Category Archives: software defined vehicles

Tech-Aches – Vehicle Owners Overwhelmed by New Gizmos

Vehicle owners are overwhelmed with technology features that don’t solve a problem, don’t work, are difficult to use or are just too limited in functionality. The results of the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Tech Experience Index* (TXI) StudySM released today shows that. The study, which focuses on the user experience with advanced vehicle technologies as they come to market, finds that while owners offer praise for some advanced features, others are found to be lackluster. Continue reading

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GM Recalls Cadillac LYRIQ AWD EVs

According to documents made public this morning in the required safety recall information filing, “In rare circumstances, during certain braking events on dry surfaces at speeds below 25 mph, the vehicle may exhibit overly sensitive anti-lock braking system (ABS) control. In these conditions, if ABS falsely activates and a specific sequence of wheel movements occurs, the vehicle’s ABS system will continue to release the braking pressure in the vehicle’s service brake system. A release of braking pressure can cause the service brakes to have reduced stopping performance or become inoperative, increasing the risk of a crash.” GM said it is not aware of any injuries or fatalities associated with this condition. Continue reading

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IIHS On Intelligent Speed Assistance

“ISA systems have been around for several decades. Using GPS devices with speed limit maps, onboard sensors or cameras that “read” signs or both, they can identify the speed limit in the vehicle’s location and detect when the driver exceeds it, but they vary in their response. Unlike the unit I used, which worked by restricting the engine’s output, some systems only provide an audible or visual warning or make the accelerator harder to press. As of July 1, new vehicles sold in Europe are required to have ISA that at least provides a warning, and the California legislature is currently considering a similar mandate for vehicles sold in the state.

“Even without a legal requirement, ISA systems of various types are starting to appear as options on new vehicles in the U.S., and companies such as MAGTEC and Sturdy sell aftermarket ISA systems, primarily targeting fleet operators. Navigation apps also include speed warnings if the user chooses. Continue reading

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Nissan Recalling More 2023 Ariya EV models for Power Loss

Nissan North America is recalling  more 2023 Ariya hybrid EV models because the inverter software may misdiagnose an error, which can shut down the EV system, resulting in a loss of drive power, according to documents made public this morning by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

“All of these Ariya have been previously recalled under Recall 23V-657 (Nissan Ariya Inverter). Nissan Ariya vehicles that have received the reprogramming remedy for Recall 23V-657 no longer contain the issue and are not included in this recall,” Nissan claimed in the required NHTSA filing. Continue reading

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FAA Okays Automated Commercial Drone Flights

The FAA said today that it has authorized commercial drone flights without visual observers in the same Dallas-area airspace. In a first for U.S. aviation, Zipline International and Wing Aviation can now deliver packages while it’s claimed that  their drones safely separated  from other air traffic using so called Unmanned Aircraft System Traffic Management (UTM) technology.

Previously, when operating drones, the drone pilot must be able to always see the unmanned aircraft. However, what the FAA claims are new advancements in air traffic technology and procedures are making these “Beyond Visual Line of Sight” (BVLOS) flights routine. Considerable lobbying pressure no doubt is in play. The FAA budget was threatened by Republicans last year in latest fiscal year fiasco. The current budget expires on 30 September, so fasten your safety belt, this is going to be a stormy flight. Continue reading

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Biden Administration – $1.6B in Semiconductor Manufacturing

The US Department of Commerce today published a Notice of Intent (NOI) to open a competition for new research and development (R&D) activities that it said will establish and accelerate domestic capacity for semiconductor advanced packaging. The CHIPS for America program predicts that up to $1.6 billion in funding will go to five R&D areas. These were first outlined in the vision for the National Advanced Packaging Manufacturing Program (NAPMP). Through potential cooperative agreements, CHIPS for America would make several awards of ~$150 million federal funding per award in each research area. Continue reading

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EVs, PHEVs Worse Than Gas Vehicles On Power 2024 IQS

“Proponents of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) often state these vehicles should be less problematic and require fewer repairs than gas-powered vehicles since they have fewer parts and systems. However, newly incorporated repair data shows BEVs, as well as plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), require more repairs than gas-powered vehicles in all repair categories. “Owners of cutting edge, tech-filled BEVs and PHEVs are experiencing problems that are of a severity level high enough for them to take their new vehicle to the dealership at a rate three times higher than that of gas-powered vehicle owners,” Hanley said. Continue reading

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Chinese Trade Wars – Exports Growing, Prices Dropping

