Latest automotive interviews

Prodrive’s solution to composite recycling

21 Jan 2019 | Matthew Beecham

Prodrive Composites has developed a process for manufacturing recyclable composite components that can satisfy future end-of-life requirements without compromising the performance of the original parts. To learn more, we caught up with John McQuilliam FIMMM, Chief Engineer at Prodrive Composites and board member of the British Composites Society.

Sounds right – Q&A with Harman Car Audio VP

18 Jan 2019 | Matthew Beecham

A number of automotive trends were evident at last week’s CES, notably how Artificial Intelligence, smart audio and voice control systems are shaping the in-car user experience. To learn more, we caught up with Bill Wyman, VP - Global Marketing – Car Audio, Harman.

CES - Shifting gears from RPM to EPM with Harman

18 Jan 2019 | Matthew Beecham

Harman used the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino during the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) last week to showcase its expertise and latest innovations in connected car, audio and connected services technologies. The company says it is expanding the traditional measures of MPGs or RPMs to deliver what consumers today demand, namely Experiences Per Mile (EPM). Connected, personalised and adaptable experiences driven by technology, not horsepower, is the main differentiator of new vehicles, says the supplier. It further believes it is "democratising vehicle experiences" through solutions that enable smarter interactions, improve safety and security, and help automakers seamlessly scale offerings across car segments. To find out how, we met with Rashmi Rao, Senior Director Global Engineering, Advanced Product Development, User Experience, Connected Car, Harman.

CES – Harman’s Ignite cloud platform expands ecosystem

18 Jan 2019 | Matthew Beecham

We heard at CES last week how Harman is expanding its Over-the-Air (OTA) offering to allow OEMs to effectively tackle the ever-growing security complexity of their software supply chain’s components. We also learned how its smart, secure technology is advancing personalised mobility that satisfies individual preferences. Continuing just-auto/QUBE series of interviews, we spoke to Oren Betzaleli, Senior Vice President & General Manager, Connected Services, Harman.

CES – Harman on tomorrow’s 5G connectivity opportunities

18 Jan 2019 | Matthew Beecham

As vehicles and infrastructure become more connected, new revenue-generating possibilities for players across the mobility ecosystem are emerging. Following its acquisition by Samsung in late 2017, Harman is well placed to help enterprises make the most of those opportunities. Continuing just-auto/QUBE’s series of interviews at CES, we met with Gani Nayak, Senior VP Connected Car, Harman.

CES - Luxoft showcases concept for autonomous and shared mobility

10 Jan 2019 | Matthew Beecham

At this year’s CES, Luxoft, a global IT service provider, together with LG Electronics, Amazon, HERE and The Qt Company unveiled an autonomous mobility concept. Continuing just-auto/QUBE’s series of interviews at CES, we spoke to Mikael Söderberg, Senior Technical Director, Automotive at Luxoft to learn more.

CES – Visteon’s vision of how the cockpit will evolve in the autonomous era

10 Jan 2019 | Matthew Beecham

Visteon’s cockpit domain controller, known as SmartCore™ aims to improve every aspect of the cockpit experience, including graphic display resolution and security, and provide a compelling value proposition to OEMs. Continuing just-auto/QUBE’s series of interviews at CES this week, we spoke to Robert R. Vallance, Senior Vice President, Customer Groups, Marketing and Communications, Visteon to learn more about SmartCore™ , how its business is shaping up in China and addressing custmer demand for individualisation.

CES – Continental on tomorrow’s mobility solutions

10 Jan 2019 | Matthew Beecham

Continental is using this year’s CES to demonstrate its solutions and key technologies for future cities around the theme "Mobility at your service. Freedom to Live." To learn more, we spoke to Ralph Lauxmann, Head of Systems & Technology, Chassis & Safety Division, Continental and Dr. Karsten Michels, Head of Systems & Technology, Interior Division, Continental.

CES - Q&A with Nissan on Invisible-to-Visible

9 Jan 2019 | Graeme Roberts

Tetsuro Ueda is a technology expert at the Nissan Research Center where the automaker "explores cutting-edge technologies and develops the next step in automotive excitement". Working with a small, dedicated team, Ueda's research focuses on connecting technology and humans in an enriching, seamless way. His latest development is set to create new insights through connected platforms and sensing technologies.

CES - Remote assistance for autonomous vehicles

9 Jan 2019 | Matthew Beecham

The growing field of teleoperations enables humans in remote locations to take over the controls of an Autonomous Vehicle (AV) when necessary, such as when lane markings are missing or an unexpected detour. Ottopia, an Israeli technology startup focused on remote assistance for self-driving cars, uses a combination of Artificial Intelligence and old-fashioned human intelligence to work together for remote intervention. The company was founded last year by the former head of the AVs and Robotics branch of the Israeli Defense Forces, Leon Altarac, and the former head of Product Management for Microsoft’s cyber-security unit, Amit Rosenzweig. They believe that this combination of AI and human remote drivers is what it will take to solve the "last mile" towards fully autonomous vehicles. To learn more, we spoke to Amit Rosenzweig, CEO and co-founder of Ottopia.

