Each connected, autonomous vehicle will be generating more than four terabytes of data a day – the data equivalent of almost 3,000 people, according to Intel. A survey by ABI Research revealed that there will be 41 million 5G-connected cars on the road by 2030, rising to 83 million by 2035. The sheer amount of data multiplied by the predicted number of autonomous vehicles on the road calls for a robust strategy to solve for the need to process high volumes of data.
As carmakers prepare operations to tackle this challenge, they must always consider the role of the central data producer, the consumer. As autonomous, connected car and software-enabled mobility become more prevalent, consumers are increasingly watchful how their data is used. OEMs need to show that they are creating the governance and tools to protect consumers all while innovating their products and services to consumers’ expectations.
Smartphone and apps are updated multiple times in a year, with at least one update on a typical phone or tablet occurring daily. The complexity of vehicle software updates poses risks, with timing and safety being paramount. HPC can provide the tools to determine how and when to make updates, but the dangers still exist. Updates cannot be made when the vehicle is moving, but how does a standing vehicle know when it will be moving? What if the updates do not work and prevent the vehicle from working? Entire road infrastructures could fail if software updates on even a few vehicles are not timed right or fail to work. Gaining consumers’ confidence that they can receive new functionality and be safe at the same time will need some level of governance by the industry.
5G will play a key role as a foundational infrastructure element that will connect multiple systems and require new governance approaches at scale. Surprising and delighting the customer will be the focus while remaining vigilant on safety and security.
