Tech Briefs Magazine - May 2024 - 15

ingly toward the development of vehicle
software and bespoke electronics
that drive differentiation and thus create
the greatest competitive advantage.
The availability of powerful integrated
circuit devices and faster in-vehicle
data networks has enabled automakers
to evolve in-vehicle software into
sophisticated vehicle-level operating
systems and software platforms upon
which various higher-level functions
can be built.
The popularity of these features and
functions represents the arrival of a
new paradigm in the automotive industry,
built on the capabilities of software
and electronics systems. The arrival of
this paradigm brings significant opportunities
for automotive companies to
develop innovative vehicles and new
sales and service models. However, this
transition in the automotive industry
coincides with significant challenges
that include growing vehicle complexity,
labor shortages in engineering and
manufacturing roles, and a persisting
unease around the resiliency of global
supply chains.
Expanding the Digital Twin
Digital transformation can help automakers
overcome these challenges and
maximize the opportunities available in
the future. Companies that build and
execute a long-term digitalization plan
will evolve beyond connecting data into
higher level functions such as automation
of data management and eventually
the closed-loop optimization of vehicle
platforms, software, manufacturing,
and more.
At the heart of this transformation is
the concept of a comprehensive digital
twin of the vehicle, covering every aspect
of the vehicle and its associated production
processes, over its entire lifecycle.
Such a digital twin becomes the backbone
of product development - capable
of delivering greater insight, reducing
development cycle time, improving
efficiency, and increasing market agility.
This comprehensive digital twin has
the following characteristics:
* Offers a precise virtual representation
of the product or process flow that
matches the exact physical form, functions
and behavior of the product and
its configurations.
* Participates across the product and
process lifecycle to simulate, predict,
and optimize the product and production
system used to create the product.
Tech Briefs, May 2024
Like in other industries, automotive customers are increasingly interested in the advanced features
and functionalities available on the market. (Image: Siemens)
* Connects real-world operational data
back into product design and production
over the lifetime of the product to
continuously improve quality, efficiency,
and quickly respond to customer
demands or market conditions.
The comprehensive digital twin will
act as the foundation for the collaborative,
integrated approach demanded
by modern vehicles, bringing the
mechanical, electrical, electronic, and
software domains together to design a
complete system. In addition to improving
the sharing of data among all stakeholders,
the comprehensive digital twin
facilitates the translation of that data
into actionable insights that can help
reduce cycle times, increase efficiency,
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and improve market agility. The result
is a distinct competitive advantage in
meeting growing customer demands
for greater performance and smarter
features while also helping to overcome
the challenges of growing complexity,
shifting workforces, and the need for
sustainable designs.
Taking the Lead with the
Comprehensive Digital Twin
BYD has embraced digital transformation
and the comprehensive digital
twin on its path to becoming the largest
manufacturer of electric vehicles in
the world.
BYD must respond to high demand
for new hybrid and electric vehicle
15
Customers today are most intrigued by advanced features enabled by software and electronics.
(Image: poba/Getty Images)
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Tech Briefs Magazine - May 2024

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