Joachim Mathes, CTO at Valeo, posed a crucial question at the 28th Automotive Electronics Congress: How can we ensure that cars will still be relevant and sustainable in 20 years' time? Under the motto ‘Making the Software-defined Vehicle a Sustainable Product’, he called for a change in the automotive industry.
Keynote from Joachim Mathes, Valeo
Where is the car of the future heading?
At the 28th Automotive Electronics Congress in Ludwigsburg, Joachim Mathes, Chief Technology Officer at Valeo, shared his vision of the future of the car. In his presentation, he emphasised the central role of software-defined vehicles (SDVs) and explained why the automotive industry needs to think beyond the term ‘smartphone on wheels’. ‘It's much easier if you do things together,’ Mathes began, laying the foundations for a discussion that would shake up the industry.
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Why is the concept of the ‘smartphone on wheels’ problematic?
Joachim Mathes criticised the frequently used concept of the ‘smartphone on wheels’ and explained why this analogy does not do justice to the complexity and importance of modern vehicles. He emphasised that a car is far more than just a technical device that is replaced after a few years. A vehicle contains immense natural resources and is the result of the labour of many people. Mathes explained that cars should not be treated as disposable products, as they represent significant material and cultural value. ‘Many consider a smartphone to be a disposable product, but a car cannot simply be thrown away,’ he emphasised. A car has a much longer lifespan than a smartphone, and the idea of treating it like a short-lived gadget is not only inaccurate but also dangerous to the industry's sustainability goals, he said.
A car is more than just a technical device. It contains immense natural resources and the labour of many people. It must not be treated like a disposable product.
How long is a modern vehicle actually used?
Mathes emphasised that the average lifespan of a car in Europe is over twelve years and is increasing worldwide. He illustrated this point by asking: ‘How many of you are still using an iPhone 5?’ When no one raised their hand, he used this fact to illustrate that the lifespan of a car is significantly longer than that of a smartphone. However, this longevity also comes with challenges, particularly in terms of maintenance and replacing components that are often not designed to last that long. Mathes emphasised that the industry must find ways to ensure that cars continue to function reliably after many years and do not have to be disposed of prematurely.
What are the challenges of modularity and standardisation in vehicle production?
Mathes spoke at length about the need for modularity and standardisation in automotive production in order to extend the life of vehicles and reduce costs. He explained that the current practice of producing vehicles with a variety of different configurations is inefficient and leads to high costs. Standardisation of hardware and software components would not only simplify production, but also make it easier to maintain and replace parts over time. This modularity would make it possible to replace or upgrade individual components without having to replace the entire vehicle. This not only makes economic sense, but is also an important step towards sustainability.
Many people regard a smartphone as a disposable product, but a car cannot simply be disposed of like that.
What role will electronics and software play in the car of the future?
According to Mathes, electronics and software will play an increasingly central role in the development and utilisation of vehicles. He emphasised that the increasing integration of sensors and computer-based systems in vehicles brings with it new challenges in terms of data processing and cabling. ‘If you feed all the raw data from all the sensors into your powerful central computer, you will not only have a cabling problem, but also a connectivity problem,’ Mathes warned. He argued in favour of a distributed architecture, where data is aggregated and processed in advance before being forwarded to central systems. This approach would not only increase efficiency, but also reduce the complexity and cost of cabling.
What does the future of the automotive industry look like?
In conclusion, Joachim Mathes outlined a future in which vehicles are more sustainable, more durable and more technically advanced. He emphasised the need to break with old conventions in automotive production and break new ground in order to meet the growing demands for sustainability and digitalisation. Mathes called for vehicle development to be designed in such a way that cars are not only functional and ecologically sound, but also attractive and desirable. ‘The car as a digital companion that people would like to have,’ he summarised, emphasising that the future of mobility depends not only on technical innovations, but also on the ability to develop vehicles that meet the wishes and needs of users.
FAQ: The most important insights from the Keynote
What is the central theme of Joachim Mathes' presentation?
Mathes emphasised the need for a reorientation of the automotive industry towards software-defined vehicles and sustainable production.
Why is the ‘smartphone on wheels’ concept problematic?
This concept underestimates the complexity and longevity of modern vehicles, which far exceeds that of a smartphone.
How long are vehicles used on average?
The average lifespan of vehicles in Europe is over twelve years, and this trend is increasing worldwide.
What are the challenges of modularity in vehicle production?
Modularity requires standardisation, but also brings economic challenges, as traditional business models have to be rethought.
What is Mathes' vision for the future of the automotive industry?
Mathes sees the future in a combination of sustainability and innovation, in which the car is not only environmentally friendly, but also attractive and desirable.
About Joachim Mathes
Joachim Mathes is Chief Technology Officer at Valeo Comfort and Driving Assistance Systems. He studied electrical engineering, specialising in automation technology, at Stuttgart Cooperative State University. In 1989, he began his career as a development engineer in the field of sensor technology at SWF/ITT and later took on various project management tasks for international customers. After the takeover by Valeo in 1998, he became head of development for switches and detection systems, built up a global development network and positioned Valeo as an ADAS system provider. Since July 2019, he has been responsible for the areas of Automated and Connected Driving, User Experience and Digital Services as CTO.