In-vehicle Semiconductors and MaaS: Technologies for the New Future of Transportation

Mobility as a Service (MaaS) is revolutionizing the way we get from A to B. These days, kickboards and shared bikes are a common sight around town. This new direction is not only changing the way we commute, but is also rapidly increasing the demand for advanced technologies, especially in the areas of in-vehicle semiconductors and automotive engineering services.

MaaS harmonizes different modes of transportation, such as public transportation, ride-sharing and bike-sharing, into one digital accessible through a single digital platform to provide a seamless and integrated transportation solution. As cities around the world struggle with traffic congestion and environmental pollution, MaaS is bringing a revolution that promises sustainable, efficient, and cost-effective urban mobility, accelerating digitalization and underpinning the growing demand for advanced automotive engineering solutions and automotive product technologies, especially in the semiconductor sector. This automotive semiconductor area is our focus. This automotive semiconductor area is playing a key role in shaping our future.

Rapid growth of the automotive semiconductor market

The rapid growth of the automotive semiconductor market reflects the importance of semiconductors in the MaaS ecosystem: according to a report by Fortune Business Insights, the global automotive semiconductor market is expected to grow from $59.22 billion in 2022 to $103.85 billion by 2029 at a CAGR of 8.4%. This significant growth is expected to be fueled by the growing demand for electric cars and electric vehicles. This significant growth is associated with the increasing adoption of electric and self-driving vehicles and the integration of advanced technologies in traditional vehicles.

Automotive engineering services and vehicle manufacturers are at the forefront of this growth trajectory, actively developing innovative solutions to meet the evolving demands of the industry. From designing energy-saving chips designed for electrically powered vehicles to enhancing cybersecurity measures for connected cars, automotive engineers are constantly pushing the boundaries of what semiconductors can achieve in the mobility sector.

Role of semiconductors in Mobility as a Service (MaaS)

At the heart of the MaaS revolution is the automotive semiconductor industry. These microscopic silicon growths are enabling the intelligence and connectivity needed to operate seamlessly within the modern vehicle MaaS ecosystem.

Below is a closer look at how in-vehicle semiconductors are used in mobility services and vehicles.

♦ Connectivity and Communication Communication
MaaS focuses on the communication of real-time data between vehicles, infrastructure, and users. Semiconductors drive onboard communication systems to connect and interact with vehicles and the broader transportation network, enabling secure and efficient information exchange, including V2V (vehicle-to-vehicle) or V2I (vehicle-to-infrastructure) communication.

Cellular modems: These semiconductor components enable vehicles to connect to cellular networks and exchange data with other vehicles, infrastructure, and users.
Ethernet controllers: These chips facilitate high-speed data communication between various vehicle systems, such as infotainment systems, sensors, and control units.
Wireless communication modules (radio modules): These semiconductors enable vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communications using technologies such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to prevent unauthorized access and interception of data transmitted within the vehicle.

♦ Sensors and Recognition
Self-driving vehicles are a key component of MaaS. To navigate and make decisions in real time, these vehicles rely on an array of different sensors, including LiDAR, radar, and cameras. In-vehicle semiconductors are at the heart of these sensor technologies, processing large amounts of data and enabling the vehicle to “see” and “react” to its environment.

LiDAR processors: These semiconductor chips process the data captured by LiDAR sensors, measuring distances and creating detailed 3D maps of the vehicle’s surroundings.
– Radar signal processors: These semiconductors analyze radar signals received by the vehicle’s radar sensors and These semiconductors analyze the radar signals received by the vehicle’s radar sensors to detect and track objects such as other vehicles and pedestrians.
Image Signal Processors (ISPs): These chips process data from a vehicle’s onboard camera, enabling it to recognize and interpret visual information such as traffic signs and lane markings.

♦ Data Processing and AI
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the driving force behind MaaS and is used in algorithms for predictive maintenance, route optimization, and dispatch services. In-vehicle semiconductors are key elements that support the large amount of computation required to make AI-based decisions.

Central Processing Units (CPUs ): These semiconductors are the primary processing units in the vehicle and perform the complex algorithms and calculations required for AI-based decision-making processes.
Image processing units (GPUs ): These chips accelerate the processing of graphical data and computer vision algorithms used in AI applications such as automated driving.
Neural Network Accelerators: These specialized semiconductors accelerate the execution of neural network models used in AI applications, enabling faster and more efficient data processing.

♦ Cyber Security
As Mobility as a Service (MaaS) becomes increasingly popular, more and more connected cars are connected to the Internet, and with that comes an increased risk of cyber attacks. Semiconductor technology is playing a critical role in addressing this risk. As the automotive industry increasingly promotes connected services and automated driving technologies, demand for semiconductors with enhanced cybersecurity is growing rapidly. These semiconductors provide robust security features that are essential to reliably protect vehicles from potential threats and breaches.

Secure microcontrollers: These semiconductor components provide a secure environment for storing and executing sensitive software and cryptographic algorithms, protecting vehicle systems from unauthorized access or tampering.
Intrusion detection systems: These chips monitor vehicle network traffic and behavior to detect suspicious activity and potential cyber attacks and trigger appropriate security measures.
Secure communication modules: These semiconductors ensure secure communication between different vehicle systems and prevent unauthorized access or interception of data transmitted within the vehicle.

Conclusion (MaaS)

As Mobility as a Service becomes increasingly popular, the automotive semiconductor industry will play an increasingly important role in shaping the future of transportation. These advanced technologies supply the intelligence, connectivity, and efficiency necessary for MaaS to thrive. The semiconductor boom in next-generation mobility services is not just a technological revolution, but an important industry that will revolutionize the way we live, commute, and communicate in our urban environments.

If you are interested in advancing your career in the automotive semiconductor or automotive industry, please feel free to contact us. Turnpoint Consulting Our team of consultants specializing in automotive semiconductors can provide you with information and advice on job opportunities in the automotive semiconductor industry.

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Supervision: Turnpoint Consulting Media Team (Translation and Editing: Shintaro Kondo)
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