Code No:TMS076Price:1250Category:Electronics& Instrumentation,Control,Automation,Communication Information:Electronic components & Systems
1.INTRODUCTION
Automotive Electronics’ has been an active subject over the past 2 decades. In the late 80’s Indian automobile industry gathered new impetus due to introduction of several new models of LCV’s & 2 wheelers. The impact of the presence of automobiles on road was being felt by driver & passengers and pedestrians on & along the roads. An automobiles provides comfort to the former but on the other side latter category is subjected to the health hazards due to emission of obnoxious fumes and accidents. Technological developments, till date have been for improvement of fuel efficiency, comfort, safety & reduction in exhaust emissions.
Enough concern is now being expressed against the pollution caused by fumes emitted by vehicles. Due to fumes & particulates, number of persons who inhale them suffer diseases related to throat, lungs, eyes etc. In addressing this problem ‘Automotive Electronics’ can play a very effective role. On-board electronics & off-board electronics, if implemented effectively, can bring down the emission levels by 85 to 90%. As the applications of electronics in automobile & transportation sector are wide, this report specifically aims at ‘on-board Electronics’ (i.e. those within the automobile). Back
2. SCOPE
This Techno-market survey covers an in-depth study with reference to following aspects.
2.1 SPECIFIC ASPECTS
i) Automotive as a vehicle unit.
ii) Systems/sub systems & components.
iii) Automotive electronics for safety, pollution control, fuel efficiency and comforts.
iv) Other related areas of automotive electronics for traffic management, diagnostics, repair etc.
2.2 OBJECTIVES
The objectives for the study were as follows:
i) Relationship and the importance of the specific topic to the board areas to which it belongs (in brief).
ii) The current status of the technology in the world and in the country. Market (domestic / export) sizes and their potentials.
iii) Assessment of he technology, resource parameters such as energy, raw material, infrastructure and manpower etc. to arrive at preferred technology options.
iv) Short term & long term economic aspects of preferred option(s) by itself and its spin offs.
v) Recommendations.
• For implementation of the preferred technology option(s) indicating critical inputs such as raw material, capital goods and human resources required and their availability, investments required to commercialise, and benefits/returns expected. Maximum possible quantification is required.
• For R&D/technology development indicating the requirement of inputs and expected benefits.
vi) Action Plan for implementation of recommendations alongwith identification of:
• List of available technologies for Indian industry and
• The agencies/ groups/individuals for implementation.
vii) Expected impact of recommendations, if implemented. Back
2.3 METHODOLOGY
The study being exploratory in nature, flexible wide ranging and versatile approach was adopted. This covered reference to all possible secondary sources and primary sources. This is summarized as follows:
i) Books, journals & seminar proceedings in India & abroad on the subjects related to automotive electronics were referred.
ii) A list of equipments, accessories manufacturers worldwide was prepared from the trade directories as well from mentions in journals.
iii) Correspondence was made with around 75 concerns in the world & about 30 organisations were contacted in India to get their views on the technology applications.
iv) Rapport was established with agencies like ARAI, AIAM, ACMA to understand and shortlist key respondents.
v) About 32 experts from all over the country were interviewed in depth.
vi) About 10 service stations & few users of vehicles having some automotive electronics were contacted.
vii) A second round of personal interviews was made with select experts to discuss preliminary research findings. All the information obtained was complied, and analysed.
2.4 LIMITATIONS
The study could had the following limitations:
i) Inadequate response from overseas concerns.
ii) Indian branched of overseas concerns were ill-equipped to furnish information on Automotive Electronic components of their parent companies.
iii) Information about exact experimental results of applications could not be obtained.
iv) Due to the lack of market behaviour, experienced professionals could not respond with relation to effective usage and reaction to automotive electronics.
v) Recent import duty reduction from 85% to 65% (max.) proposed in the budget of 1994-95 could not be incorporated in the detailed working.
3. RELATIONSHIP OF THE SUBJECT
‘Automotive electronics’ is the technology dealing in applications of electronics in automobile industry. The subject derives its strength from disciplines of micro-electronics, artificial intelligence, physics, solid state electronics, instrumentation etc.
