Monthly Archives: June 2023

What Makes Functional Safety Consulting So Important for ISO 26262 Compliance?

Every year, millions of lives are affected by the lack of safety mechanisms in vehicles on our roads. There are instances of engine fire, airbag malfunction, and ADAS failures that claim innocent lives.

From innovations in advanced driver assistance systems to safety features such as ABS and airbags, the­ automotive industry is rapidly evolving to enhance both convenience and safety. However, as innovation propels forward, the need for robust functional safety measures becomes paramount.

According to a 2016 study by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), over 90% of vehicle accidents are caused by human error, highlighting the urgency to implement comprehensive safety standards.

Ensuring the safety of road vehicles requires a collective effort from all automotive stakeholders. The ISO 26262 standard plays a crucial role in guiding this endeavour, providing a comprehensive framework for functional safety in the automotive industry.

OEMs, tier-1 suppliers, after-market suppliers, and IT solution providers are recognizing the importance of adopting this standard to address safety concerns and mitigate risks.

However, widespread adoption of ISO 26262 does come with its fair share of challenges. For OEMs, implementing the standard across complex supply chains and ensuring consistent compliance poses a significant hurdle.

On the other hand, suppliers face the task of meeting stringent safety requirements while maintaining cost efficiency. Additionally, IT solution providers grapple with the need for extensive testing and verification to meet the ISO 26262 standard’s rigorous demands.

In this blog, we will examine how functional safety consulting enables the automotive ecosystem to adopt the safety culture in entirety.

Role of ISO 26262 Compliant Functional Safety Consulting

The need for ‘functional safety consulting as a service’ stems from the fact that it is an expertise and skill intensive activity. A guiding light in the form of a functional safety consultant shows the direction in which the safety-critical automotive project must move forward.

In principle, FuSa consulting is different from developing ISO 26262 compliant software. It can be seen as the first step towards building such solutions.

When an organization does not have a proven safety culture and is not matured enough in terms of ISO 26262 adoption, it requires handholding to develop ASIL grade automotive solutions. FuSa consulting is all about providing this assistance to such organizations.

The scope of FuSa consulting is vast. An organization may need this service, not necessarily for developing a solution, but to achieve ISO 26262 competency or establishing safety culture.

Let’s explore all such scenarios that FuSa consulting covers:

Gap Analysis: First Step to ISO 26262 Compliance

To kick-start the journey towards ISO 26262 compliance, a thorough gap analysis is conducted within the organization. ISO 26262 consultants perform a comprehensive analysis of the safety practices and systems. This assessment identifies gaps between the existing processes and the standard’s requirements. The insights gained from the gap analysis serve as the foundation for tailoring the implementation of ISO 26262.

For instance, the hazard analysis lacks comprehensive documentation and fails to address all potential hazards and associated risks. Based on these findings, the consultant recommends improvements such as implementing a systematic approach, defining clear risk assessment criteria, and ensuring traceability of safety requirements throughout the development lifecycle.

Processes and Framework Rollout: Preparing for ISO 26262 Compliance Journey

A critical aspect of ISO 26262 consulting is assisting organizations in understanding the necessary processes and frameworks related to ISO 26262 standard.

ISO 26262 consultants guide organizations in rolling out the necessary processes and frameworks to ensure compliance. This includes recommending suitable ISO 26262 tools, assisting in preparation of templates, guidelines, and checklists that align with the standard’s requirements. This aids in streamlining safety practices and establishing a robust safety culture.

To illustrate, let’s consider a scenario where a global automotive supplier offers its Safety Framework as a comprehensive package. This framework, supported by experienced consultants, provides a robust and customizable solution for organizations to align their processes with ISO 26262.

Navigating Typical Functional Safety Activities as per ISO 26262

Execution of essential Functional Safety Management (FSM) activities is the foundation on which the rest of the safety lifecycle is built.

ISO 26262 consultants play a pivotal role in executing essential FSM activities such as hazard analysis, safety planning with project management, safety reviews, audits, assessments, and confirmation reviews. For example, they may facilitate Hazard and Risk Analysis (HARA) sessions to identify potential hazards and associated risks in the automotive system.

Consultants also help in defining safety plans, safety goals, and safety integrity levels, enabling organizations to align their safety activities with ISO 26262 requirements.

