IRVINE, CA – TiE SoCal hosted a discussion on Trends and Technology – Transforming the Automotive Land Scape at Real Office Center here on Sept 20. Anshuman Sinha, Executive Director, welcomed members and speakers and spoke about TiE, its work and upcoming events. He then introduced Dave Naidu, TiEcon Southwest 2018 chair and asked him to talk about the November 17 annual convention to be held in the Long Beach Convention Center.
Sinha then requested Ravi Kondagunta, a Mobility and Automotive Innovation Leader, to moderate the discussion.
It was revealed that Southern California is a hotbed of autonomous vehicles and a trend setter in the automotive industry. The automotive industry which is in the midst of the greatest transformation in over a century. The convergence of new technologies, changing regulatory landscape, globalization, and a fast-changing customer has created a dramatic upheaval of the traditional industry giving rise to new brands and technologies - the like of which have not been seen for close to 100 years.
Kondagunta introduced the panelists, Kim Reynolds, Testing Director, Motor Trend; Manish Mehrotra, Director Digital Business Planning & Connected Operations, Hyundai Motor America; Sameer V Rao, CFO, Enevate Corporation; and Jamie Garelli, CEO of Bringpro
The main topic of discussion was the changing trends of transportation and how people would perceive their mobility in coming years. Mehrotra, said everyone was making good cars these days. Though Toyota and Honda were selling more than Hyundai, Hyundai is focusing on experience and delivering what customers want. Rao said currently there are around ten electric vehicles (EVs) models but by 2025 there will be around 85 models. Mehrotra added that EVs will have a better range and batteries could be replaced within 15-20 minutes when needed. Charging stations would be needed every 25-30 miles for the ease of EV drivers. Enevate Corporation is working on developing fast charging batteries for EVs.
Today millennials are looking to buy high end SUVs and sedans are going out. Mehrotra said, there may be decline in sedan sales but they will still be around in future as sedans are still easier to maneuver than SUVs.
Garelli said he was really excited about EVs as his company spends around 5% of their monthly budget on fuel cost. Reynolds said EVs are so quite inside that you can hear the tires grinding on the road. He had suggested to Tesla to add some sound inside the car to muffle the tire grinding sound but his proposal was rejected.
The panelists agreed that technology autonomy is real. It may not replace everything. However, all auto manufacturers are investing in it. Why so? because autonomous vehicles will reduce accidents, increase safety and will make life more valuable. It is an attractive technology for the elderly population as they will enjoy life more as it will be easier for them to move around without the fear of driving. Reynolds said, another feature of EVs being developed is remote control to maneuver EVs through difficult situations where EV cameras might experience some confusion. Garelli who is in delivery business, said, his company would benefit the most with development of autonomous technology.
5G is making mobility hyper customized, available on demand, available everywhere and a seamless experience. Mobility is being powered by convergence of these technologies – Uber Service, 3D imaging, and Smart Connectivity. It gives customers what they want and when we want it.
Technology Subscription is being developed for ease of customers. This will be an In-App technology that will help search for driver licenses, ease of car buying/leasing.This segment of customers is very small but may increase as this technology is more widely available.
Hydrogen fuel cell is another technology being developed in partnership with University of California,Irvine. It is environmentally friendly but has a very small share as of now. The problem is infrastructure. There are not enough filling stations.The trucking industry can benefit the most as they will need fewer fill stations on their route.
The presentation ended with a general discussion and a Q & A session.
It was revealed that Southern California is a hotbed of autonomous vehicles and a trend setter in the automotive industry. The automotive industry which is in the midst of the greatest transformation in over a century. The convergence of new technologies, changing regulatory landscape, globalization, and a fast-changing customer has created a dramatic upheaval of the traditional industry giving rise to new brands and technologies - the like of which have not been seen for close to 100 years.
Kondagunta introduced the panelists, Kim Reynolds, Testing Director, Motor Trend; Manish Mehrotra, Director Digital Business Planning & Connected Operations, Hyundai Motor America; Sameer V Rao, CFO, Enevate Corporation; and Jamie Garelli, CEO of Bringpro
The main topic of discussion was the changing trends of transportation and how people would perceive their mobility in coming years. Mehrotra, said everyone was making good cars these days. Though Toyota and Honda were selling more than Hyundai, Hyundai is focusing on experience and delivering what customers want. Rao said currently there are around ten electric vehicles (EVs) models but by 2025 there will be around 85 models. Mehrotra added that EVs will have a better range and batteries could be replaced within 15-20 minutes when needed. Charging stations would be needed every 25-30 miles for the ease of EV drivers. Enevate Corporation is working on developing fast charging batteries for EVs.
Today millennials are looking to buy high end SUVs and sedans are going out. Mehrotra said, there may be decline in sedan sales but they will still be around in future as sedans are still easier to maneuver than SUVs.
Garelli said he was really excited about EVs as his company spends around 5% of their monthly budget on fuel cost. Reynolds said EVs are so quite inside that you can hear the tires grinding on the road. He had suggested to Tesla to add some sound inside the car to muffle the tire grinding sound but his proposal was rejected.
The panelists agreed that technology autonomy is real. It may not replace everything. However, all auto manufacturers are investing in it. Why so? because autonomous vehicles will reduce accidents, increase safety and will make life more valuable. It is an attractive technology for the elderly population as they will enjoy life more as it will be easier for them to move around without the fear of driving. Reynolds said, another feature of EVs being developed is remote control to maneuver EVs through difficult situations where EV cameras might experience some confusion. Garelli who is in delivery business, said, his company would benefit the most with development of autonomous technology.
5G is making mobility hyper customized, available on demand, available everywhere and a seamless experience. Mobility is being powered by convergence of these technologies – Uber Service, 3D imaging, and Smart Connectivity. It gives customers what they want and when we want it.
Technology Subscription is being developed for ease of customers. This will be an In-App technology that will help search for driver licenses, ease of car buying/leasing.This segment of customers is very small but may increase as this technology is more widely available.
Hydrogen fuel cell is another technology being developed in partnership with University of California,Irvine. It is environmentally friendly but has a very small share as of now. The problem is infrastructure. There are not enough filling stations.The trucking industry can benefit the most as they will need fewer fill stations on their route.
The presentation ended with a general discussion and a Q & A session.
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