Electronics has surprisingly found application fairly late in one of the earliest products of engineering revolution, viz. surface transportation modes. It has by now proven its advantages in area of communication, space, data-processing, machine tools etc., due to its high degree of reliability and performance standards.
Electronics has now become acceptance for control and monitoring effectively engine parameters, transmission, steering, braking system and speed of the vehicle.
The functional role has been complemented by its applications for entertainment, communication and air conditioning. Back
4. IMPORTANCE
In developed countries now electronic contents per vehicle are ranging from US$ 500 to 2000 (Rs. 15,000 to 60,000) in premium car models. The total annual business volume of automotive electronics is around Rs. 60,000 crore all over the world as against about Rs. 100 crore in India.
5. CURRENT STATUS OF TECHNOLOGY IN THE WORLD
Electronics has been well accepted as standard feature by global leaders in automobile industry.
One standard feature is for exhaust emission control. This particular advantage has helped in bringing legislative provisions to achieve near zero emissions. The unique selling point for on-board electronics continues to be for driving comfort & safety. The salient features are:
Electronic engine management system : It controls and monitors fuel injection & ignition, engine speed.
Safety : The anti lock braking system avoids skidding of vehicles on slopes and avoids locking of wheels while braking.
Entertainment : Radios & setero cassette players, CD’s, TV’s have found place in luxury cars. Being a non- functional feature it has not been much discussed in this report.
Communication : Mobile cellular telephones & receivers for traffic broadcasts are widely used in cars and taxis.
Security : Electronic car security locks, remote controlled locks and central door locking system improves security.
Besides on-board electronics, the other related areas relevant to the subject are as follows:
Traffic Surveillance & Control : It can be achieved through traffic control satellites. Bar coded signs, magnetic car number plates, traffic signals etc.
Diagnostics : Garage equipments; computer controlled engine analysers have simplified fault detection and rectification. Other equipments are computerized wheel balancer, wheel aligner, digital engine analyzer, gas analysers etc.
Besides four wheelers, almost all two wheelers have electronics features like flashers, regulators and ignition.
Even though the global automobile leaders have accepted electronics, several concerns are in the process of adopting them. United States accounts for 1/3 of the global business of automotive electronics i.e. around Rs. 22,000 crore per year.
The technology trends in the world indicate incorporation of the state of the art car with most advanced features by the year 2000. It will have exciting features of cellular network communication, choice of on-board display, reformattable driver information, voice recognition, select displays like speed on front electro-, automatic transmission, fully electronic control, zone adjust
In short, by the beginning of 21st century, a car that drives itself may become a reality. Back
6. TECHNOLOGY STATUS IN INDIA
In the Indian context, acceptance of electronics has been driven by legislative provisions as well as customer pull. The present business scenario can be classified based on driving force as follows:
| CUSTOMER PULL | LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS | |
| ON-BOARD | Music systems Control of AC. Window lift motors Safety locks regulators |
Electronic ignition Flashers. |
| OFF BOARD | Displays at fuel Dispensing stations Diagnostic computer-wheel balancing |
Traffic control signals, Exhaust gas analysers Engine analysers. |
The manufacturers have remained shy for adding electronics due to increase in cost and its effect on market pull of vehicle.
Almost all two wheelers have Electronic flashers, regulators and Electronic Ignition.
This scenario in India is now poised to change with the introduction of new models, foreign tie-ups and selective imports. The Indian industry will have to become globally competitive in quality and price to improve domestic market share and have export opportunity.
The introduction may come only if efforts are made to achieve 2001 emission standards and make export worthy automobiles
The other features of electronics like Antilock Barking System (ABS), Controlled Area Network (CAN), instrumentation, Surveillance have less priority at this stage.
The technology development and competence building is in progress at institutions like ARAI, VRDE. The Indian scenario is different compared to developed countries on following key parameters.
Petrol: Diesel consumption ratio is 1:7 as against 1:2 in developed countries.
Unleaded petrol is not available.
Cars continue to be luxury and privilege of a few.
Indian electronics industry has capabilities to assemble systems by importing critical hardware items.
7. MARKET SIZES & POTENTIAL
India accounts for almost 17% of global population. The sale of Indian passenger cars is 0.5% of world sales, which is also the share of Indian trade to global trade.