Let’s consider a project where a consultant collaborates with a cross-functional development team to ensure compliance. During the Development Interface Agreement (DIA) phase, the consultant facilitates discussions between the client and its OEM partners, aligning safety goals and expectations. The consultant assists in creating a comprehensive safety plan, conducting safety reviews and audits, and performing assessments to ensure that safety work products adhere to ISO 26262 requirements.

Assigning Tasks and Driving Safety Work Products

During the safety lifecycle, there are numerous work products to be created starting from HARA to safety requirement specifications (SRS), Technical safety requirements (TSR), functional safety requirements (FSR) and so on. As part of FuSa consulting, the team members should be assigned tasks based on their experience and skill-set to drive these safety work products.

In a project focused on developing a safety-critical system, the consultant collaborates closely with team members, ensuring clear responsibilities and milestones are established. They provide guidance on creating safety-related work products such as safety cases, safety requirements specifications, and safety validation plans. By actively managing and monitoring the progress, the consultant helps the team stay on track towards achieving functional safety objectives.

However, functional safety consulting does not stop at active management and monitoring. When a cross-functional team works on a safety critical project like ADAS or Braking ECUs, creating work products like the SRS becomes tricky. Outlining the specific requirements that must be addressed in the SRS such as safety goals, necessary safety mechanisms based on ASIL, etc. are taken care of by the consultants. Such important details, if missed, can jeopardise the project at various levels.

Assistance in Streamlining the ISO 26262 Compliant Software and Hardware Processes

ISO 26262 standard applies to both software and hardware aspects of an automotive solution. While part-6 of the standard deals with the software development guidelines, Part-5 of the standard ensures that hardware development processes in automotive systems align with functional safety requirements.

ISO 26262 consultants provide invaluable guidance in implementing robust software and hardware (HW) lifecycle processes throughout the safety lifecycle. Here’s a detailed analysis of what goes into consulting for software and hardware design of an ISO 26262 compliant solution:

1. Analysis, testing and design specifications for software: What makes an ISO 26262 compliant software different from a non- compliant one is its adherence to the guidelines provided in the standard. Initiation of product development at the software level requires input from various work products derived in the earlier phases of development.

   The planning for the software development includes coordination with the product development at the system and hardware level. FuSa consulting is all about keeping track of all such dependencies.

   From providing recommendations for establishing coding guidelines and conducting software safety analyses to applying verification and validation techniques, a lot goes into successful planning for software development.

   

 

2. Safety Analyses, design, and testing of hardware: During the development of hardware components for an ISO 26262 compliant solution, Part-5 of the standard needs to be followed.

   The following aspects are covered in this:

   • Specification of hardware safety requirements
   • Hardware design
   • Evaluation of the hardware architectural metrics
   • Evaluation of safety goal violations due to random hardware failures
   • Hardware integration and verification

   
   Functional safety consultants guide the team in selecting hardware components that meet the required ASIL. Based on the ASIL, they help define diagnostic mechanisms to ensure fault tolerance.

   In addition, the consultant reviews the HW design, offering recommendations on hardware redundancy, fault detection, and fail-safe mechanisms. By integrating these safety mechanisms, the consultant enhances the overall safety of the ECUs.

   Another very important role of consulting in terms of hardware is the selection of safety analysis methods to be deployed. ISO 26262 standard recommends the evaluation of hardware architectural metrics such as LFM, PMHF, SPFM etc. Whether to choose FMEDA, FTA, DFA or all of them is a choice that FuSa consultants and their team have to make.

   We have already mentioned that FuSa consulting is not restricted to development of a safety-critical automotive solution. When an organization aims towards establishing a safety culture, it must take care of a number of factors. Continuous process improvement, assistance in confirmation reviews, audit and certifications assistance, support for tool qualification, etc. are often expected from functional safety consultants.

   At times, specific non-automotive organizations develop SEOOC (safety elements out of context) products, such as Tire Pressure monitoring sensors, specialized camera module, etc. Such organizations seek functional safety consulting to help them develop SEOOC products intended for ASIL grade automotive use-cases.
   

