"Technology and product innovation are key influences on the automotive industry", notes Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Vigneshwaran Chandran in a recent study on European Vehicle Technologies Evolution Roadmaps. "With the growing trend towards providing advanced driver assistance, safety and comfort features in vehicles, continuous innovation and adoption of new systems will be vital to retain competitiveness in the automotive industry."
Innovation represents a critical route to attain brand differentiation for many vehicle manufacturers (VMs) in Europe. VMs offering advanced systems and expertise in specific areas including chassis, powertrain and safety, have gained considerable recognition in the industry. Since such differentiation serves as a selling point, it is essential for VMs to stay abreast of technology developments in different areas.
"A potential advance that will revolutionise the automotive industry is the establishment of a link between these different systems, thus enabling the creation of new functionalities, more accurate outputs and reliability," states Frost & Sullivan Programme Manager Mr. Anil Valsan. "Introducing intelligence into these integrated systems, thus enabling independent decision making and course of action, is the final step that will provide maximum comfort and safety to the driver."
Indeed, the emergence of integrated systems will take the driving experience to the next level. At present, most systems within the vehicle act independently, without sharing information that would help execute improved actions or have anticipatory functions. The future of vehicular technologies across Europe will witness an integrated approach; the systems will not only share information but also act intelligently by making decisions and supporting enhanced driving.
