Automobile Industry

As a result of the rise in electronics and software in the vehicle, the automotive world is experiencing a fundamental process of change which is affecting all sectors of the industry.

Using Software in Vehicles
If a pane of glass is shattered, the driver notices this immediately. Not so if software is manipulated – however the consequences for the safety and security of the vehicle may well be greater. The protection of software in the vehicle is becoming a major issue, with the use of cryptography becoming increasingly important.

New business models for manufacturers
The use of software opens up entirely new business models to carmakers. Vehicle functions that are software based can be upgraded easily, and the service offering can thus be broadened. In order to ensure that software is not copied, effective limitation of the use of functions is absolutely necessary to secure the revenue model.

The networked vehicle
Today’s complex onboard networks receive valuable information about the vehicle’s status and environment as a result of the functions’ being more greatly networked. In order to make this information available to other vehicles for increased vehicle safety and security, vehicles will be networked with one another via Car2Car communication in future. It must be possible for vehicles to exchange manipulation-protected information relevant to road conditions such as icy patches or a traffic jam after a curve. The authenticity of the transmitted data is critical in this case.

Online services in the vehicle
The growing integration of Internet-based services is another driving force behind the networking of vehicles with the environment. Such online services require constant availability of communication channels which can only be ensured if existing public communication networks are used. Vehicles are consequently visible on the Internet and also vulnerable to malware such as viruses and Trojans. The onboard network must therefore be reliably protected against Internet-based attacks and applications which are not properly programmed.

Smart grid
Electric vehicles are an important part of future mobility concepts. This allows new technology and infrastructure providers such as energy providers and manufacturers of electric motors and batteries to enter the automotive industry. Electric cars will not only be consumers, but also an attractive source of energy for the power grid. In this scenario, the vehicle will become an energy broker, buying at a cheap price and selling at an expensive one. Secure authentication and payment transactions of the vehicle will become an integral part of the vehicle which will make it necessary to have an open communication platform in the vehicle.