Conclusion

ISO 26262 consulting plays a vital role in guiding organizations towards achieving functional safety in the automotive industry. From conducting gap analyses to facilitating process rollouts, training teams, and driving safety work products, consultants offer comprehensive support at each stage of the ISO 26262 journey.

By leveraging their expertise and real-world experience, consultants empower organizations to embrace functional safety practices effectively, thereby ensuring the safety of road vehicles and enhancing the overall trust and confidence of customers.

What is Video Telematics? Here’s the Only Guide You Need

Video telematics is the use of telematics data in combination with HD video footage to understand driver behaviour and various other aspects of vehicle operations on the road.

Modern vehicles are already integrated with telematics systems that collect information such as location, speed, engine parameters, etc. But the addition of a camera system to record videos provides a clearer picture of the journey.

Imagine a scenario where an accident has happened. There could have been multiple causes for the accident, i.e., driver distraction, speeding, negligence, unfavourable road conditions, etc.

At the time of an insurance claim, it is important to determine the cause of the accident. And this is usually based on how the people involved in the accident recollect the incident. Hence, it is highly likely that the narrative can be inaccurate.

Video telematics can solve this problem and help insurers get a clearer understanding of the incidents preceding the mishap.

This is just one scenario where video telematics is beneficial. In this article, we will deep dive into this technology and understand how it is being adopted around the world.

Video Telematics Market Size

According to a recent video telematics research report from Research and Markets, the active installations of video telematics systems in North America and Europe was 5 million units at the end of 2022. This is expected to grow to 11.3 million units by 2027, at a CAGR of 17.7%.

Currently, the North American video telematics market is much larger than the European market, where the technology is predominantly adopted in the UK.

The report also states that the use of camera systems in commercial vehicles is currently a massive trend in the fleet telematics domain.

History of Video Telematics

Today, vehicle telematics is prevalent in various domains for managing the movement of automobiles and monitoring drivers. But video telematics is only gaining ground globally.

It is interesting to note that the initial phases of video telematics were quite humble. In those days, a passive video recording system was used for capturing incidents associated with the vehicle. A fleet manager would request for the videos on a need-by-need basis. Most of the time, these requests were made to accelerate the insurance claim process after accidents.

The video files were also quite heavy, and it would take hours before you find the clip that is of interest to you.

As the technology progressed, the components of the video telematics system became easier to handle. It became possible to record video clips at the time of an incident, based on pre-configured triggers.

For instance, if the driver brakes hard (above a pre-configured state), then a video recording is made in real-time. These clips are easier to handle and give a more accurate view of the incident.

Today’s video telematics systems are powered by machine learning algorithms. Powerful camera sensors embedded on the vehicle body capture various video clips of the surroundings. Through the technology of sensor fusion, these visuals can be stitched together to get a precise view of what happens around the vehicle. These systems also monitor the driver’s behaviour to assess whether he/she is distracted and send timely alerts to avert accidents.

In the event of a preconfigured trigger (such as hard braking due to an accident), the video recording starts. These visuals are also transmitted to the cloud in real-time. The videos can be examined later to analyse the vehicle’s movement, driver’s behaviour and traffic situation before and after the event.

How Does a Video Telematics Solution Work?

• The basic form of video telematics today involves the use of smart dashboard cameras embedded with Artificial Intelligence (AI) This transforms the camera into a powerful sensor that captures crucial data and stores it locally on an onboard storage device or transmits it to a cloud server.
• The AI algorithm in the camera system monitors the driver continuously. It can identify distraction and undesirable behaviours such as road rage, use of mobile phone when driving, drowsiness, looking away from the road, etc. The driver monitoring system can provide audio alerts to notify the driver and encourage them to pay attention to the road.
• Some video telematics applications can provide a driving score at the end of the journey. This coaches the driver to stay safe on the roads.
• Along with the recorded video, the system collects various forms of telematics data from the vehicle’s onboard diagnostics (OBD) port or other connected sensors. This data could include vehicle location, speed, braking, acceleration, engine diagnostics, fuel consumption, and more.
• The visuals and telematics data captured by the system are then integrated and analysed together. It is uploaded to the IoT cloud server from where it can be accessed by an administrator through an end-user application. On the basis of this data, the admin/fleet manager can establish communication with the driver and guide them.

