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Time of India
16-07-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Decoding future: AI, software-defined vehicles & space ambitions
As the auto industry shifts gears toward a tech-driven future, this month's AutoTech coverage delves deep into how artificial intelligence, software-defined vehicles (SDVs), silicon carbide, and even space exploration are shaping the next decade of mobility. From India's R&D shifts to global trends, here's your concise roundup of key stories. AI and ML: At the Centre of Tomorrow's Mobility As India's automotive ecosystem evolves, AI and machine learning are no longer just buzzwords—they are actively steering design, production, and predictive maintenance. From real-time decision making in autonomous systems to enabling hyper-personalised in-car experiences, AI/ML is becoming core to next-gen vehicle development. Read more Tata Technologies Bets Big on Software-Defined Vehicles With OEMs shifting engineering budgets to software, Tata Technologies is scaling up SDV expertise. The company is deploying embedded systems, virtual validation tools, and AI-powered platforms to help global OEMs transition from traditional mechanical engineering to software-first development cycles. Full story Tesla's Grok AI to Debut in Vehicles Next Week Elon Musk confirmed that Tesla's in-house conversational AI model, Grok, will be available in vehicles starting next week. Grok will enhance in-car voice interaction, knowledge retrieval, and perhaps even entertainment, marking another leap toward AI-integrated smart mobility. Details here AI Now Monitors Rental Car Damage—Down to the Ding Rental agencies are using AI to automate damage detection and dispute resolution. Cameras and machine learning models capture vehicle conditions pre- and post-ride, making it harder to dispute scratches and dents. It's a controversial but growing use case in AI-led asset management. Explore more What If AI Disappeared from Automotive? A thought experiment turns into a reality check. Without AI, modern safety systems, real-time navigation, predictive diagnostics, and even EV energy management would collapse. This feature examines how deeply AI has integrated into core mobility systems. Read analysis Silicon Carbide: The EV Efficiency Game-Changer Silicon carbide (SiC) semiconductors are reshaping the EV industry by improving power efficiency, reducing charging times, and extending range. As more OEMs move toward SiC-based inverters and motor controllers, this compound semiconductor is poised to be foundational to next-gen EVs. Full explainer Uber's India Pivot: New Affordable & Inclusive Features Uber has launched a suite of features aimed at improving affordability and access in India. These include vehicle choice filters, upfront fare controls, and accessibility tools, signaling a deeper localisation strategy in one of its biggest growth markets. Know more From Highways to Orbit: Why Carmakers Are Going to Space Toyota and Honda are among the OEMs now exploring space technology. With investments in lunar rovers and satellite systems, automakers are expanding beyond earth-based mobility to support R&D, connectivity, and even planetary exploration. Discover why This week, ETAuto offers a comprehensive look at the rapid evolution of automotive technology—from sensors and software to battery innovations, policy shifts, charging infrastructure, and futuristic concepts like hyperloops. Stay with us as we track every turn in the road to tomorrow's We'd love to hear what you think about this edition of the newsletter! Your feedback and suggestions help us improve and deliver content that matters to you.
