Joint focus on automotive and transport ICT
SP Technical Research Institute of Sweden, Chalmers and Swedish ICT have started a joint programme for development of information and communication technology (ICT) for automotive and transport applications. The programme consists of R&D projects in several areas that are important for the Swedish automotive and transport industry. Initially, the work will concentrate on automotive and transport information technology, internal and external vehicle communication, vehicle electronics and technology for hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles. Radar that warns of dangerous situations, intelligent cruise control systems, GPS navigation and systems that automatically call for help in the event of an accident are just some concrete examples of the increasingly sophisticated electronic systems used in present-day vehicles. Development continues at a rapid rate.
– Environmental impact, fuel saving, safety and availability are important areas that the automotive industry must address, and where ICT plays a key part. The joint programme strengthens our concentration on automotive and transport ICT, says Hans Hentzell, Managing Director of Swedish ICT.
External services
An important aspect is how the automotive manufacturers should respond to the increasing number of external services, such as mobile telephony, MP3 players and GPS receivers, that affect or are used by vehicle drivers and passengers. The manufacturers must be able to integrate these and future mobile consumer products into their vehicles, while recognising that such equipment has much shorter lives than that of the vehicle. One major problem area is that of the interfaces. These are some of the challenges jointly faced by SP, Chalmers and Swedish ICT.
– Sweden's situation is unique, with internationally competitive automotive and telecommunications industries carrying out much of their development in the country. Working together, we can develop solutions that will help us to maintain that position, says Karin Markides, vice-chancellor of Chalmers.
For SP, the agreement represents an important step on the way to becoming a more important supplier of equipment and services to the automotive and telecommunications industry.
– With this new programme, we can further extend our cooperation with a priority sector, says SP's Managing Director, Maria Khorsand.
For further information
Peter Leisner, head of SP's Electronics and ICT Department, tel. +46 10-516 54 45, +46 70-873 24 54, peter.leisner@sp.se