Components of a Video Telematics System

In a video telematics system, the following types of cameras are usually seen:

• The forward-facing camera captures the visuals of the road in front of the vehicle.
• A rear-facing camera is added to the system to record the incidents at the rear side of the vehicle.
• There is another camera inside the vehicle that faces the driver. This camera system is being increasingly fortified with AI technology, as discussed above.
• Some video telematics systems have side cameras as well. Such camera systems provide a 360-degree view around the vehicle.

If the camera systems are advanced, the storage and access to the recordings are seamless. Otherwise, limited views of the front and rear sides may be available, and the controls might be completely manual.

In addition to the cameras, a telematics device with a wireless module is present in the system. This device transmits video footage and data to the cloud. The data analysis and processing can be done by a software platform on the cloud. An administrator operates an end-user application that accesses the cloud data and takes suitable actions.

Video Telematics Solutions – Impact on the Inside and Outside of a Vehicle

1. Driver Monitoring System

A dashboard camera captures the movements of the driver and matches them with an event. Alerts are generated in case the driver is engaged in activities like:

• Blocking the camera
• Absent from the driver’s seat
• Yawning and drowsiness
• Smoking
• Using mobile phone

 



 

Another important aspect to consider is road hypnosis, which is commonly seen in truck drivers. In such a state, the mind of the driver becomes inactive, while his eyes are still on the road! It usually starts after 2-3 hours of continuous driving and can be a very dangerous state.

It is advisable to stop driving every 2 hours to avoid the state of road hypnosis. Video telematics systems can be configured to send alarms at regular intervals to avoid such issues.

2. Advanced Driver Assistance System

The video telematics system captures movements on the outside of the vehicle and triggers a notification when it identifies an event. Here are some examples of such an event:

• Chances of a forward collision
• Violation of a traffic signal
• Over-speeding
• Reckless lane switching

Applications of Video Telematics

1. Fleet Management

Fleet management is a domain that has seen positive disruptions through telematics and GPS. Fleet managers can track a vehicle’s location in real-time, optimise routes, monitor driver behaviour, analyse engine parameters, and more.

After telematics systems have been enhanced with video recording components, fleet managers are empowered to monitor the objects/people outside and inside the vehicle. The video footage collected by the system can be assessed by fleet managers and steps can be taken to coach the drivers and prevent accidents.

There is a wide range of benefits for the people behind the wheel as well – the main one being the alerts from the system that prevent drowsiness and distraction.

Nowadays, 360-degree video telematics camera systems are capable of mitigating the risks associated with blind spots – especially for large trucks and trailers. These advanced systems also have proximity sensors that detect pedestrians and notify the driver.

Here is a snapshot of the benefits offered by video telematics to fleet management companies:

• Enhancing driver safety and behavior monitoring
• Improving fuel efficiency and reducing maintenance costs
• Optimizing route planning and dispatching
• Mitigating theft/damage to the vehicle
2. Auto Insurance and Risk Management

Vehicle telematics is beneficial for auto insurance, as it helps drivers improve their driving. When vehicles maintain a history of minimal insurance claims, owners are in a position to negotiate for better premiums.



 

In case there is an accident, some types of video telematics systems can create short clips that serve as the first notice of loss to the insurer. Understandably, this data is crucial at the time of an accident.

The camera systems can also upload the complete video footage to the cloud, from where it can be accessed by a user. The driver does not have to go through the process of extracting the files and manually uploading them. Moreover, the insurer gets a clear picture of the events leading up to the accident and after.

This helps the insurer in expediting the claim settlement process.

Here are the stand-out advantages offered by video telematics for insurance and risk management:

• Accident reconstruction and liability assessment
• Fraud prevention and claims management
• Driver coaching and training programs
3. Transportation and Logistics

A video telematics system helps transport business owners to operate the fleet with complete transparency. Connected video solutions powered by AI help in collecting, analysing and acting upon real-time data.

An advanced video management system allows managers to capture and store footage of cargo loading and unloading. This helps in improving dock efficiency and reducing detention time.

The system can also assist in detecting and planning the most optimum route. When a cargo mover has finished one task, the system identifies the most optimal route and the next task item on the list that will improve the efficiency of operations.

While the cargo mover is on the road, the system monitors the driver’s behaviour. This not only helps in identifying improper driving, but also assists in coaching the drivers.

