As automated and connected cars roll into dealerships over the next decade, they’ll need high-bandwidth networks to support these critical, data-hungry functions. Korean automaker Hyundai says it is committing to faster ethernet connectivity to power the core of its next-gen vehicles.
The Korean automaker has announced that it will “accelerate innovation, provide ‘over the air updates,’ and shorten the life cycle in bringing new capabilities to market” by using ethernet at up to 1 gigabit per second (Gbps). A collaboration with Cisco will see primarily ethernet-driven Hyundais hit the market starting in 2019.
Electronics in modern cars have become incredibly complex, but they’re slower?like, 10,000 times slower in data throughput?than a USB 3.1 port. Most cars connect their electronic control units (ECUs) via a controller area network, or CAN. Bosch introduced this standard in 1986 to reduce the weight and cost of heavy wiring harnesses, and it has proven to be a robust, reliable, and inexpensive network for in-car use. While initially meant for automobiles, CAN has moved into the marine, aerospace, and medical industries, where some hospital operating rooms rely on it. But CAN can’t manage adaptive suspensions and other drive-by-wire systems with precision. It also can’t process sensor data from radar, lidar, and visual cameras fast enough. For fully autonomous cars?or even for one pedestrian-detection alert?CAN just ...