The Hindu Business Line : Auto electronics driving up business, jobs all over

AN estimated 60 million trucks and cars roll out of assembly lines all over the world every year. An increasing number (30 per cent, and growing) is leaving key functions to electronics, offering enormous business and employment opportunities.

India, for instance, accounts for over 14 lakh new vehicles annually that should translate into opportunities galore for the electronics and IT sectors covering the gamut of sensors, microprocessors, actuators, embedded systems and software. Ancillary industries too have great scope in this context.

The `happening' world of automotive electronics has this and more to offer, according to Mr N.T. Nair, former chairman, Kerala State Centre of the Institution of Engineers. He was making a presentation to an invited audience here.

Dwelling on the new technology initiatives, he mentioned about AUTOSAR (Automotive Open System Architecture) being pioneered by a network of auto majors ranging from BMW, Mercedes, Ford, Toyota, DaimlerChrysler to GM, software and technology houses, tool makers and semiconductor companies.

The important aim of this initiative is to establish a common software infrastructure standard for vehicle electronics. The in-vehicle software is being designed to be independent of hardware. Basic software modules will be standardised to ensure interoperability, reuse and exchange.

This is expected to create a more competitive environment and drive down costs. Infosys Technologies has become the first Indian company to join the AUTOSAR development partnership.

Another notable programme of this nature is the Motor Industry Software Reliability Association or MISRA, a consortium of major car manufacturers in the United Kingdom. There is also MISRA-C, a C-language programming standard defined by MISRA that incorporates a set of rules to improve the safety of programmes and written in C.

Automobile application is considered mission-critical in aviation, medical electronics, defence and railways. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is working on this area with their ASSENT MISRA-C programme.

The 100-year-old automobile industry employs millions of people and is responsible for almost half of world's oil consumption. It also accounts for half of natural rubber, 25 per cent of glass and 15 per cent of steel produced annually the world over. It has risen to commanding heights in rich countries where it is estimated to variously contribute up to 10 per cent of the GDP.

The Economic Survey (February 2005) published by the Government of India stated that the country's auto industry had crossed the Rs 1,00,000-cr turnover figure in 2003-04. Tamil Nadu accounts for 25 per cent of the country's automobile output, making the State still richer by virtue of associated economic activity.

Smart gear for assured safety

The following are some of the emerging technologies with the potential of enabling a car driver shift easy gears to enjoy the pleasures of an engrossing computer game.

Intelligent tyres: Tyre pressure is very crucial for safety. Sensors attached to wheel rims measure type pressure and temperature and send radio messages to a receiver on dashboard. An alarm will be set off in case pressure is low or temperature is high.

Seat monitor: A sensor on the seat calibrates the driver's posture, pulse and breathing. The aim is to assess fatigue and stress levels.

Face lab: Consists of a stereoscopic video camera and a laptop that converts the image of the driver's face to a 3-D computer model. It tracks the iris and pupil movement, detects drooping eyelids and alerts him.

Drive-by-wire: Features an old steering wheel and pedals, but is linked to computer chips that in turn control functions such as turning the wheel or applying brakes.

These systems are programmed to detect chances of imminent collisions, take over controls and whisk the car out of harm's way.

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