With the automotive landscape shooting for more reliable and efficient cars, the utilization of the semiconductor in automobiles proves to be a groundbreaking initiative.
Updated 21 August 2024
Global Delivery Head at Appventurez
The last few years have been a transformative ride for the automotive industry. The ever-rising advancements in technological trends have given rise to the rapid development of smart vehicles. One such innovation that has profoundly impacted and revolutionized the automobile industry is the incorporation of semiconductor technology.
Today, advanced vehicles are integrated with various sensors, such as smart cameras and improved lidars. These sensors are empowered with robust semiconductor chips to maximize the efficiency of automobiles. However, integrating a semiconductor chip in cars is tricky. One needs professional automotive software development services to utilize its full potential.
Automobile semiconductors have replaced conventional ignition systems with electrical ones, enhancing power management and fuel combustion efficiency. To understand their role better, this article will discuss how semiconductor in automobiles can transform the landscape of automotive businesses.
With the ever-rising inception of numerous technologies in the automotive sector, the entire market has been significantly disrupted in the past few years. 3D map applications, electric vehicles, and automobile automation have been the key tech trends in the automotive sector.
All these have boosted the growth and utilization of a well-structured semiconductor in automobiles. Consequently, the automotive semiconductor market witnessed a clear spike, with the figures anticipated to surpass the $60 billion mark by the end of 2024.
Some of the major reasons and growth factors responsible for this increased usage of automotive semiconductors are:
The role of semiconductor in automobiles is imperative, serving a diverse range of functions, especially for modern cars and EVs. There are several components of semiconductors that come along to make the whole segment work. Below is a brief description of these components that help you understand how semiconductors work.
| Key Components | Key Functions |
|---|---|
| Microcontrollers | Integrated circuits comprising memory, CPU, and a diverse range of peripheral interfaces. Used for controlling and tracking functions, such as engine management, infotainment systems, body control, etc. |
| Digital Signal Processors | Microprocessors engineered for performing tasks related to digital signal processing. Used for speech recognition, image processing, audio processing, and other heavy computational activities. |
| App-Specific ICs | Personalized integrated circuits developed for specific automotive functions. Used for high-performance functions and integration capabilities in vehicle control systems, ADAS algorithms, and image processing. |
| Electric Control Units | ECUs enable real-time monitoring. Used for precise controlling and combining multiple vehicular systems, such as microcontrollers, sensor interfaces, and communication protocols, enhancing the performance and safety of vehicles. |
| Power Management ICs | This component of a semiconductor in automobiles ensures a controlled and managed vehicle power supply. Used for effective power distribution, protecting automotive systems, and regulating voltage. |
| Sensors | As one of the crucial components of a semiconductor in cars, automotive sensors collect information from a vehicle’s internal system and outer surroundings. They range from position sensors, proximity sensors, temperature sensors, and pressure sensors to accelerometers and gyroscopes. Used in environmental control systems, engine management, and ADAS. |
| MEMS | Micro-electro-mechanical systems-based semiconductors offer high-grade actuation along with sensing capabilities. Used for augmenting the safety, accessibility, performance, and driving experience of the vehicles. |
All these components of a semiconductor in automobiles function together, ensuring top-notch performance of vehicles along with improved functionalities.
The usage of semiconductors in automotive industry has several benefits, especially when it comes to e-vehicles and driverless cars. Below are some of the notable benefits of semiconductors in the automotive landscape.
In-vehicle GPS features, such as mapping road closures and optimal routes have made our lives easier as drivers. However, these features require the integration of high-grade semiconductor in automobiles, modifying the pre-installed systems equipped in them.
Besides this, the semiconductor used in cars helps process and analyze data, leading to accuracy and time-effectiveness while controlling the vehicle.
With the implementation of AI in self-driving cars and other autonomous vehicles, the safety systems have been significantly improved. The emergency braking systems, parking assistance, and blind spot detection are some of the notable features — thanks to the power of semiconductor technology.
A plethora of advanced features, such as GPS navigation based on voice UI design, active automated steering, cruise control, etc. help drivers to ride seamlessly. All these features are powered by semiconductor in automobiles, as it forms a bridge between software solutions and vehicular functionalities.
Electrification is one of the emerging tech trends in the automotive industry, upturning the performance of both electric and hybrid vehicles. It manages the battery of the vehicles and enhances their fuel combustion efficiency. Besides, it also helps restore energy in EVs with the help of regenerative braking systems. Semiconductor technology in automobiles can significantly streamline all these processes.
One of the notable benefits of semiconductor in automobiles is their ability to turn on and off multiple times per second. This process significantly reduces power losses, making batteries last longer with an extended EV range. Apart from this, semiconductor used in cars can also assist automotive OEMs in using portable batteries. This enables them to design improved car architectures with reduced space consumption.
