How network standardization can future-proof connected cars (Reader Forum)

The pace of change in connected car technology could quickly render new vehicles obsolete, especially in the age of the internet of things (IoT). With the number of connected “things” expected to reach 20.4 billion by 2020, ensuring that the cars of today are prepared for the connections of tomorrow is a daunting task. The biggest challenge for automakers is that current in-vehicle networks are three decades behind, which creates interoperability, version management, bandwidth and security issues for today’s connected cars and especially the highly automated vehicles of the near future. Rather than continuously struggling to update their cars’ networks to support new features, automakers can “future-proof” their vehicles by standardizing on an Internet Protocol (IP) over Ethernet backbone network architecture.
The power of convergence to IP
In the most basic sense, IP is the networking standard that has enabled businesses in every industry to connect securely and cost effectively. The technology has already proven its value in enterprise IoT, helping organizations converge and consolidate disparate networks to more easily integrate, manage, service and secure the mounting number of connected “things” in the IoT.
For connected cars and highly automated vehicles, IP offers the same benefits. By enabling network standardization, IP over Automotive Ethernet (the lightweight, robust, cost-effective physical medium for IP connectivity in vehicles) brings a host of new capabilities and allows all services, devices and technologies to operate seamlessly. Thus, vehicles can attain the flexibility to keep up with the rapidly evolving technology landscape. The following are a few areas where standardizing on IP over Ethernet can help future-proof the connected car.
By standardizing in-vehicle networks with IP over Ethernet, automakers have the flexibility to introduce new connected car features, test them, secure them, push them out and even update them as needed. Future-proofing the connected car is no longer a seemingly impossible feat, and consumers will be able to enjoy safer, more reliable, secure and convenient driving experiences in the years to come.