For example, if the system detects dangerous driving behaviour, it sends an alert to warn the driver. In spite of this, if the driver continues the inappropriate behaviour, this data is sent to the backend control room. The administrator at the control room can then get in touch with the driver to rectify the situation.

Overall, the advantages offered by video telematics in the transportation and logistics sector include the following:

• Cargo monitoring and security
• Compliance with regulations and industry standards
• Improving supply chain visibility and efficiency

How to Choose the Right Solution

Since there are ample video telematics solutions in the market that cater to various use cases and budgets, it is crucial that you analyse your requirements carefully.

1. Define use cases – Be clear on your specific use cases and do some research on the reliable technology solution providers in the market specializing in that domain.
2. Understand future goals – If you are looking for a flexible and scalable solution, it is best to go for a custom-designed video telematics system.
3. Talk to solution providers – Set up sessions with the shortlisted technology service providers. They will be able to refine your requirements and advise on best practices.

Video Telematics Trends

One of the video telematics trends today is chipsets that can run machine learning algorithms in real-time. These chipsets enable Edge AI – a prime differentiator that sets apart the new-gen video telematics systems from the older versions.

This is particularly useful in fleet management, as the system can identify dangerous driving behavior instantly.

Earlier fleet managers could rely only on events such as hard braking or acceleration to understand driver behaviour. Now, it is possible to monitor various other events such as stop sign violations, tailgating, mobile phone usage, driver distraction, drowsiness, etc. and coach the drivers with actionable insights.

Smart dash camera systems with hardware of varying degrees of complexity and price points are powering modern video telematics systems. Ease of use and intuitive UIs are as important as capabilities or features.

There is also increased focus on the timely upgrade and maintenance of camera system software. Adopters are using various tools to understand the health of the cameras and data consumption. Firmware over the air (FOTA) updates are crucial in this scenario, as they keep the system up-to-date and enhance the possibilities for scaling.

How Telematics Service Providers Are Keeping Up with These Trends

As video telematics technology evolves and gains wider adoption, telematics service providers are innovating as well. They are offering integrated video telematics solutions that are capable of end-to-end operations – location tracking, compliance management, analytics, and more.

One of the deterrents in the adoption of telematics is the high cost of installation and maintenance. Hence, video telematics companies are also focusing on launching cost-effective solutions that add unbeatable value.

Embitel offers custom design and development services for video telematics. If you are seeking a reliable technology partner for your telematics project, let’s talk.

Electric Vehicle Charging Explained – What are the Different Types and Equipment for Charging an EV?

Electric vehicles are becoming increasingly popular, however, understanding the different charging methods can be a challenge. This blog aims to explain the basics of charging an electric vehicle, the types of chargers available, and the advantages and disadvantages of charging at home versus public charging stations.

Charging Options –

There are two main decisions when it comes to charging an electric vehicle: where we choose to charge and how quickly we choose to charge. Different charging speeds are available depending on the specific EV you possess, the battery size, and the type of charging station being used.

At Home Charging

Charging an EV at home is the most popular option, with 80% of all EV charging taking place at home. There are two types of home charging available: Trickle Charge and AC Household Charge.

Trickle Charge uses a conventional three-prong outlet and is the slowest way to charge an EV at home. It can provide a range of 13 to 16 kilometres per hour of charging, with a full charge taking around 14 hours.

AC Household Charge is the most popular and suggested method of home charging. It offers charging through a 230V outlet, allowing charging up to four times quicker than Trickle Charge, depending on the charger and a specific model’s acceptance rate. A 40-kWh battery automobile can be fully charged in around 6 hours.

Public Charging

Public charging stations are an alternative to charging at home. These stations, which are becoming increasingly accessible, allow recharge the battery while the EV is on the move if one needs to travel farther. Two types of public chargers are available – AC Quick Chargers and DC Fast Chargers.

AC Quick Chargers provide charging power of at least 50kW at a voltage of 450V and a current of up to 125A. They can charge in around 40 minutes, going from 20 to 80% of its initial charge.

DC Fast Chargers are currently the fastest method for charging an electric car. They deliver charging power of at least 50kW at a voltage of 450V and a current of up to 125A, charging in around 40 minutes.