Semiconductor chips in cars are strategically placed and utilized to perform an extensive set of functions. This includes:
Modern vehicles are equipped with multiple advanced ECUs. Each of these units is responsible for tracking and managing various aspects of the engine’s performance. The role of semiconductor chips here is to:
When it comes to modern driving experience, infotainment systems hold a crucial place in vehicles. By using semiconductor in automobiles, manufacturers empower these systems and enable features such as in-vehicle audio, smartphone connectivity, and GPS navigation. Apart from this, the semiconductor chips also help in:
Semiconductor chip in cars are also used in suspension and transmission systems, helping the vehicle to adjust its performance based on driving conditions. The role of semiconductor chips here includes:
Today’s modern vehicles, both autonomous and manual, are equipped with robust safety systems powered by advanced semiconductor chips. Some of the major advantages of semiconductor chips in terms of vehicle safety are:
Semiconductor technology and state-of-the-art chips also benefit in controlling the climate and temperature systems in cars. Here’s how semiconductor in automobiles enhance climate control systems:
The automotive semiconductor market is transforming at a rapid pace, and emerging tech trends are significantly responsible for it. From electric vehicle software development to smart automotive technology, several trends are reshaping the industry. Let’s take an overview of the prominent ones.
Vehicle-to-Everything, or V2X technology allows vehicles to interact with their surroundings, making driving seamless and secure. The primary role of this tech trend is to inform drivers of what’s ahead, especially when the driver has zero visibility about upcoming obstacles or corners within a mile. Using semiconductor in automobiles ensures better communication in real-time.
Ultra-widebands (or UWBs) offer accurate, secure, and real-time localization powered by wireless technologies like Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and GPS. Semiconductors help in generating automotive UWB ICs, enabling the connection between the vehicle and smartphones.
Semiconductor in automobile also provides support for integrating in-vehicle AI-powered systems to improve and cater to human actions. This technology is specifically crucial for driverless vehicles like Tesla where inferring actions depending on in-car and outside environmental sensors is crucial. Morris Garages and Tesla are some of the notable automotive brands that have equipped AI as a service for a better driving experience.
Modern vehicles are required to equip and connect with a robust automotive infrastructure for data sharing. For this, stable and fast network connectivity becomes essential. That’s why major automotive OEMs and semiconductor chip makers incorporate 5G and 6G connection support into their vehicular systems for enhanced connectivity.
Another prevalent and useful tech trend in the domain of semiconductors is prediction-based analytics. To expand the sphere of automotive semiconductor use cases, automotive companies have started deploying semiconductor chips in cars that offer predictive analysis. The impact of predictive data analytics in the automotive sector is significant, assisting drivers to ride safely in high traffic-intensive situations.
As the automotive semiconductor market evolves, it plays a pivotal role in addressing the design challenges faced by electric vehicles. Emerging tech trends such as V2X communication, ultra-wideband technology, and in-vehicle AI systems are not only enhancing vehicle capabilities but also solving critical issues like navigation, connectivity, and real-time decision-making.
The number of semiconductor chips to be used in a car depends on several factors, such as:
Evaluation of these factors will help you understand how many semiconductors in a car must be used for optimal performance. On average, a modern vehicle is incorporated with almost 1,000 to 3,000 semiconductor chips.
As a professional automotive software and EV solutions provider, Appventurez leverages the power of semiconductor technology backed with software complexities to build a robust automobile architecture.
Our automotive software engineers hold profound expertise in developing data-intensive and goal-oriented strategies, ensuring the best use of semiconductor in automobiles. Besides building an innovative software solution, our experts also provide insightful guidance and consulting services to leverage the capabilities of semiconductor in cars.
Have an ingenious project in mind and want to collaborate with a professional software development company for the same? Well, our team will be more than happy to assist you. Consult us and drive to the future fueled by the wheels of technological excellence.
Q. What are semiconductor chips used for in cars?
In hybrid or electric vehicles, semiconductor chips help manage battery systems, control power, distribute power, manage engines, and ensure safety management.
Q. How are semiconductors used in automobiles?
From safety management to electrification of vehicles, semiconductors are used in many ways in automobiles. Apart from this, semiconductor in automobiles also ensure engine management and improved connectivity.
Q. Is there a semiconductor shortage in the automobile industry?
Earlier, the shortage in semiconductors forced automotive businesses to take a step back in terms of production. However, since 2023, the supply of semiconductor chips has been on the up, indicating that it’s no longer a challenge.
Elevate your journey and empower your choices with our insightful guidance.
Global Delivery Head at Appventurez
Ashish governs the process of software delivery operations. He ensures the end product attains the highest remarks in qualitative analysis and is streamlined to the clientele’s objectives. He has over a decade of experience as an iOS developer and teams mentorship.
Our team looks forward to hearing from you and these details will help us to get back
Elevate your journey and empower your choices with our experts' insightful guidance.
© Copyright 2018 – 2024 Appventurez. All Rights Reserved
38 reviews
You’re just one step away from turning your idea into a global product.
Everything begins with a simple conversation.
+44 7768229682
