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Exploring Future Mobility: Insights and Innovations from Industry Leaders

  • 8 October, 2024
  • 11 Mins

Highlights

  • Commercial EV adoption in India still faces a lot of challenges and there is a need for transparency in lifecycle costs and proposes solutions.
  • Cybersecurity in the automotive sector is at an all-time high now and demands strong cyber hygiene practices and standardization.
  • Emerging technologies such as C-V2X, and advancements in ADAS are transforming mobility.

Binary Semantics’ IoT and Telematics SBU, FleetRobo, proudly participated in the Future Mobility Summit held in New Delhi on 20th September 2024. The event brought together key industry stakeholders, thought leaders, and innovators to discuss the latest advancements and challenges in mobility, technology, and sustainability.

During the Future Mobility Summit, industry leaders engaged in thought-provoking panel discussions, focusing on cutting-edge solutions shaping the future of transportation, including autonomous driving, connected vehicles, and advancements in telematics and IoT. This blog post provides a comprehensive summary of the summit, highlighting the crucial insights and perspectives shared by experts.

Navigating the Challenges of Commercial EV Adoption in India’s Future Mobility

On paper, the commercial adoption of EVs may appear to cost 30-40% more, but the return on investment (ROI) can be achieved within six months, as diesel expenses are entirely eliminated. However, this is easier said than done.

S K Patra, Advisor at the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC), highlighted why commercial EV adoption remains a distant goal for the future of mobility.

The Hidden Costs of Commercial EVs: Batteries, Charging, and Expertise

  1. Batteries Technical Challenges: The issues such as range anxiety and cost, remain significant. Battery replacement is particularly costly, and in commercial applications, the battery may need to be replaced 2-3 times over the vehicle’s operational lifetime.
  2. Charging related issues: Commercial operations have following challenges related to charging
    • Dead Kilometers: Commercial vehicles often need to travel to charging stations that are far from their loading and unloading points. For example, electric buses operating in Delhi NCR may need to travel an additional 40 kilometers to reach a charging station and return, leading to significant wasted running costs.
    • Establishing Charging Ecosystem: Setting up a charging infrastructure for commercial EVs is expensive in India. For instance, establishing a full commercial connection with DISCOMs can cost nearly a crore, adding to the post-purchase expenses of operating electric vehicles.
  3. Technical Skills: EVs rely heavily on advanced technology, but there is currently a shortage of skilled professionals capable of repairing and maintaining commercial electric vehicles. Nearly 90% of technicians lack the necessary knowledge about battery operation and its technical nuances. Maintaining EVs often requires expertise similar to that of railway engineering.
  4. The weight of battery: The battery in large commercial vehicles can weigh 2-3 tonnes, significantly impacting the vehicle’s range. As the vehicle is loaded or pushed to its limits, the range decreases, creating a challenge for long-distance operations.

A Strategic Roadmap to Tackle EV Commercialization in India

S K Patra also proposed the following solutions to address India’s EV commercialization challenges for the future of mobility.

Lifecycle Operation Costs Transparency

Government and industry must collaborate to ensure that customers are fully informed about the entire lifecycle cost of owning an EV before purchasing. This includes not only the cost of the vehicle itself but also the expenses for establishing and maintaining charging infrastructure, ongoing maintenance, and battery replacement over the years.

Implementing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for Batteries

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) norms should be enforced for EV batteries to ensure proper disposal and management at the end of their lifecycle. This will help create a sustainable solution for handling battery waste.

Establishing Indian EV Standards

Currently, there is no standardized EV manufacturing process in India, with many vehicles assembled using imported parts that follow the standards of various countries. This can result in a vehicle incorporating Chinese, U.S., or European standards, which is unsustainable for India’s growing EV market. India must define its own automotive standards to support the increasing demand for EVs in India’s future mobility.

Building an Integrated Vehicle Manufacturing Platform

India needs to transition from assembling electric vehicles to manufacturing them domestically. Establishing integrated vehicle manufacturing platforms will be crucial to remain competitive globally, especially against dominant players like China. Government and automakers must collaborate to develop a strategic plan for facilitating future mobility transition.

Strengthening Automotive Cybersecurity: Strategies for a Safer Future Mobility

In a session titled “Building Trust in Connected Mobility: Transparency and Accountability in Cybersecurity,” the panel addressed cybersecurity challenges in the automotive sector. The panelists emphasized the gravity of the issue by citing two significant examples: one from the U.S., where a Chrysler vehicle was hacked, and another from India, where an OLA scooter was hacked and its motor to revv in sync like a music.

shielding connected videos

Cybersecurity Concerns in India’s Automotive Sector

Several challenges in cybersecurity related to the automotive sector were highlighted by the experts, including:

India – not a process driven industry

The panel noted that the European and Southeast Asian OEM markets are guided by well-defined processes, while the Indian landscape remains largely certificate-driven, lacking a clear associated process in future mobility.

The automotive industry is now placing greater emphasis on obtaining ISO 24089, a non-mandatory certification that represents the latest standards for automotive software update engineering, as well as ISO 21434, an international standard that establishes a security lifecycle for the automotive environment.

