Electronics & Connectivity - March 1, 2012 - 3

electronics connectivity
The creators of SAE International’s portfolio of magazines, newsletters, and websites have developed this new SAE electronics + connectivity digital technology magazine to help the industry’s electronic and electrical systems engineers stay up to date on the latest innovations. This “go-to” source for engineering professionals, to be published four times in 2012, covers the engineering of electronics and avionics within the vehicle as well as the systems that connect vehicles to the energy and telecommunications infrastructure. The major content focus is on the engineering of vehicle systems that enable greater performance, safety, and comfort/convenience especially in software and electronic control, in-vehicle networking, and vehicle-to-vehicle and -infrastructure communications. Each issue includes exclusive feature articles along with the best SAE technology articles on electronics and connectivity. 2012 Publishing Schedule March 1 May 30 September 5 November 28

editorial
As vehicles become more connected and autonomous vehicles become reality, automotive companies will be faced with a new challenge: introducing the concept of driverless systems to a cautious purchasing public, many of whom consider driving to be an emotional experience. Interestingly enough, one individual who considers driving to be a pleasure is Anthony Levandowski, Business Lead for Google’s Self-Driving Car Project and a keynote speaker at next month’s SAE 2012 World Congress. “For a lot of people driving is a pleasure, including myself, [but] sometimes you have situations where driving is a distraction and you don’t actually want to be in control,” Levandowski said at the “Vehicle Connectivity: Integrating Automotive and Consumer Electronics” panel at SEMA 2011. “We also think that some of the technology that’s coming on line now allows us to build a better driver. You can actually increase and build the performance of the best drivers in the world inside every single vehicle.” The market for the sensors that are driving autonomous technology is growing at an expansive rate. According to IHS Automotive, two key sensors for autonomous driving applications—park assist cameras and lane-departure warning cameras—are expected to grow every year for each of the next five years, from 3.4 million units in 2012 (double the 1.7 million units of 2011) to an ex-

February 23, 2011

The driving experience going the way of the dodo?
pected 18 million units by 2015. While reducing driver workload, automating certain tasks, and making the roads safer, autonomous technology will also open new doors never before imagined, such as cars that are able to be used on demand and park themselves. This also brings accessability to people that are unable to drive cars themselves because of age or a physical ailment. Another exciting opportunity for this technology comes in the form of vehicle sharing. “Right now, all of our cars are parked somewhere and nobody is using them,” Levandowski said. “We’d love to be able to unlock the vehicles to reduce congestion because you no longer have to drive to work, park, sit there all day, and then drive back. That car can be doing something else while you are not using it.” The only way any of this can be possible is by developing technology, such as that discussed in this premier edition of SAE electronics+connectivity, to create a car that’s safer at driving than you are yourself. “We’re very excited about seeing the potential of computer technology in cars to create a safer driver and at the same time relieve us of the mundane tasks of driving and go back to enjoying driving on the highway on a curvy road in Malibu, or whatever the location that you might enjoy,” Levandowski said.
Matthew Monaghan Assistant Editor

SAE electronics + connectivity™, March 1, 2012, Volume 1, Number 1, (ISSN 2164-6899) is published 4 times a year by SAE International®. SAE is not responsible for the accuracy of information in the editorial, articles, and advertising sections of this publication. Readers should independently evaluate the accuracy of any statement in the editorial, articles, and advertising sections of this publication that are important to him/her and rely on his/her independent evaluation. For permission to use content in other media, contact copyright@sae.org. To purchase reprints, contact advertising@sae.org. Copyright © 2012 by SAE International®. The SAE electronics + connectivity™ title is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark

SAE electronics+connectivity

March 1, 2012

Electronics & Connectivity - March 1, 2012

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Electronics & Connectivity - March 1, 2012