EV Charging and On-Board Charger

While using AC charging, the EV internally converts the electrical power to DC. Every EV has an internal charger that can change the current before delivering it to the battery.

Today, the majority of EVs come with an On-Board Charger (OBC) that transforms the AC input from the utility to DC and charges the battery. An onboard charger’s primary function is to control the energy transfer from the grid to the battery.

Wireless EV Charging Technology

The wireless charging methods are still in progress and are not widely used, additional research is being carried out. The Wireless Charge system’s core is based on a charging plate inserted into an AC power box that charges the vehicle using electromagnetic radiation. Despite having capacities of up to 11 kW, the current is known to stay at lower levels and not pose a hazard.

Charging Connectors

The most often used AC sockets are Type 1 and Type 2 connections, primarily for AC Household Charging. For DC Fast Chargers, the most popular connections are CHAdeMO and SAE Combo (sometimes called Type 2 CCS, which stands for “Combined Charging System”).

EV Charging Equipment

Electric vehicles require an efficient charging system to keep them running. Currently, there are three versions of EV chargers: Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3, also known as Direct Current Fast Charging (DCFC).

Level 1 Chargers

Level 1 chargers are the simplest and most affordable form of EV charging. This charge level involves connecting the EV into a regular 120V AC outlet using a special electrical cord with the proper connectors on either end. The battery is then charged using the EV’s built-in battery charger.

This form of charging is typically constrained by the amount of power that the outlet can provide, typically 12-16A or less (1.44-1.92kW). Based on an EV with a 3 MPkWh rating, this means that each hour of charging will add up to 5.8 miles. A 10-hour overnight charge would only increase the battery’s range by 58 miles.

Level 2 Chargers

Level 2 chargers are widely accessible and affordable. With Level 2 chargers, an EV may be connected to a 240V outlet, such as one used for an electric range or dryer. Currently, level 2 chargers are only accessible up to about 20kW, so using our example, an hour of charging at 20kW would add 60 miles. In the 7kW to 10kW range, there are many of Level 2 chargers, sufficient to overnight recharge the majority of EVs.

A Level 2 10kW charger, accounting for system losses, could recharge a long-range vehicle or delivery van with a battery capacity of 100kWh in little more than 10 hours. There are permanent Level 2 chargers with a higher capacity, although portable chargers with a smaller capacity are also available. However, locating a 240V outlet might be harder than doing so for a Level 1 120V outlet.

 Level 3 Chargers

Level 3, or DCFC, chargers bypass the onboard battery charger, the DCFC in DCFC converts AC power to DC and sends the DC power straight to the EV battery. This enables direct EV battery charging from the DCFC. The rating of the DCFC equipment and the quantity of power provided by the utility or other major power sources determine how much DCFC can produce.

A battery charging system with a substantially bigger capacity is possible at this charging level. Due to its high cost and requirement for 480V electrical supply, DCFC chargers are often only used in fleet operations or commercial fast charging stations.

One EV with a 100kWh battery can be fully charged in roughly an hour using a 100kW DCFC. A 3MPkWh EV would acquire 300 miles for every hour of charging at his rate. Chargers for DCFC batteries must have 480V three-phase electricity and are substantially more costly than chargers for Level 1 or 2. This mostly restricts them to installations at commercial EV chargers.

Additional Speed Restrictions

The acceptance rate, which determines how much power an EV battery can absorb during a charge, has a maximum limit. This restricts how quickly the EV battery may be charged by the DCFC. For instance, if a 100kW DCFC is connected to an EV with a 50kW acceptance rate, the EV will only charge at 50kW.

Infrastructure Purchase and Installation Fees Infrastructure acquisition is necessary to increase the amount of accessible public and private charging equipment. Fees for infrastructure operation and upkeep also need to be taken into account.

Conclusion

Electric vehicles represent the future of the automobile industry, offering cutting-edge technology and more cost-effective options across the board. As EV usage rates increase it’s important to understand how to power an EV. Having access to a recharge station is necessary, just like it is for an automobile that runs on gasoline.

Not to mention, with the advent of newer technologies, maintaining and charging Electric Vehicles have become easier and more convenient. It is just about time, that we slowly glide into an era of EV fast, reliable and hassle-free charging!