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News >> Technology >>
Indian software makes cars safer
By siliconindia
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Tuesday, 22 July 2008, 22:56 IST
New Delhi: Now Indian software companies are innovating in automobile space with their new softwares that makes world's auto majors' cars safer.
Over the next two years, it is estimated that the market for such software will ramp up to 35 billion euros. The software constituted to the overall cost of the car has increased from two percent in 2002 to 30 percent by 2010, reported Business Standard.
For many of the software companies derive about 25 percent of its revenues from the automotive space and has posted an annual growth of 50 percent over the last two years.
Anup Sable, Vice-President (automotive and allied embedded and tools), KPIT Cummins opines, "In the near future car manufacturers will differentiate their product offerings by software applications inside the vehicle which will be a key factor driving sales. Despite the slowdown in the auto industry the market for software development will be robust."
Most of the auto majors have joined the rat race. As a part of their move to differentiate their models car majors, they have teamed up with software companies to offer new models sporting the latest software application. Microsoft, Apple, KPIT Cummins, Bosch, Tata Elxsi are some of them.
Microsoft and South Korean carmaker Hyundai have signed an agreement to build music and information systems in cars that will be sold in 2010. Also Apple has signed an agreement with Ford, General Motors, and Mazda that will enable the trio offer easy iPod connections in the majority of the models they will roll out soon.
Software developed by KPIT Cummins helps control the flow of oil to the steering wheel system that makes for easy navigation of the vehicle with less manual effort. Software developed by Robert Bosch based in Bangalore helps children avoid placing their fingers while the car windows are rolling down. Future software applications developed by Indian software majors could prevent road accidents which snuff out about 700,000 lives annually worldwide.
Tata Elxsi that has witnessed 50 percent growth over the last few years has designed software that alerts drivers when they accidentally skip traffic lanes or fall asleep at the wheel.