Two very real problems are increasing for non-Chinese global automakers. First, is the penetration rate. This is the market share of the vehicles that are the future of the companies that will survive what is an historic reshaping of a global industry. Here, so-called New Electric Vehicles – [NEVs – battery electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids and range-extended electric vehicles combined] that have been heavy promoted, subsidized and pushed forward by the Chinese government are now accounting a 43% share in April, an historic high. The economies of scale are enormous and a clear Chinese competitive advantage. Continue reading

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Michigan Central Station Reopening June 6th

“Michigan Central means a great deal to us all. In many ways, this building tells the story of our city. This Station was our Ellis Island – a place where dreamers in search of new jobs and new opportunities first set foot in Detroit. But once the last train pulled out, it became a place where hope left. In 2018, I decided it was time to change that by re-imagining this station as a place of possibility again. Over the past six years, Ford Motor Company and teams of forward thinkers, designers, community leaders, and more than 3000 skilled tradespeople have worked to bring this landmark back to life,” said Ford Executive Chair Bill Ford. Continue reading

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GM Changing Software and Services Organization

“GM’s journey toward a tech-forward future is clearer than ever, thanks to the exceptional talent within our team and the leadership of Baris and Dave,” said GM Chair and CEO Mary Barra. “They bring energy and vision, combined with extensive technical and management experience, that will continue to strengthen our software engineering and product teams. These elevated roles will ensure continuity, speed, and quality as software becomes even more central to the vehicle.” Continue reading

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OPTIQ EV- Cadillac Introduces an Entry Level Compact SUV

Cadillac today revealed the new 2025 OPTIQ, an entry-level Cadillac luxury EV. OPTIQ is the least-expensive EV in lineup. This is Cadillac’s fourth EV, positioned below the barely-selling LYRIQ mid-size crossover, with a base price of ~$59,000. This fall OPTIQ joins the expensive ~$300,000+ CELESTIC sedan and the Escalade SUV (~ $130,000). Next year, the VISTIQ appears in showrooms. OPTIQ pricing starts at an estimated $54,000 for the Luxury trim, Sport will be more  expensive [footnote 10],* including destination charges, excluding tax, title, license, and dealer fees. Obvious competitors include Tesla Model Y, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Mercedes-EQ EQB, and Lexus RZ. Continue reading

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First Level 4 Autonomous Fuel Cell EV Truck Demonstrated

Hyundai Motor Company and an autonomous driving software firm called Plus* today unveiled what’s claimed to be the first SAE Level 4 autonomous Class 8 hydrogen fuel cell electric truck in the U.S. at the Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo, at the Las Vegas Convention Center. A Hyundai XCIENT Fuel Cell truck, equipped with Plus SuperDrive™ Level 4 (SAE) autonomous driving technology, is on display at the Plus ACT Expo booth (#2044).

Ultimately, software driven vehicles can replace drivers completely so further developments put global truck makers and their customers on a collision course with driver’s unions. Continue reading

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EVs – Honda to Invest ~$65 Billion Through 2030

Honda Motor company Global CEO Toshihiro Mibe said today that it will invest ¥10 Trillion (~$65 billion) through 2030 on its electrification strategy as part of a vast reorganization or re-prioritization of its corporate strategy. Through the establishment of a vertically-integrated EV value chain with a central focus on batteries, as of 2030, Honda will reduce the cost of the battery to be procured in North America by more than 20% compared to the cost of current batteries. Honda promised it will establish a competitive business structure with an aim to reduce overall production cost by approximately 35%. Honda already has secured enough batteries for the planned production of approximately 2 million EVs per year. Continue reading

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Honda and IBM MoU on Software-Defined Vehicles

“The MOU outlines areas of potential joint research of specialized semiconductor technologies such as brain-inspired computing *[2 ] and chiplet technologies, with the aim to dramatically improve processing performance while, simultaneously, decreasing power consumption. Hardware and software co-optimization is important to ensure high performance and fast time to market. To achieve such benefits and manage design complexity for future SDVs, the two companies also plan to explore open and flexible software solutions,” Honda said in a release from Tokyo. Continue reading

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NHTSA Makes Automatic Emergency Braking Mandatory

“The new vehicle safety standards we finalized today will save hundreds of lives and prevent tens of thousands of injuries every year,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is not only making historic investments in transportation, but it’s also ushering in a new era of safer travel by ensuring new cars and light trucks are equipped with automatic emergency braking, making our roads safer for drivers and pedestrians alike.” Continue reading

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