Samsung Semiconductor: Memory Technologies in Vehicles

When IAA MOBILITY 2023 takes place in Munich from September 5-10, 2023 under the motto "Experience Connected Mobility", the world's leading platform for mobility, sustainability and technology will welcome the largest and most important companies from the automotive, technology, bicycle and micromobility industries. In addition to leading German companies, these include many internationally renowned companies, including Samsung Semiconductor as a partner of IAA MOBILITY 2023. Richard Walsh, VP and Head of Memory Marketing, and Jens Kahrweg, VP and Head of System LSI Marketing at Samsung Semiconductor Europe, told us about the three trends they see in the future of the automotive industry.

1. Autonomous driving

The transition from advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) to full autonomous driving has been a long time coming. After 10 years of excited discussion, we’re now beginning to see meaningful progress. In fact, in the next 5 – 10 years, with the current pace of ADAS and autonomous driving, I predict we’ll see at least 50% of cars capable of driving autonomously on motorways. Just this year, Germany became the first country to recognise Level 3 automated driving from Mercedes, permitting drivers to take their hands off the wheel at speeds up to 60kmph in select models. As this shift towards full autonomy gains momentum, the technology underpinning these systems generates increasing amounts of data. This requires ever greater processing power and larger, more capable, memory solutions. For example, while infotainment features have long been a focus in car interiors, the evolution towards Level 3 autonomy opens up opportunities for genuine entertainment and communication experiences for both passengers and drivers. From movies and games to video conferencing, the car will become a true ‘server on wheels’, engaging occupants with a variety of applications we can’t yet imagine today.

2. Centralised computing

The modern car is already an incredibly sophisticated machine. As vehicle computing becomes more complex, we can expect to see manufacturers seeking to simplify and streamline systems wherever possible. This means reducing the large number of individual control units in favour of more zonal control units, as well as centralising functionality of the CPU — larger amounts of memory consolidated in fewer units. This is where we’ll soon see more widespread adoption of memory devices such as SSDs in cars. Previously, SSDs have been geared towards products like PCs and servers. Until now, they haven’t really been used in the car, which hasn’t required the high performance an SSD provides. As we look to the next 4 – 6 years, with greater automotive technology capabilities, data processing and centralization, we’ll see SSDs used more and more in the industry. This introduction of SSDs will allow manufacturers to really step things up and begin to do things differently. As it has always been the case: if we can provide the correct tools, creative people will build innovative solutions.

3. V2X (vehicle-to-everything) communication

Another exciting trend we see on the horizon is that of V2X communication. Many modern cars can already communicate with smart infrastructure — traffic lights initiating a red-light countdown clock in a driver dashboard, for example. However, as more and more ADAS-enabled and autonomous cars arrive on the road, we’ll see much more car to car comms. For instance, when all cars in an area are driving autonomously, an interesting feature becomes possible. Cars will no longer need to “see” brake lights in front in order to know when to brake themselves — local communication among the cars will notify those behind to brake. As vehicles become more connected to the outside world and

each other, data connectivity assumes vital importance. This is where 5G technology will come into play, as the industry embraces the potential of V2X communication, facilitating safer and more efficient driving. Smarter motorways, pedestrian crossing warnings, and synchronised traffic lights are just a few examples of how connectivity will transform the driving experience.

1.“Screenification” and in-transit experiences

The digitalization of vehicles is revolutionizing the way we interact with our cars, changing driving from something we ‘do’ to something we ‘experience’. Perhaps the most evident example of this is the growing adoption of in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) systems, designed to provide passengers with a seamless and immersive experience, integrating entertainment, and advanced features. These infotainment solutions mean more driver and passenger interaction, which ultimately means incorporating more advanced (and more numerous) displays. At this year’s CES, we’ve already seen displays applied to steering wheels and even the curved ultrawide displays applied to automobiles. To meet the growing demands of advanced IVI systems, component technologies are having to evolve, with processors such as the Exynos Auto V being specially designed to support up to six display controllers and operating systems.

2. Sensor technology for safe driving

In recent years, the number of sensors throughout our vehicles has increased dramatically. The ISOCELL Auto 4AC is the first ISOCELL image sensor optimized for automotive applications. This latest generation of image sensors mounts HD resolution with advanced high dynamic range and flicker mitigation, making them perfect not only for basic functions such as assisted parking, but also to reduce distractions in fast-changing lighting conditions — providing a safer driving experience. But while most of us are aware of the role of sensors outside our cars, many drivers don’t realise that sensors are also all around them inside their vehicles. At this year’s show we’re expecting to see a much greater emphasis on internal safety sensors, used to not only monitor vehicles, but also drivers themselves. By tracking physical activities such as blinking rates, internal sensors combined with AI algorithms detects when a person becomes tired, stepping in with a notification or safety alert if a driver becomes at risk of falling asleep at the wheel. Increasingly we should expect these types of sensor-based systems to become a mandatory safety feature of modern vehicles.

3. Sustainability, more than just EVs

As the world’s largest automotive show, it’s impossible to talk about IAA MOBILITY without addressing the huge focus on electric vehicles and the technology that drives them forward, from super batteries to smart charging stations. But alongside the electric vehicles being showcased, IAA MOBILITY will also see a bigger conversation taking place about the role of sustainability across the entire automotive industry. From a system level perspective, automobiles must now meet sustainability standards across the board. From a combination of consumer pressure, global regulation and CO2 neutrality targets, every electronics device (down to the smallest component) must be produced sustainably and with a focus on reducing consumption and increasing efficiency. At this year’s show, I’ll be excited to share Samsung’s own advancements in this area, updating on our goal to make the most sustainable supply chains possible for the automotive industry.

At IAA MOBILITY, Samsung Semiconductor will showcase the steps it is taking to create the most sustainable supply chains for the automotive industry.