CES – Visteon CTO on the digital, electrified and autonomous cockpit

9 Jan 2019 | Matthew Beecham

Visteon has transitioned from a multi-product, Ford spin-off to a focused electronics supplier with a diverse customer base. Since its divestment of non-core businesses and integration of Johnson Controls’ electronics business, the supplier is now singularly focused on cockpit electronics. Its product portfolio includes audio, information displays, instrument clusters, cockpit domain controllers, head-up display, infotainment and telematics. Continuing just-auto/QUBE’s series of interviews at CES this week, we caught up with Markus Schupfner, chief technology officer, Visteon to learn more about its cockpit technology showcase.

CES - AV sensor supplier expands globally, teams with BMW

9 Jan 2019 | Matthew Beecham

Innoviz develops and manufactures solid-state LiDAR (which stands for Light Detection and Ranging) sensors and perception software that enable the mass-production of autonomous vehicles. Continuing just-auto/QUBE’s series of interviews here at CES, we caught up with Omer Keilaf, CEO and Co-Founder, Innoviz Technologies to learn more about its sensor technologies, business with BMW and InnovizOne for which it won a CES 2019 innovation award.

CES – Velodyne CTO on Lidar solutions for autonomy and driver assistance

8 Jan 2019 | Matthew Beecham

Velodyne develops real-time 3D Lidar (Light Detection and Ranging) computing and software platforms. Continuing just-auto/QUBE’s series of interviews this week at CES, we spoke to Anand Gopalan, Chief Technology Officer at Velodyne Lidar bout the company’s innovations.

CES - ZF on ProAI, truck platooning and ‘last mile’ deliveries

8 Jan 2019 | Matthew Beecham

At CES this week, ZF is showcasing its sensor portfolio which can more accurately detect vehicle surroundings – both inside and outside of the vehicle – and thereby help to enhance the safety of conventional and automated vehicles. The resulting architecture – including a new, full-range radar, solid-state LiDAR, cameras and acoustic sensors – are combined with supercomputers from the ZF ProAI product family to create a powerful sensor system. Continuing just-auto/QUBE’s series of interviews at CES, we caught up with Torsten Gollewski, head of ZF Advanced Development and its Zukunft Ventures investment arm.

CES - Infineon Technologies is on the CASE

7 Jan 2019 | Matthew Beecham

Connected, autonomous, shared and electric (CASE) mobility solutions need sensors. Lots of them. Infineon Technologies is a global leader in the field, producing sensors for automotive applications and others. Initiating just-auto/QUBE’s series of interviews at CES, we caught up with Peter Schiefer, President of the Automotive Division at Infineon Technologies.

Antoine Redier - GEFCO EVP 4PL Solutions

4 Jan 2019 | Simon Warburton

As EVP 4PL Solutions, Antoine Redier is a member of the GEFCO Group Executive Committee. He joined GEFCO in March, 2007 as a vehicle distribution and preparation manager in Germany, before becoming VP – Finished Vehicle Logistics. In July 2012, Redier was appointed 4PL Director for the General Motors Programme.

Huemen creates human-centred, meaningful design for the connected car

4 Jan 2019 | Matthew Beecham

As the quality, quantity and variety of in-cabin features continue to rise, these attributes no longer provide the differentiation they once did. Instead, it is predicted that design and user experience will become key for automakers in setting a brand apart. A new design group, born from an established Tier One provider is intent on making its mark on the industry. Continuing just-auto/QUBE’s series of interviews, we spoke to Christian Schluender, VP and General Manager of Global Design at Huemen, to find out more.

Is VR a game changer for the auto industry?

6 Dec 2018 | Matthew Beecham

From automotive engineering and styling to marketing and retail, Virtual Reality (VR) continues to surprise and delight. Forget glossy brochures and the pantomime of buying a new car. Game software and wearable technology is changing the way we shop. Consumers in shopping centres or sitting at home can now visualise their next yet-to-launched car in any configuration using a VR headset. To learn more, we caught up with Joseph Artgole, associate marketing director, ZeroLight, a specialist in 3D visualisations.

How machine learning can forecast parts failures

28 Nov 2018 | Dave Leggett

Formed in 2009, 'We Predict' is a company using machine learning and predictive methodology to leverage forecasts from big databases. The US-based company is targeting a number of industries for its services, including automotive. In the UK, a team of data scientists, software coders and mathematicians works on a product utilising automotive warranty data (NA) that it claims can predict automotive parts failures by make and model. Dave Leggett visited their Swansea offices to find out more.

Hyundai-Kia's design chief on CASE opportunities

16 Nov 2018 | Chris Wright

Hyundai Motor Group Design chief Peter Schreyer is rightly proud of his role in changing not only the look,  but the perception of the South Korean carmaker’s two brands. His work is far from done, however. There are plenty more challenges ahead, not least with the advent of autonomous vehicles.