The annual sale of two wheelers in India is 17% of global sales which is concomitant to our share of population. India’s exports of automobiles is 5% of the total sales and that of electronics industry is 6%.
The present import content by value in automobile industry is about 7%. The automotive electronics related products are expected to have import content of 50% initially. The current market size estimated in automotive electronics is around Rs. 100 crore. The market is expected to be around Rs. 3500 crore by the year 2000. unleaded petrol availability and simultaneous fiscal & infrastructure support are essential for this sector. The total market will be shared in the ratio of 2/3 original equipment (OE) and 1/3 for retrofit and replacements. This includes mainly on-board electronics.
The manufacturing base for automotive electronics systems may be created through the technology transfer by existing global players to their Indian subsidiaries. this will facilitate growth of small & medium enterprises for sub-assemblies. Indian can play a positive role in exporting Automotive Electronic assemblies by year 2001 onwards due to following distinct advantages:
• Electronic assembly is cheaper in India.
• Proper skills and technology can be made easily available.
• Automobile application has variety and small volumes in each category may not be attractive for mass production. Each of the car models having CAN needs specific algorithm and software development. At present, there are about 300 car models in the world. Back
8. ASSESSMENT OF TECHNOLOGY OPTIONS
The technologies in automotive electronics which began in the world in early sixties are currently under stage three. Stage one has been a primitive stage using diodes and transistors. Stage two saw induction of 16 bit microprocessors. The current stage three in the advanced countries, is with smart sensors, EEPROMS etc. The fourth stage will be around the year 2000 with state-of-the-art features like high memory on-board computer, artificial intelligence etc. it will view an automobile as a single system instead of the sum of various subsystems.
Thus, India is positioned to choose automotive technology path to suit its requirements.
It is unlikely at this stage that a voluntary pull from customer itself will bring technology development as it happened for items like television, car radio & stereo systems, safety lock etc.
A three pronged technology options evaluation is needed for applications of automotive electronics in India.
• Retrofit to existing automobiles.
• Use with leaded petrol & stress on technologies for diesel vehicle.
• Scope in 2 stroke engineers of two/three wheelers.
On the lines of above parameters and underlined thought of low cost functionality under Indian driving cycle, and ready-made technology cannot be just transplanted. The technology will have to be sources from multiple agencies, upgradation & adoption under Indian conditions.
9. PREFERRED TECHNOLOGY OPTIONS
Following technology option for immediate adoption in India have been broadly suggested.
• We should enter Stage II of automotive electronics revolution with 8 bit microprocessors for two wheelers & 16 bit microprocessor for four wheelers. The logical prelude will be universal adoption of electronic ignition.
• In the case of two wheelers four stroke engine is found optimum by the automobile manufacturers to achieve emission standards. Some of the Co’s like Bajaj Auto Ltd. Are in the process of adopting this technology.
• We have to develop technology for adoption under present condition of leaded petrol.
• India will have to take lead in technology for diesel HCVs & LCVs. The current status of CI Engineers in the world does not use much electronics as compared to petrol engines.
• The manufacturing base for EEM, ABS and such core automotive electronics systems my have to be independently created. This could be best done by subsidiaries of existing global companies like Robert Bosch GMBH, Lucas Ltd., Siemens, Philips, AVL etc.
• The initiative from Indian side should come from either automobile component manufacturers or from electronic industry.
• The R & D institutions like ARAI, VRDE, IIP and IITs have strong role to play in providing integrated testing, filed trials & competence building exercises.
• Creation of domestic manufacturing base for IC chips, sensors, microprocessors etc. Back
10. ECONOMIC ASPECTS OF PREFERRED OPTIONS
SHORT TERM ASPECTS
Initially at the nodal agencies level, an investment of Rs. 14 to 15 crore will be necessary for upgrading testing facilities, training personnel and for prototypes etc. Evolving joint ventures amongst agencies like MOST, DOE, automobile manufacturers, Ministry of Finance and R & D establishments.
Creating social awareness about the need for environment friendly vehicle rather than stressing fuel efficiency and lower maintenance. The latter part has reasonably come to stay as a well accepted feature. As it is known that ‘Automotive Electronics’ on its own cannot be justified as 20% increase in automobile cost leads to just 5-7% saving in fuel.
