Impact of chip crunch on ‘computers on wheels’
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EDAG Group, a German-based engineering services company for the automotive industry is investing heavily in future mobility. It looks to Malaysia to spearhead and become their future mobility hub in this region.
With cars increasingly becoming ‘computers on wheels’ due to requiring so much semiconductors to enable connected services, how much of an impact from the global chip crunch does EDAG see happening among the auto-makers that they serve?
“We can support them by redesigning certain components to see how there can be use of other semiconductors. But, we see the current supply shortage as being a critical factor (towards vehicle production).
Eugen Gulinksy, EDAG’s Head of Mobility responded, “We are still suffering shortages, and our customers are still struggling to produce vehicles.
“We can support them by redesigning certain components to see how there can be use of other semiconductors. But, we see the current supply shortage as being a critical factor (towards vehicle production).
“I don’t think we can really get around (the shortage) somehow.”
Possible workarounds?
According to Eugen, some vehicle electronics components have a certain hardware design that relies on certain specific chips. “If feasible, you can change the hardware design, and switch to other chips, he said adding that EDAG also offers hardware design services to facilitate this move.
At the end of the day, he observed that besides the technical feasibility of using different semiconductors, it all boils down to being a financial decision.
“That’s what you could do. But it’s not always feasible, and especially if auto-makers are in the middle of mass-producing vehicles, it’s really difficult to do so,” Eugen explained.
At the end of the day, he observed that besides the technical feasibility of using different semiconductors, it all boils down to being a financial decision.
EDAG may help car makers out with layout of the components, or consult about certain components, but ultimately auto-makers would select specific solutions/semiconductors for their cars.
“It is not the best solution for the problem we are facing; there are some components that are really needed and we can’t work around.”
Chip selection
EDAG may help car makers out with layout of the components, or consult about certain components, but ultimately auto-makers would select specific solutions/semiconductors for their cars.
These automakers would also work with semiconductor players, on creating specific chips for their specific optimisation demands. These are not just for general purpose chips, but chips for automotive-specific purposes like cameras for driver-assistance systems, Eugen said.