Battery and engine aside, one critical factor of a highly reliable electric vehicle (EV) that’s rarely discussed is its embedded software. An embedded system includes hardware and software applications built to perform specific tasks.
A conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) has complex mechanical systems for controlling and managing the vehicle. This engine has more than 2,000 mechanical parts. However, the electric motor of an EV is more straightforward in that the control and management of the vehicle are entirely assigned to the embedded software.
The software is essential for proper EV management. For example, predictive maintenance software is a critical component for the safe functioning of the battery and battery-management system (BMS).
Embedded software also performs several other tasks in an EV, discussed below.
Operation
To a certain extent, the software in an electric vehicle replaces the mechanical system found in ICE vehicles, and it’s responsible for multiple aspects of how an EV functions. It controls the vehicle’s BMS, electric motor, and power electronics — which are responsible for converting the dc voltage from the battery to the ac voltage required by the motor. Embedded software controls this process and ensures power is delivered efficiently and reliably.
Software also controls the motor’s speed and torque, determining how fast the vehicle accelerates and how much power is used. It ensures the motor operates within safe temperature limits and prevents overload.
Maintenance
EV maintenance and repairs are different from those of conventional vehicles, partially because of the significant role of embedded software. Predictive maintenance is important to ensure optimal vehicle performance, prevent breakdowns, and extend a vehicle’s lifespan.
Predictive maintenance software can send real-time alerts to schedule maintenance before a breakdown occurs. The software monitors and collects data from the different components and systems in the EV, notifying the driver of any potential concerns based on the vehicle’s specifications. This helps prevent unexpected downtime and potentially reduces repair costs. It also analyzes data from various sensors installed in the EV, such as those measuring battery voltage, motor temperature, and tire pressure.
Navigation
Since EV’s have a limited range based on battery power, so software provides data about the status of the battery and can predict the travel distance between charges. Smart navigation software can also offer the shortest and least busy route to a destination to make the best use of the battery — and locate the closest charging stations.
Safety
Embedded software is critical to the safety of EVs, ensuring they operate properly while protecting against potential hazards. Electronic control systems in electric vehicles are more tightly coupled than conventional ICEs. The connectivity among onboard embedded systems in an EV must ensure vehicle safety and performance.
Along with monitoring and helping maintain the vehicle’s performance, some EVs have software that can detect potential collisions, using sensors and cameras that warn the driver or automatically apply the brakes if necessary.
Performance
Software is essential for operation and supports improvements in vehicle design in EVs. Diagnostic data is shared with cloud servers that analyze it to improve safety and performance. This is important because EV manufacturers still have challenges to overcome.
The industry must find viable ways to reduce the cost premium while increasing the driving range and reducing the charging time. Battery safety is another area that requires more R&D. The data collected is also useful in determining locations and improvements for new charging infrastructure.
Updates
Software updates in conventional vehicles are typically done through cables. On the other hand, EV software is mostly done wirelessly through over-the-air (OTA) updates. It’s extremely important that the software is updated regularly and upgraded as needed to ensure vehicle safety, security, and functionality.
Embedded software must also include cybersecurity features, such as encryption and secure communication protocols, to protect against hacking and unauthorized access to vehicle systems.
Autonomous driving
EVs have paved the way for the development of connected and autonomous driving. The reliance on software control for the entire operation of the vehicle means they can be automated more easily than ICEs.
Software for EVs that enables autonomous driving has the potential to improve safety, reduce congestion, and increase efficiency on the road. The software uses advanced sensors, machine learning algorithms, and mapping technology.
However, there are still obstacles before autonomous driving becomes mainstream. For example, connected cars require extensive infrastructure involving the Internet of Things (IoT), which must operate to communicate and navigate safely in real time without fail. Road safety is also a concern that must be addressed before driverless cars hit the road.
Additionally, while EVs continuously improve their battery efficiency to achieve the most extended driving range, autonomous vehicles require a lot of energy overhead for the sensors, connectivity, and computing. The EV industry must address the need to achieve higher driving ranges while cutting costs and reducing charging times. Despite these challenges, EVs offer a significant first step toward developing autonomous and connected cars.
Conclusion
Embedded software is crucial for EV operation, as it plays a vital role in the vehicle’s operation, maintenance, navigation, safety, and security. This technology has already achieved significant milestones, but there is room for improvement. The primary goals for EV development are to increase their driving range, reduce charging times, and lower costs while ensuring safety standards are met.
Only all-electric vehicles with embedded software can become fully autonomous in the future. The automotive software involved in communicating with sensors, connecting to IoT infrastructure, and computing navigation and movement will play a key role in achieving this. Overall, the continued development of embedded software for EVs is essential for the growth and success of the industry and the future of autonomous driving.
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Filed Under: Safety Systems, Software