braking and safety systems. As technological paradigm shifts keep changing the way cars are defined, they will redefine the mobility concept in itself at a panoramic level. Recent emergence of carsharing, (as opposed to earlier concepts of carpooling), increased consumer demand to stay connected to the internet and multimedia during transport, a more sophisticated way of controlling vehicular applications, and ensuring a safe commuting experience are all key trends growing in mobility today. On the regulatory side, governmental focus on reducing emissions and fatalities in a smarter, greener society entwines itself into contemporary technological innovations - for both the car manufacturer and the mobility integrator.