Page 64 - SAEINDIA Magazine December 2020

LIGHTWEIGHT

Feature

Musk claimed the new single-piece casting design,
and the goliath IDRA machine that will produce it will
deliver a 30% reduction in the size of the body shop.
He added that the process probably will transfer to
Model 3 production as well. “That’s the thing we want
to bring to bear on the Model 3 over time,” he said.

Potential caveats
Munro said Tesla is pondering a similar strategy for
the front of the Model Y. And a large casting probably Continuous innovation for the new Model Y is expected to carry into
makes changes to the affected structure a less- other Tesla models.
expensive proposition than “trying to change a bunch changes also could easily be accommodated by such an
of stamping dies.” Alterations such as wheelbase architecture, he said.

THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO IN-CAR ENTERTAINMENT BY

DR. NEALE FOSTER

The recently published eBook The Definitive Guide to In-Car Entertainment is a
compilation of blogs written by Dr. Neale Foster, CEO, ACCESS Europe.

In his foreword to the eBook, Dr. Foster says, “The world There are a whole host of factors that determine how
is in a very different place to when this eBook was people choose the car they buy, writes Dr. Foster in
originally published as a series of blogs. The COVID-19 Embracing the Next Generation In-Vehicle-Infotainment.
pandemic has changed everyone’s lives, both in and out He asks, does it have ‘curb appeal’? Does the brand
of work…..As the industry takes stock, we believe that resonate with the buyer? Does it feel special sitting in the
right now is a great time to be publishing this Guide….the driver’s seat? Will the kids love sitting in the back? Does
importance of connectivity has been magnified during it come with all the necessary extras at the right price? Of
the COVID-19 crisis and these past few months have course all these factors matter, but increasingly the in-car
highlighted why it’s such a fundamental part of all our entertainment system can be the decider. So, getting the In-
lives….the automotive sector has a 150-year history, with Vehicle-Infotainment system right really matters for OEMs.
its production lines having manufactured over 2 billion As we enter a new decade, basic radio and rather awkward
vehicles. It will recover, re-build its strength and continue Bring-Your-Own-Device experiences are unlikely to
to innovate and drive forward, towards a new, connected satisfy drivers and passengers as the only forms of in-car
in-car lifestyle.”
entertainment. In Entertainment content for the connected
In the eight chapters, Dr. Forester car, Dr. Foster feels that the car OEMs understand this and
writes about various aspects of In- are evaluating the best way to deliver on the potential of
Vehicle-Infotainment that will define the connected car concept. He quotes Pieter Nota, BMW
the automobile of the future. board member: ‘It’s not just about having big screens in
your vehicle, it’s about the content you can have on those
In Why does In-Vehicle-Infotainment
matter to the automotive industry? screens and what you can offer that’s important, in terms
Dr. Foster writes: Times are changing. of things like the best possible integration of music in your
People expect connectivity in every aspect of their lives, vehicle.’
particularly in the car. Now more than ever, the global Dr. Foster says that the car radio is still the most widely
automotive industry needs….to prepare for a new, always- appreciated form of in-vehicle entertainment. Today
connected, consumer-centric digital era. writes Dr. Foster in Next-generation radio and audio

62 DECEMBER 2020 MOBILITY ENGINEERING