Harman says it expects autonomous vehicles to be a reality in ten years as it mulls the opportunities for its infotainment systems on new transportation models.

The infotainment specialist made the comments to just-auto at this week’s Geneva Motor Show, where it was showcasing several innovations with Swiss think-tank, Rinspeed and on several OEM vehicles.

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“We think in ten years, autonomous cars are a reality,” Harman senior marketing manager, technology marketing, Christoph Reifenrath, told just-auto. “What does it mean for the OEMs and the rest of the world? The infotainment system is necessary to do it.

“Sensors around the car with 360° view – without this autonomous driving is not possible. In ten years, it depends on what Google or Apple will do. This would bring a highly dynamic factor into this and therefore everybody dealing with this has to be prepared to be first and first every year.

“We have systems that can be upgraded with processors. Systems are getting more and more complex and it is essential to make them as reliable as possible.”

Reifenrath also highlighted what for many is becoming an increasing area of interest with connected vehicles, namely that of information security.

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“The more communication we have to the outside world, the more essential it is to have the highest level of security in the system,” he said. “We do everything we can to have the [most] secure system imaginable.

“This will develop and develop as everything develops in this business.”

For his part, Harman lifestyle division, Michael Mauser, noted: “Every year, the Geneva Motor Show gives us the opportunity to showcase our most innovative technologies with the Rinspeed concept cars.

“With our latest audio and infotainment innovations, we can demonstrate autonomous driving will definitely not be boring but a unique entertainment experience – by bringing technology in the vehicle that just a few years ago seemed like science-fiction.”