CESA 2012 interview : Marc Duval-Destin (PSA), part two

Marc Duval-Destin is Research and Advanced Engineering VP at PSA Peugeot Citroën. For CESA blog, he talks about automated driving.

"In a few months, our Peugeot 208 will be offering automated park assist. This feature is not that new on the market place. Many other OEMS have implemented that technology that lets the car park by itself, calculating if there is room enough and turning automatically the steering wheel. But, it will be the fist time ever that this equipement will be available on a mass production vehicle.
With EuroNCAP decision, to promote AEB (Automated Emergency Braking systems), the OEMS will integrate more and more sensors to enhance safety. Thanks to cost reduction, radars, cameras or lidar will spread on model series between 2015 and 2020. The technology already enables the car to evaluate the driver concentration with accurate sensors and algorithms.
We are also working on comfort features. A function such as traffic jam assist should give peace of mind to the driver. In slow traffic, he would then have time to make something else and let the car manage the accelerator and the brake, thanks to ACC.
In France, we have a common position with Renault. We would like to avoid expensive technologies and to give the benefit of accident free technologies for a majority of drivers, and not only for high end models. Our vision is to develop car to car communication and to promote a dialogue between the vehicle and the infrastructure. That's why we have created VeDeCom institute in Paris area. Public authorities, pedestrians and drivers should be able to interact for a better mobility".

Next, Marc Duval-Destin will be discussing next gen powertrains.

CESA 2012 interview : Marc Duval-Destin (PSA), part one

Marc Duval-Destin is Research and Advanced Engineering VP at PSA Peugeot Citroën. For CESA blog, he explains how is organised R&D for the french OEM.

"When I arrived at the head of our R&D division (called DRIA*) three years ago, I decided to shift from engineering to innovation.
Our aim is to open ourselves to new partners, such as Open Labs and other industrial companies outside the automotive industry. For instance, we have common works with EADS. It helps in order to better integrate composite materials and to save weight.
We also want to integrate our customers in the loop. Usually, technology is pushed by R&D and comes then to market. What we try to do is to take in account the customers expectations, as expressed in our marketing surveys, and to evaluate which innovations in our portfolio should answer to their needs. That's why we created a small dedicated team, called UXIN (User Experience INnovation). We appointed a designer that thinks outside of the box, focused on user experience. This person helps to design services and interfaces, so that people forget the technology behind. We already have some new concepts, especially in the promising field of connectivity and smartphone integration".

Next, Marc Duval-Destin will discuss automated driving.

*Direction of Research and Automotive Innovation

Valeo wants to give access to smartphone services through the central console

Valeo leverages the MirrorLink™ technology to give drivers access to their favorite mobile applications via the dashboard. It lets drivers use the vehicle's on-board control, display and sound systems, thus making the most of the central console, which is wider and more manageable in a car than a smartphone.
Valeo has drawn on the expertise of Nokia’s Qt team to design this interface between vehicle and smartphone. The MirrorLinkTM technology solution, developed by the Car Connectivity Consortium, of which Nokia is a founding member, offers access to phone services and applications from the vehicle's central console. The main advantages of MirrorLinkTM are convenience and ease of use. 

Among its portfolio of driver interface solutions, Valeo is actively developing connected solutions in which smartphone services can be integrated and controlled using the dashboard interface. Users gain access to smartphone applications such as phone, navigation, music, internet radio, weather forecast and real-time traffic information through the in-vehicle display and sound system. Valeo aims to provide users with innovative interfaces, where smartphone services are dynamically and smoothly integrated with the vehicle’ own services. 
For this, Valeo uses the Qt user interface and application framework to create simple, powerful, cross-platform and fluid interfaces. Valeo announces that it has become a core member of the Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC), an organization driving global innovation for phone-centric car connectivity solutions. By joining the CCC, Valeo will help to accelerate the pace at which these new solutions of using a smartphone in a car with a seamless, safe and effortless user experience can be made available to drivers. This innovation responds to the trend that people want to remain connected to their everyday environment in the best possible conditions, even when in a vehicle.

A new partner for CESA 2012

CESA 2012 is happy to welcome a new media partner. ElectroniqueS is the first newsletter dedicated to automotive electronics. It's published by Pole Electro, a press company focused on electronics.

