Hyundai’s “Roadmap for Connected Car Development”

It’s no longer a secret that the classic vehicle is bound to be a thing of the past. And pretty soon, too. Connected car technology is taking over, and automotive manufacturers are seizing this opportunity.

Almost every investment is placed strategically. So, it’s become the norm that R&D (Research and Development) resources are directed towards the IT sector.

With this in mind, in April 2016, Hyundai launched a “roadmap for connected car development” – as they called it.

Or, in other words, a set of new technologies to revolutionize the way how drivers link their vehicles to real-life situations.

A Brief Overview of Hyundai’s Roadmap

The “Hyper-Connected and Intelligent Car” is designed to become a high-functioning computer on wheels. It is connected to other cars, offices, and homes. And the city, primarily.

The focus will be on:

  • Smart remote maintenance services
  • Autonomous driving and in-vehicle networking
  • Smart Traffic
  • Mobility Hub

What they have in mind is a hyperconnected car concept.

 

Emphasis will be on the set of “smart remote maintenance services”. That means that tech issues can be solved remotely before becoming problematic.

The high-performance mobility hub will ensure there will be enhanced interaction with other vehicles. The Autonomous Driving feature will reduce congestion by linking cars to the infrastructure.

Smart Home Services and smartphone developments will also be tackled, so as to be perfectly optimized for the concept.

What Is Cloud Connectivity Development on Hyundai’s Roadmap?

Hyundai’s roadmap is relying on the development of cloud connectivity.

It’s easy to see why every automotive provider should bet on this industry. By 2020, it is predicted that roughly 250 million connected vehicles will be seen on the roads all over the world.

Cisco purchased Jasper Technologies (the cloud-based Internet of Things platform developer), for $1.4 billion. If you want to be ahead in the game, this is the route to take. And Hyundai is on the right path.

For now, the strategic issues with cloud connectivity are:

  • Function distribution
  • Making sure the connection to the cloud is maintained even in weak signal areas.

Hyundai needs to develop reliable operating processes. After all, a car isn’t a smartphone.

Solutions like OTA (over-the-air software) could be implemented for constant updates or bug fixes along the way. That’s very likely if you consider the growing demand for across-the -board connectivity.

What about Connected Car Security?

Closely linked to cloud connectivity are the security concerns revolving around this emerging trend.

With a mobile device, a security breach isn’t a disaster in most cases. But if your car is targeted by cyber criminals, that involves losing control over your life. 

Cyber safety is no child’s play, and it is still an area where it is expected that developers will make significant progress.

That is why Hyundai focuses on connected car security with this roadmap. Vulnerable areas to be covered are:

  • Secured hardware at the chip level
  • Isolation and sandboxing capacities
  • The in-vehicle system

An Ongoing Issue: In-Vehicle Networking

As the name suggests, the components of the vehicle are relying on specific software. It’s not a groundbreaking technology, but it needs improvement – something that Hyundai is bound to handle with their roadmap.

Once big automakers get more involved, wires will be reduced to a minimum. So will be the case with production costs on a system level. The wiring harness is diminished, which will contribute to weight reduction.

As a result, serviceability and reliability will be considerably enhanced.

Plus, there are software developments that can always be operated without being costly. A significant advantage of improved IVN (in-vehicle networking) is the collective sensor data system. Basically, there will be no need for multiple sensors.

Overall, software flexibility is the best feature in-vehicle networking will add to the existing set. That is why partnerships with top IT names in the industry are crucial for the success of Hyundai’ roadmap.

As you’ve seen throughout the article, it seems the IoT (Internet of Things) is what will further Hyundai’s prospects on the market. 

They are on the right track in what concerns innovation. It remains to be seen, however, how the roadmap will address the connected car concerns.

If you have any thoughts about this development, feel free to comment in the section below. 

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Philipp Kandal