Automotive Interest Group Workshop

Zone and central computing for the future automotive E/E architectures

In this workshop we will discuss some intermediate hypotheses from a new collaboration project between GSA and McKinsey & Company analyzing the transition from a domain-based controller automotive E/E (Electrical/Electronic) architecture towards one designed around zonal and central controllers.

We will discuss a series of possible consequences of this transition, including:

• More powerful central compute nodes (node sizes <30nm)
• Use of high-speed networks with new physical layer approaches (e.g., real-time enabled ethernet)
• Emergence of smart fuses allowing for optimized power distribution
• Decoupling of HW and SW
• etc.

More generally, the objective of this new collaboration project includes comparing alternative architectures and technological solutions, reviewing market sizes, regional split and market dynamics, and understanding the implications on the current value chain and its players.

The project plan includes:

• Completed: a survey among our automotive interest group participants to prioritize topics
• Ongoing now: selected 1:1 interviews
• THIS GLOBAL “ONLINE” (virtual) WORKSHOP – November 2, 2022 (3pm CET)
• Q1 2023: regional in-person workshops in China (Shanghai), Europe (Munich) and North America (TBC) with presentation of initial results
• May 15-16, 2023 (in Munich, GSA European Executive Forum) presentation of final results.

The project target audience includes all players in the automotive industry, e.g., OEMs, tier-1 suppliers, semiconductor suppliers, as well as companies providing software solutions (OS, middleware, user functions).