Link : http://www.electroniques.biz/lettres/thematiques/lettre_auto.php?date=2012-06-01

CESA 2012 interview : Pierre Gattaz (FIEEC)

President of FIEEC*, Pierre Gattaz sees a convergence in the vehicle between energy and electronics 

CESA congress will give the opportunity to show how France and Europe can take the lead in the future, despite a very hard economic period. Automotive new trends are clearly electrification and intelligence on board.
The car of tomorrow will be a smartphone on wheels, communicating with other vehicles and with the infrastructure. It will be safer, cleaner and much more comfortable.
We, at FIEEC, consider there is a real convergence coming on in the vehicle.
Not only the car of the future will be intelligent and energy efficient, thanks to sensors on board, but the road will be intelligent too. With an infrastructure able to communicate information, Europe could save lives and money. If we consider road accidents in France only, 4000 people are killed and 80 000 are injured, for a cost of 25 bn euro yearly. Connected cars could help society.
The next step is also autonomous driving It’s technically feasible. However, the regulations don’t allow these technologies and insurance companies are not ready yet to approve driverless cars on the roads.
 At FIEEC, we gather companies such as Schneider and Legrand in the field of electrification, or Thales and STMicroelectronics for electronics. It helps to have a forward thinking and we participate to high level meetings. For instance, our federation has been involved in the creation of PFA (automotive platform), in order to restablish french automotive industry after 2008 crisis. We are also a member of CLIFA (French committee of automotive suppliers).
Europe and France have a strong basis and a real know how to face coming challenges concerning energy, mobility and safety. The aim is relocate jobs and to give our industry a real advantage.

*Federation of electric, electronics and communication industries
Link : http://www.fieec.fr/

CESA 2012 programme overview day 2

On december 5, the second day of the congress will begin at 8.30 by a keynote from Béatrice FOUCHER-SYBORD, Director of product development at Renault.
Then, as for the first day, the programme will split in two parts in the morning from 8.55 to 1.15, with round tables (smart infotainment with Orange,  mechatronics and 48 v with BMW and NXP, new materials with CEA-Leti and Renault) and technical sessions (mechatronics and 48 v with Nissan, PSA, BPCE and Infineon, new materials and components with CNRS, Romeo Consiortium, STMicroelectronics, Valeo and Freescale, architectures with NXP, dSpace, Valeo, ESG, Sysgo, Fraunhofer, Conti Temic microelectronic, STMicroelectronics, Kemet Electronics and Berliner Nanotest und Design).
After the lunch break, starting from 2.55, the afternoon will be dedicated to a round table about architectures with Bosch and ESG and a technical session about infotainment with STMicroelectronics, Faurecia, Politecnico Di Torino and Elektrobit.
From 4.10, the congress will be concluded by keynotes from Jean-Marc GALES, Chief Executive Officer of CLEPA, Liam BRESLIN, Head of Unit Surface Transport at the European Commission and Rémi BASTIEN, Director of Research, Advanced Studies and Materials at Renault. As for the first day, Jochen LANGHEIM, Chairman of CESA 2012 (and VP from STMicroelectronics in France) will make the final speech.

CESA 2012 : programme overview day 1

On december 4, the CESA 2012 congress will kick off at 8.55 am, with a welcome & Introduction speech by Jochen LANGHEIM (STMicroelectronics), Chairman of the event. This will be followed by an opening speech by Michel ROLLIER, President of French Automotive Plateforme (PFA) and keynotes from Marc DUVAL-DESTIN, VP Research & Advanced Engineering at PSA Peugeot Citroen and Christophe PERILLAT-PIRATOINE, Group’s Chief Operating Officer at Valeo.
Then, in the morning the congress will offer in parallel round table sessions from 10.30 (market of electric vehicles with Roland Berger and BIPE, new mobility with PSA and SNCF) or technical sessions (environment, energy sources & infrastructures with Valeo, Renault, IPG Automotive, B&A) from 12.
After the lunch break (from 1.15 to 2.15), the programme will split between round tables on ADAS & connectivity (with Valeo and Volkswagen), and energy (with Ademe and EDF), meanwhile technical sessions will focus on new mobility (Amsterdam City, NXP, Bitron, Bosch) and ADAS & connectivity (Bosch, TRW, Continental, IDIADA, Technical Research Institute of Sweden, Institut für Kraftahrzeugeuntil), until 6.15.
The day 1 will be concluded by keynotes from Wolfgang RUNGE, Member of the board of ZF Steering Systems and chairman of Baden-Baden conference and Pierre GATTAZ, President of FIEEC, and by a day 1 wrap up from Jochen LANGHEIM.