Another panelist highlighted the importance of adhering to ISO 26262, an international functional safety standard for developing electrical and electronic systems in road vehicles by OEMs.

Absent of regulations in India

The panel also discussed UNECE (United Nations Economic Commission for Europe) R155 and R156 regulations, which set cybersecurity and software update requirements to enhance the safety and security of automotive systems. The panel notably remarked the similar regulation is absent in India.

Managing Complexity is nightmare

Sanyam Agarwal, Principal Security Researcher at FEV, noted that the complexity of vehicles and their software is increasing rapidly. He highlighted two critical issues arising from this trend.

  1. This creates an interactive complexity between the large number of components operating in the vehicle.
  2. Chain Reactions: The systems are becoming tightly interconnected, meaning that even a minor change in one component can trigger a chain reaction affecting both the software and hardware, potentially leading to vehicle malfunctions.

Building Usable and Secure Vehicles in the Digital Age

The panel proposed a comprehensive set of reforms to bolster vehicle cybersecurity and protect against emerging digital threats of India’s future mobility. These recommendations included:

Building Vehicles with Cyber Hygiene

Establishing strong cyber hygiene from the ground up is essential for developing robust vehicles today. The forthcoming AIS 189 and AIS 190 standards in India may compel manufacturers to incorporate cybersecurity and management systems into their vehicle programs from the very beginning.

Boosting Trust Through Bug Bounties

Indian automotive manufacturers should adopt global best practices, such as Tesla and Toyota’s Bug Bounty programs, to identify software bugs. Implementing such initiatives can help build greater public trust in the manufacturers.

Shifting Consumer Awareness and Mindsets

Satish Sundaresan, Country Manager, Elektrobit said that there is also a change in consumer mindset is required in terms of maintenance. The consumer should accept the fact that paying more money is not only to replace the hardware in the vehicle but also to make the system more robust in the coming years.

For instance, much like upgrading a mobile phone, after 3 or 4 years, consumers should be prepared to update their ECU, microcontroller, and other critical software systems within the vehicle.

Resolving Automotive Software Ownership

The automotive industry is currently facing an identity crisis over who should take responsibility for vehicle software management. The panel reached a clear consensus:

OEMs should be accountable for the development, deployment, and upgrades of software in vehicles.

As the central point of contact, OEMs are well-positioned to bridge the gap between consumers, vendors, integrators, and software developers, ensuring seamless coordination and responsibility across all stakeholders.

From ADAS to E-Commerce: Emerging Use Cases in Vehicle Intelligence

In another session of Future Mobility Summit 2024 titled “The Evolution of Vehicle Intelligence: Integrating Smart Hardware and Software for Connected Autonomous Driving,” the panel explored upcoming technological advancements in vehicles and the growing consumer demand driving these developments.

Connected automotive innovations the future of Mobility

Connected Technologies Transforming Mobility

Yogesh Umbarkar, Vice President of Mobility at Valtech Mobility, stated that integrated ecosystem technologies are currently being developed. This includes creating a connected ecosystem within the vehicle, featuring functions like charging and payment, all managed directly from the vehicle.

This will enhance the in-vehicle experience significantly. For example, users will be able to order goods through e-commerce platforms or request food via apps like Zomato directly from their vehicles.

C-V2X: A Future of Safer, Smarter Transport

The panel highlighted the emerging Cellular-Vehicle-to-Everything (CV2X) platform and its potential to transform commercial vehicle applications over the next five years of future mobility. C-V2X technology enhances safety through low-latency communication that reduces crashes and saves lives.

The system improves traffic efficiency by enabling information sharing with smart transportation systems, while also promoting sustainability by helping vehicles avoid unnecessary braking, which lowers fuel consumption and mitigates congestion. Additionally, cloud-based systems can facilitate active traffic and demand management, further increasing operational efficiency.

Evolving Technologies for Modern Use Cases

Saumya Bhattacharya, General Manager at Rosmerta Technologies Limited, added that modern technology is evolving alongside other innovations to generate numerous new use cases in the future of mobility.

For example, one notable case is the development of women and child safety solutions integrated with ADAS and telematics systems. Similarly, the development of Smart Pedestrian Crossing is another significant example.

He noted that on the commercial side, new use cases such as e-commerce and last-mile delivery applications are becoming more integrated, resulting in a reliable and assured delivery method.

Yogesh added that this evolution creates inherent opportunities for OEMs and commercial applications. For example,

  • Data modernization and monetization are now possible through the collection of vehicle data via telematics and other platforms. Another panelist pointed out that, considering the widespread generation of data from vehicles the user should have the opt-in or opt-out policy for data capture within the vehicle as well.
  • OEMs can utilize virtual tools and digital twins to analyze vehicle performance over time without stressing physical components.
    By harnessing the power of the world’s most advanced mathematical engine for the development of Digital Twins, Binary Semantics can optimize workflows, lower costs, and attain exceptional accuracy.
  • Fleet operators and OEMs can now implement predictive maintenance and analytics for both internal combustion engines and electric vehicles, including the creation of battery passports.
    Binary’s partnered solutions empower the automotive industry to conduct predictive analytics and maintenance while offering extensive business intelligence solutions.
  • Given the extensive adoption of video telematics, commercial operations can benefit significantly from video analytics features. This represents a key use case for telematics solutions when combined with data analysis.

