Bosch foresees a shift towards software-defined vehicles in India

Bosch

Bosch Global Software Technologies (BGSW), a subsidiary of Robert Bosch GmbH, has said they are prepared for a shift towards software-defined vehicles in India.

In an interview with Moneycontrol, Jacob Peter, Executive Board, Senior Vice President, Mobility R&D, BGSW, said, "BGSW sees India as a crucial hub for developing and adapting technologies to suit Indian conditions" he said.

He said BGSW anticipates a growing demand for engineers with expertise in vehicle engineering, AI, data engineering, and connected vehicles. "We are well-prepared for the shift towards software-defined vehicles. Connectivity is expected to play a major role in automobiles. BGSW has developed indigenous products related to connectivity, which includes Intelligent transport management system (iTraMS). BGSW is also involved in autonomous driving and AI modeling, catering to both the Indian and global markets" he said.

BGSW R&D centers in India, primarily in Bengaluru, employ around 20,000 engineers dedicated to mobility technology. "BGSW has one of the largest automotive R&D centers in India, with four centers located in Bengaluru, Coimbatore, Hyderabad, and Pune. These centers house engineers who specialise in various automotive technologies, including powertrain, autonomous driving, infotainment systems, and driver assistance,” said Peter.

Peter said electric vehicles (EVs) will become more prevalent in smaller vehicles, including two-wheelers and three-wheelers, followed by four-wheelers. He said that hydrogen-powered vehicles are expected to gain traction in heavy vehicles, such as trucks.

Peter explained that Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) are gaining attention due to the rise of autonomous driving, with levels ranging from zero (no driver assistance) to five (fully autonomous).

"BGSW has collaborated with Mercedes-Benz to introduce a feature called automated valet parking, a form of smart infrastructure that allows cars to park themselves in designated areas with the push of a button. While full autonomous driving is currently limited to such restricted areas, BGSW envisions its expansion in the future" he said.

Peter reiterated BGSW’s commitment to accident research in India, leading to the establishment of the Road Assistance Sampling System India (RASI). "A large corporate research team initiated this activity in Coimbatore, conducting a pilot study of 50 cases. The results led to the establishment of RASI, given India's high number of accidents, fatalities, injuries, and associated financial impacts" he said.

Jacob Peter, Executive Board, Senior Vice President, Mobility R&D, Bosch Global Software Technologies (BGSW)

Peter stressed the role of features like Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Electronic Stability Program (ESP) in reducing accidents, and how driver assistance systems, such as automatic emergency braking, can further enhance safety, particularly for commercial vehicles.

He highlighted the importance of adapting Western technology to Indian conditions, considering the unique challenges presented by Indian roads and traffic. "BGSW’s approach involves training models with data from Indian conditions to ensure robust object detection and effective safety features" he said.

He said the company provides IoT solutions like emergency call systems in vehicles, which automatically alert call centers in case of accidents, ensuring swift assistance.

"One of the IoT solutions is called E-call, short for emergency call, and is currently integrated into a few cars in India. In the event of an accident, this system automatically contacts a 24/7 manned call center, providing the location and severity of the crash. This is just the initial step. A call center representative communicates with the affected person in their preferred language and dispatches medical or police assistance within 30 minutes. To enable this feature, end-to-end connectivity is essential. It involves not only technology but also the ability to provide assistance at the accident site. Hence, we have partnered with ambulance service providers, and BGSW manages this end-to-end service for some of its customers" he said.