CESA programme committee meets for papers selection

40 papers have been received for CESA Congress technical sessions. It's quite a lot. But, the programme committee had to make a selection then and 30 have been chosen. The experts met on July 3rd at SIA headquarters to read the abstracts and discuss.
Lead by Jochen Langheim, from ST and CESA 2012 manager, the program committe was constituted by representatives from Bosch (Eric Dalla Vecchia), Freescale (Gérard Maniez), Infineon (Andy Toulemonde), PSA Peugeot Citroën (El Khalis Kadiri, Igor Demay), SIA (Daniel Pfrimmer, Pauline Senis), Vector (Henri Belda).
Please note that our special guest Wolfgang Runge, Chairman from Baden-Baden conference, joint the committee the whole day

In the evening, there was another meeting with the Executive Commitee. It was hosted by STMicroelectronics, on invitation only, at famous Bristol restaurant in Paris. Around Thierry Tingaud (Chairman from ST France), Pascal Ribot (Key Account Manager at ST) and Jochen Langheim (VP advanced automotive R&D programmes at ST and CESA manager), we could see Rémi Bastien (Renault), Marc Duval-Destin (PSA Peugeot Citroën), Thierry Faugeras (Federal Mogul), Denis Griot (Freescale) and Wolgang Runge (Baden Baden Conference).

Introduction and widening of 48 V voltage system

CESA paper abstract

The maximum power needed for on-board vehicle electrical network has increased continuously, and might overtake the 10kW threshold in the near future (taking into account the energy recovering needs). Standard up to date 14V networks are uncapable of delivering such power needs.

After about 20 years of innovative works concerning the 42V onboard network, this solution was finally abandoned by most of the car manufacturers, substituted by the 48V network. The need to increase the onboard voltage level was initially motivated by the performances enhancement of Lead Acid Batteries systems. Nowadays the CO2 emissions reduction is also expected, thanks to the evolution of battery technologies (as example Li-ion chemistry). This strategy is then justified by increasing needs of electrical power, not compatible with standard 12V networks, as well as by energy recovering needs necessary for CO2 emissions optimization.

This paper will develop the expected scenarios for introduction and widening of the 48V technology in our vehicles, taking into account the 48V standard technical Specification issued from the initiative of the German OEMs, and the VDA help :
 - Define and set up the conditions for succeeding in the introduction of the 48V technology, firstly on Mild-Hybrid powertrain applications. 
- Then extend the 48V voltage as a second onboard network to allow future needs : 
High application rate on hybrid powertrain by 2020 
Optimization of Electrical energy management 
CO2 emissions reduction (48V storage system allowing high recovering performances) 
Potential opportunities of using 48V to supply some high power consumers, like electrical steering, air conditioning compressor, engine cooling fans, heated rear window, …). 

By El Khamis Kadiri and Franck Briault, PSA Peugeot Citroën

Driver Assistance: Cutting edge technology fort the mass market

CESA Paper Abstract

Driver Assistance Systems have evolved dramatically during the last decade. In the early stage their use was limited due to high cost und technological restrictions in the premium segment. Today we witness a massive rollout phase into every car segment.
On the one hand this leads to higher volume on the other hand the accepted price from the customer is much lower than before without accepting too much compromises in functionality. This describes the challenge for OEMs as well as suppliers.
One approach of Volkswagen is to constantly question today’s hardware concepts concerning sensors and electronic control units (ECUs) for driver assistance systems. E.g. high cost radar sensors dominate the market for adaptive cruise control and side assistance systems. Focusing on the demand of the customers in the volume market leads to a dedicated design which is more cost effective and allows reaching low end platforms. The goal here is not to switch sensor technology completely but to find the important “minor” improvements.
Another motivation for such solutions are the new EU NCAP aims in the following years. The discussed regulations concerning pedestrian detection and active safety require very cost effective systems with the potential of added functionality. Without changing sensors and systems a functional update must enable extra benefits for the driver.
The paper will address these topics with examples from Volkswagen.

By Dr. Alexander Kirchner, DAS System Development, Volkswagen AG

CESA 2012 interview : Rémi Bastien (Renault), third part

Rémi Bastien is Vice President for Research, Advanced Studies and Materials at Renault. For this third and last part of the interview, he discusses about CESA congress and the french know how.

"As a shareholder of SIA*, I was one of the promoters of the CESA congress. The first edition in 2010 was rather successful and we have decided to continue.
A scientific congress is much more a tradition in Germany, where engineers like to share information, than in France. However, we have good scientists too and it's an opportunity to present research labs, universities and to put the emphasis on french know how in the whole automotive industry.
We have for example the VeDeCom institute, housed by the Mov'eo cluster and which is very unique in Europe. It's the only place you can find OEMS, suppliers, labs, famous research firms (CEA, IFP, IFSTTAR), and outside automotive companies such as Veolia or EDF, working all together on carbon free vehicles and new mobiliy trends.
CESA is an international congress. We aim to become a major event in Europe, in the field of electronics, hybrid and electric vehicles and of communication dedicated to mobility. Organised every two years, on even years, our congress is in alternance with Baden Baden".