Read more: Digital Twins: The Present and Future of Design Engineering

Insurance Transformation

Bijoy Chatterjee, Head of Digital Transformation at Škoda Auto Volkswagen India, emphasized the need for India to develop its own technology applications. Currently, ADAS and video telematics facilitate Pay-as-you-drive insurance, where premiums are based on distance traveled.

However, the industry is also progressing towards Pay-how-you-drive systems, which calculate premiums based on driving safety. In this context, Binary Semantics, through its insurtech SBU VISoF, provides solutions that can implement both Pay-as-you-drive and Pay-how-you-drive systems.

Must Read: Usage-Based Insurance (UBI) for Vehicles: Smarter Driving, Lower Premiums

Future Developments

Sai Manoj, Connectivity Product Architect at KPIT, remarked that 5G technology and its network slicing capabilities are enabling advanced industry use cases in the future of mobility. As a result, the focus now needs to shift toward commercial applications, technology maturity, and affordability.

Collaborative Innovation: MSH’s Strategic Partnerships and Initiatives

In the Lead Talk in Future Mobility Summit, Utkarsh Mathur, Senior Manager at Meity Startup Hub (MSH) within the Ministry of Electronics & IT, delivered a presentation on “Navigating the Digital Highway: Integrating Telematics into Connected Mobility Solutions.”

Technology Incubation and Development of Entrepreneurs (TIDE 2.0)

TIDE 2.0 aims to foster tech entrepreneurship by providing financial and technical support to incubators that assist ICT startups utilizing emerging technologies like IoT, AI, blockchain, and robotics in key areas of societal relevance.

Gen-Next Support for Innovative Startups (GENESIS)

MeitY’s GENESIS scheme allocates ₹490 crores over five years to support and accelerate startups in smaller cities. It fosters collaboration among startups, government, and corporates to promote inclusive and affordable digitization, boosting employment and economic growth.

Startup Accelerator of MeitY for Product Innovation, Development, and Growth (SAMRIDH)

The SAMRIDH program, addressing the need for an accelerator program that drives social impact and scales solutions for India’s challenges. The program aims to support 300 tech Start-Ups in 3-year duration with cohort size of 5-10 Start-Ups.

He also discussed MSH’s collaborations with Google, Dell Technologies, Samsung, and others, emphasizing the focus on innovation in the Future Mobility Summit.

Navigating Moral Challenges in Self-Driving Technology

In another panel discussion on “Next-Gen Transportation: Integrating Telematics, Connected, Autonomous, and Electric Vehicles,” the focus of Future Mobility Summit was on the broader applications of telematics solutions. Sanjay Gupta, Chief Development Officer and Global Head of Engineering at L&T Semiconductor Technologies, highlighted significant ethical challenges posed by autonomous vehicles in future mobility.

He illustrated a scenario where a driver facing brake failure must choose between hitting a child, an elderly person, a cow or a wall. In such a case, the driver might sacrifice personal safety by crashing into a wall. However, an autonomous system cannot make such moral decisions, raising critical questions of accountability. Who should be held responsible—OEMs, system designers, vehicle owners, or technology developers?

Evolving Mobility: Key Trends and the Semiconductor Landscape

Emerging Trends in Mobility

In response to a question about semiconductor innovations and the development of autonomous systems in future mobility, Sanjay Gupta noted that the automobile sector is entering a cell phone-like era in mobility.

He identified three emerging trends: Autonomy, Electrification, and Connectivity. Technologies such as sound-based sensors, cameras, LIDAR, and RADAR systems are extensively used in vehicle operations. Data collected from these systems enables algorithms to train vehicles similarly to how the human brain learns. This process follows a three-step approach: sensing, thinking, and acting.

Semiconductor Industry Trends

On the question of semiconductor industry landscape in India and around the world Sanjay Gupta commented, that the global semiconductor industry is currently valued at approximately $500 billion and is projected to grow into a trillion-dollar economy by 2035.

Manufacturing Challenges and Global Impact

While India contributes nearly a quarter of the world’s semiconductor designers, its manufacturing capability is almost nonexistent, highlighting a concerning situation that cannot be overlooked.

Around 80% of the semiconductor is manufactured in China. That also shouldn’t be considered lightly in terms of how the semiconductor shortage has impacted automotive manufacturing while during COVID and in the recent to Russia-Ukraine war.

Call for Government Action

To overcome that he demanded robust semiconductor policy from the government along with an act in line of the US’s CHIPS (Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) and Science Act) Act to stimulate domestic semiconductor manufacturing and research.

Conclusion

As a global technology company focused on digital transformation, AI, IoT, data solutions, Insurtech, Taxtech, and productized services, Binary Semantics aligns with industry experts. To make the vision of the great minds on future mobility a reality Binary has joined hands with 2500+ clients and providing transformative solutions with its 38 years of experience.

Connect Now with us to join the revolution on future mobility.


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