Issue link: https://resources.mouser.com/i/1499865
Molex 2023 17 Adopting New Techniques Connector design will play an important role in the implementation of zonal architecture. The environmental challenges that vehicles will face and the expectations of high performance mean that existing automotive connector solutions are not ready for zonal systems. The connectivity between a device and zonal gateway will require a new generation of hybrid or mixed connectors that can carry both power and high-speed signals, even in the tough conditions found on the road. With greater functionality packed into each single connector, harness installation will also be considerably easier, as fewer connection points will need to be made. Connectors intended for use in the central computing cluster will need to provide far greater resilience than conventional board-to-board solutions, while also offering high pin counts and power connections. Designers will also need a standardized design to allow the use of swappable modules, both to simplify manufacturing processes and to enable easy upgrades. ADAS and autonomous driving systems will be subjected to a huge amount of scrutiny to ensure the level of safety that consumers and regulatory bodies will demand. As a result, connector design will need to comply with a level of certification that is rarely seen in commercial or consumer applications. It is possible that government policy may yet be one of the greatest barriers to adoption of this new technology. Nearly a third of the industry professionals interviewed in the Molex and Mouser survey suggested that navigating the emerging government regulations on autonomous vehicles will be a significant challenge that must be overcome before cars can truly embrace their future as data centers on wheels. There will also be differences in how individual manufacturers will adopt this new technology. While established manufacturers in Europe, the U.S., and Japan will be able to draw from their own huge resources to develop new solutions, their existing portfolio of products and established manufacturing processes mean that they will be unable to adopt new techniques quickly. This is not true of the many startup companies that, while lacking the industrial might of established manufacturers, are approaching these challenges unlimited by existing customers or design philosophies. Many such startups unencumbered by existing mental and physical frameworks are located in China, where they are leveraging the country's expertise in the cellular and network communications markets to develop the automotive solutions of the future. Regional location will also have an impact on the standardization of hardware. In the U.S., USCAR regulations will need to be adapted for new automotive technology, while European manufacturers will likely revise LV214 standards. The approach that the Chinese manufacturers will take is, as yet, unknown. Many larger companies are choosing to deploy zonal technology through their high-end, low- volume brands. Some are even creating new brands, enabling them to approach this technology with the fresh perspective of less-well-established manufacturers, while still enjoying the industrial might that their parent company can deliver. Which automotive manufacturer becomes the leader in the implementation of zonal architecture will be partially influenced by government policy on infrastructure, such as EV charging stations and 5G. For example, according to Bloomberg, by the end of 2020, the Chinese had installed more than 800,000 public charging stations in anticipation of high demand for electric vehicles. Meanwhile, in the same period, Europe had more than 350,000 and the U.S. nearly 90,000. More than a third of those surveyed in the Molex and Mouser study felt that a lack of investment in such infrastructure would hamper the advancement of new vehicle technology. Which global manufacturer will take the lead in zonal architecture?