Joachim Mathes, Valeo: "The standardisation of interfaces, the reduction of variants, and the reuse across OEMs are crucial to reduce costs and keep vehicles affordable."Matthias Baumgartner
Joachim Mathes, CTO at Valeo, emphasises the need to transform the automotive industry at the 28th AUTOMOBIL ELEKTRONIK Congress. He calls for the development of sustainable SDVs that will remain relevant in 20 years.
Joachim Mathes, CTO at Valeo, posed a crucial question at the 28th AUTOMOBIL ELEKTRONIK Congress: How do we ensure that cars remain relevant and sustainable in 20 years? Under the theme "Making the Software-defined Vehicle a Sustainable Product," he called for a transformation in the automotive industry.
At the 28th AUTOMOBIL ELEKTRONIK Congress in Ludwigsburg, Joachim Mathes, Chief Technology Officer at Valeo, shared his vision of the future of cars. In his presentation, he emphasized the central role of software-defined vehicles (SDVs) and explained why the automotive industry must think beyond the term "smartphone on wheels." "It's much easier when you do things together," Mathes began, laying the foundation for a discussion that should awaken the industry.
Why is the concept of "smartphone on wheels" problematic?
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Joachim Mathes criticized the frequently used concept of "smartphone on wheels" and explained why this analogy does not do justice to the complexity and significance of modern vehicles. He highlighted that a car is far more than just a technical device that is replaced after a few years. A vehicle contains immense natural resources and is the result of the work of many people. Mathes explained that cars should not be treated like disposable products, as they represent significant material and cultural value. "Many consider a smartphone a disposable product, but a car cannot be simply discarded," he emphasized. A car has a much longer lifespan than a smartphone, and the idea of treating it like a short-lived gadget is not only inaccurate but also dangerous for the industry's sustainability goals.
How long is a modern vehicle actually used?
Mathes illustrated that the lifespan of a car in Europe averages over twelve years and is increasing worldwide. He made this point clear by asking, "Who among you still uses an iPhone 5?" When no one raised their hand, he used this fact to demonstrate that the lifespan of a car is significantly longer than that of a smartphone. However, this longevity also brings challenges, particularly regarding the maintenance and replacement of components that are often not designed for such a long lifespan. Mathes emphasized that the industry must find ways to ensure that cars remain reliable even after many years and do not need to be prematurely disposed of.
What challenges do modularity and standardization in vehicle production bring?
Mathes spoke extensively about the necessity of modularity and standardization in automotive production to extend the lifespan of vehicles and reduce costs. He explained that the current practice of producing vehicles with a wide variety of different configurations is inefficient and leads to high costs. Standardizing hardware and software components would not only simplify production but also make maintenance and part replacement over time easier. This modularity would allow individual components to be replaced or upgraded without having to replace the entire vehicle. This is not only economically sensible but also an important step towards sustainability.
What role do electronics and software play in the car of the future?
According to Mathes, electronics and software will play an increasingly central role in the development and use of vehicles. He emphasized that the growing integration of sensors and computer-assisted systems in vehicles brings new challenges in terms of data processing and wiring. "If you feed all the raw data from all sensors into your powerful central computer, you will not only have a wiring problem but also a connectivity problem," warned Mathes. He advocated for a distributed architecture where data is aggregated and processed in advance before being forwarded to central systems. This approach would not only increase efficiency but also reduce the complexity and cost of wiring.
What does the future of the automotive industry look like?
In conclusion, Joachim Mathes outlined a future where vehicles are more sustainable, durable, and technologically advanced. He emphasized the need to break old conventions in automotive production and explore new ways to meet the growing demands for sustainability and digitalization. Mathes called for vehicle development to be designed so that cars are not only functional and ecologically sensible but also attractive and desirable. "The car as a digital companion that people want to have," he summarized, underscoring that the future of mobility depends not only on technical innovations but also on the ability to develop vehicles that meet the wishes and needs of users.
FAQ: Key Insights from the Lecture
What is the central theme of Joachim Mathes' lecture?
Mathes emphasised the need for a realignment of the automotive industry towards software-defined vehicles and sustainable production.
Why is the "smartphone on wheels" concept problematic?
This concept underestimates the complexity and longevity of modern vehicles, which far exceed those of a smartphone.
How long are vehicles used on average?
The lifespan of vehicles in Europe averages over twelve years, and this trend is increasing worldwide.
What are the challenges of modularity in vehicle production?
Modularity requires standardisation but also brings economic challenges, as traditional business models need to be rethought.
What is Mathes' vision for the future of the automotive industry?
Mathes sees the future as a combination of sustainability and innovation, where the car is not only environmentally friendly but also attractive and desirable.