It is the end-customer who has to be convinced rather than any other agency as the automobile user will be paying for automotive electronics. It is he, who will be paying to reduce exhaust emission leading to cleaner air in towns.
LONG TERM ASPECTS
The adoption of ‘Automotive Electronics’ will create new industrial opportunities in this field and by the beginning of 21st century, it will command turnover of Rs. 3500 crore & above. It will generate direct employment to 7000 to 10000 persons & indirect employment to service stations & retrofit stations etc. to more than 10,000 persons. The Govt. will stand to gain additional revenue as the automobile industry’s turnover itself will go up.
The availability of global standard vehicle will increase exports of Indian automobile.
The low emissions achieved in urban agglomerates will improve quality of life and reduce health problems due to suffocation and deterrents of emission constituents.
It will foster growth of electronics component industry in India.
11. IMPACT OF PREFERRED OPTIONS
Experience of improved features adoption has typically shown that Indian customer tends to accepts upgraded version of the product at premium.
The preferred option will have impact on electronics industry, tourism, environment & healthcare etc.
A major advantage of adopting systems like ABS will reduce accidents of HCVs & LCVs on National Highways.
Needless to mention, 5 to 7% saving in petrol & diesel consumption itself will save foreign exchange outgo of around 250 crore/y Electronics reduces emission significantly but if only seen in the perspective of fuel efficiency it may be found economical.
The technology adoption for petrol & diesel vehicles will give impetus to other vehicles with alternative fuels.
A demonstrative exercise indicates that additional capital cost of Rs. 285 crore in EEM Of 10% of total vehicle manufactured in the year 2000 will reduce annual CO emission by 37,230 tonne besides reduction of HC & NOx.
12. SPIN OFFS
The major spin off of on-board electronics will be in following sectors
- Education – New stream of specialization will emerge.
- Transport – Skills will lead to increased usage of automobile leading to better transport & communications.
- Employment generation at all stages.
- Tourism – Availability of safe cars will induce tourism. Back
13. RECOMMENDATIONS
The key recommendations are as follows:
- Fiscal concessions for adoption of automotive electronics.
- Making available unleaded petrol.
- Creating nodal facility for testing and coordination.
- Initial import of critical components from global giants.
- To replicate the pattern adopted by Taiwan & Japan for emission control technology for two wheelers. Taiwan with a population of 30 million has 8.5 million two wheelers in use. This country has very effectively adopted automotive electronics for two wheelers.
- Arranging training programmes
- Demonstration in exhibitions like ‘Auto 93’.
- Major emphasis will have to be laid for increasing awareness for environmental friendly vehicle and commitment of automobile user to the larger section of society which is deprived of vehicle benefits but has to face hazards due to emissions from vehicles.
14. ACTION PLAN
On the basis of recommendations made, actions will have to be taken and targets will be required to be set on following points:
- Identification of nodal agency and working group.
- Deciding priorities of technology acceptance and transfer.
The suggested priorities in order are as follows for EEM
i) Diesel HCVS & LCVS
ii) 2/3 wheeler
iii) Passenger cars.
- Setting targets for achieving 20% of annual vehicle production with in-built EEM by the year 2000.
- EEM system development listed above should immediately be followed by ABS.
No institutional or government is needed for electronics in instrumentation, comfort, entertainment, security as these features are market pull driven.
15. CONCLUSION
This report analyses new opportunities for setting up industrial projects for the manufacture of EEM systems, ABS and especially components like microcontrollers, opto-electronic devices, metal oxide varister, fluorescent indicator panels etc. as technology is rapidly changing in the world, review report for assessing technology progress achievement should be planned around 1997.
UNITS USED
a) All standard units have been used. Important Units used are as follows:
| CUSTOMER PULL | LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS | |
| ON-BOARD | Music systems Control of AC. Window lift motors Safety locks regulators |
Electronic ignition Flashers. |
| OFF BOARD | Displays at fuel Dispensing stations Diagnostic computer-wheel balancing |
Traffic control signals, Exhaust gas analysers Engine analysers. |
b) All amount in Rs. Means Rupees
c) Amounts have been mentioned in lakh, million and crore
d) For convenience Dollar-Rupee conversion ratrion assumed as Rs. 30.00=1 US$.