Time of India
16-07-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Why Silicon Carbide (SiC) is transforming future of electric vehicles
The global shift towards electric vehicles (EVs) is not just a matter of replacing petrol with batteries. At the core of this transformation lies a revolution in power electronics with SiC emerging as the enabler. SiC is fast replacing traditional silicon in key EV components, which otherwise suffer sharper drawbacks when it comes to efficiency, performance, and reliability. Silicon carbide is a compound semiconductor material with a very wide bandgap, high thermal conductivity, and able to operate at higher voltages and temperatures than conventional silicon. Special, intrinsic properties of SiC find critical suitability in the harsh environment of EVs, where efficiency, weight reduction, and reliability constitute the high priorities. Today, SiC enters major EV areas, such as: Inverters: Conversion of DC from the battery to AC for the motor (propulsion).DC-DC Converters: Step-down high-voltage battery power for auxiliary Chargers: Controlling the charging process from external Charging System (MCS): Connecting to high-power lines for faster charging. Key Benefits Operating with Higher Efficiency: Reduced switching and conduction losses in SiC devices mean less energy wasted as heat. This also means a greater driving range and better energy utilisation. Compact and Lightweight: The enhanced qualities of SiC allow for smaller, lightweight components, freeing space and adding to the reduction in vehicle Performance: Being good in heat dissipation, SiC requires less bulky cooling systems and can pave the way for reliable operation at elevated Charging: Since SiC-based chargers can be run more efficiently at high voltages, they can support faster charging of EV Cost Charging Stations: Integrated solid-state transformers utilizing high-voltage SiC devices (≥ 3.3 kV) reduce MCS cost, weight, and size. SiC's Impact on EV Performance MetricSiC vs Silicon PerformanceInverter EfficiencySiC: up to 99.1% vs Silicon: 97.1%Range Increase5% to 10% more range with SiCPower Loss ReductionUp to 70% lower switching lossesWeight and SizeInverters up to 40% lighter, 30% smallerCharging TimeSiC enables 800V (and higher) systems, halving charge timeBattery Cost SavingsSiC inverter can reduce battery size for same range, saving up to 5 per vehicle Major car makers are making use of SiC in their newest EVs. In the case of Audi, the use of SiC inverters has enhanced efficiency by nearly 60per cent under certain operating conditions. The 800V battery probably would not have come onstage if SiC had not been there, and it is now gaining traction in high-performance models from Kia, Hyundai, and Lucid, offering really fast charging and extended range. Additionally, the electrification of heavy-duty vehicles, such as buses, construction equipment and tractors, is also a significant and growing trend. These heavy-duty EVs are bigger and heavier than passenger EVs and require higher-power levels for propulsion and charging. To address these higher-power requirements, the adoption of higher battery voltages, particularly around 1500V, combined with higher-voltage SiC technology, plays a crucial role in enabling the electrification of heavy-duty vehicles. The increased efficiency of SiC-based systems results in less energy elimination and extends the range of EVs; and, therefore, reduces its overall impact on the environment. Small batteries equate to lighter vehicles that will consume fewer resources and emit fewer emissions during its lifespan. The other side of the coin is better reliability and durability that ultimately result in reduced maintenance and lower cost of ownership. Silicon carbide is no ordinary material technology; rather, it is becoming a truly defining factor for the new generation of EVs, fast charging infrastructure, and electrified transportation overall, such as eVTOL (Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing) aircraft. By giving rise to greater efficiencies, longer ranges, shorter charge times, and smaller sizes, SiC directly addresses some of the greatest impediments to mass EV acceptance. With ongoing R&D, the role of SiC in shaping and enabling the future of sustainable mobility will get stronger; empower energy to do more.
Asahi Shimbun
02-06-2025
- Science
- Asahi Shimbun
Silicon carbide chips created to work in extreme heat, radiation
HIROSHIMA—Researchers said they have developed a durable silicon carbide-based semiconductor that enables electronic devices to function in extreme conditions, such as at crippled nuclear power plants and outer space. The new chip was produced by Hiroshima University and Phenitec Semiconductor Corp. Silicon carbide (SiC), comprising silicon and carbon, has higher thermal and electronic properties than traditional silicon used in chips. SiC semiconductors can operate in temperatures of 500 degrees and after absorbing radiation exceeding 1,000 kilograys. Normal silicon chips are designed to withstand temperatures of 150 degrees and radiation absorption of up to 1 kilogray. Shinichiro Kuroki, professor of electronic systems at the university's Research Institute for Semiconductor Engineering who led the project, underlined the importance of developing such high-performance semiconductors. 'As one of the most urgent tasks, we need to develop chips that can carry out the decommissioning work at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant,' Kuroki said at a recent news conference. 'The new chips are expected to play an important role in other industrial applications, as well.' The university and Phenitec Semiconductor, which is based in Okayama Prefecture, joined forces in May 2024 to design and make a prototype of the SiC chips. The tie-up reflects a growing urgency to transfer the technology to a private-sector company for mass production for a wide range of products. The front-end, or wafer, process was completed in April, with Phenitec handing the prototype wafer to the university. The project has received funding from the central government as a program aimed at advancing scientific research and development at key universities in local regions. SiC-based semiconductors are also expected to reduce the need for cooling systems in integrated-circuit components in electric vehicles and to be used for space exploration probes, including on Venus. Hiroyuki Ishii, president of Phenitec, hailed the completion of the prototype at the news conference. 'There are several stages toward the production of integrated circuits and we have made a big step forward,' he said. 'We hope to bring the new chips to commercial applications.'