*French Society of Automotive Engineers

CESA 2012 interview : Rémi Bastien (Renault), second part

This is the second part of the interview of Rémi Bastien, Vice President for Research, Advanced Studies and Materials at Renault. The internal code name for this organisation is DREAM. So, let's dream of the future with our top expert.

"With this research organisation, we try to make our managers dream, and then our customers. More seriously, we drive half of the innovation at Renault. We are working on early stage on breakthrough innovations, whether it's on powertrain, or for the connected car.
To give an example, we have created the embedded charger on Zoe EV car, wich is called Cameleon and allows to charge more quickly. This device is compliant with power from 22 to 43 kW.
One of our challenges at the moment is to develop more affordable batteries, always for EVs. We expect to be ready in 2017, with next generation batteries which would allow the same range, from 150 to 200 km, but with a much lower price.
Another interesting topic is the driving assistance. Today, a car can park by itself. At low speed, the driver could handover to the car and let it manage acceleration, braking and changing lanes. All the components are ready and we have in France a remarkable  facility with VeDeCom Institute near Paris for further testings and developments. I think it should come earlier than people usually expect.
When innovation is mature enough, it's then transferred to production plans".

To be continued with statements on CESA congress.

CESA 2012 interview : Rémi Bastien (Renault), first part

Rémi Bastien is Vice President for Research, Advanced Studies and Materials at Renault. As the new chairman of EUCAR, the Brussels based organisation, he discusses first about research in Europe.

"EUCAR stands for European Council for Automotive R&D. With fourteen members, wich are automotive manufacturers from the ACEA*, the organisation identifies research priorities and interacts whith the European Commission, in order to improve the competitiveness of the industry.
Our key challenge at the moment is Horizon 2020, the Framework Programme for Research & Innovation. Our proposal is to triple the amount of fundings, with a 5 billion Euros budget for the next seven years to face the challenges. Research efforts have to be done on cars themselves, but also in the fields of energy and communication. This idea has been well received by the European Commission.
Europe has to move fast and to take decisions quickly. In other parts of the world, such as China or South Korea, it takes within 6 months to raise fundings and to issue a call for tenders. Europe timeline is rather 6 to 18 months.
We have to decide this year and to move forward then. If we are waiting too much, Europe may lose its technical advance, especially in the field of the connected car with car to car communications".

To be continued with a presentation of the DREAM (research organisation at Renault) and statements on CESA congress.

*European Automobile Manufacturers' Association

ID4Car and 4G connectivity

On june 26th, in Brittany*, ID4 Car cluster and other partners (ITS Brittany, Orange...) are organising a showcase around 4 G connectivity dedicated to transports. The aim is to prepare the arrival of this new standard in cars. Experts will present 4 G LTE potential and will discuss about connected services. Thanks to a greater bandwith, 4 G is ten times faster and allows new applications in the vehicle.

*In Ploufragan, near Saint-Brieuc

Top speakers already confirmed at CESA 2012

The congress will welcome top executives from OEMs and suppliers. At this point, CESA 2012 is delighted to announce the presence of :
Christophe PERILLAT, chief operating officer at Valeo on automotive electronics in general
Marc DUVAL-DESTIN, R&D Director at PSA on new mobility (picture)
Beatrice FOUCHER-SYBORD from Renault on Electric Mobility
Liam BRESLIN for the European Commission
Wolfgang RUNGE, ex-CEO of ZF and chairman of Baden-Baden conference on automotive electronics
Pierre GATTAZ, CEO of Radial and President of the French federation for electronics industry (FIEEC) Joachim MATTHES from Valeo on Driver Assistance
Heinz PFANNSCHMIDT, ex CEO of Honsel and ex-VP of Visteon as representative for Roland Berger on electric mobility in Germany
Laurent MALIER, CEO of CEA-LETI on new technologies in power electronics
Hans-Georg FRISCHKORN, ESG and ex-VP Electronics at GM and BMW on consequences from mobility needs on technical solutions
Other speakers from BMW, Nissan, Continental, CLEPA, BIPE, Ademe and Orange are also announced. CESA 2012 is a very promising edition...