KGM is currently involved in a national project led by South Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy. This initiative promotes low-carbon technologies and practices to cut greenhouse gas emissions and support the country’s transition to a carbon-neutral economy. Primarily it aims to develop a 2-liter diesel-based hydrogen engine and vehicle that meets NOx emission regulations and achieves a driving range of over 500km, making it suitable for both industrial and vehicular applications.

The main goal is to combine KGM’s in-house diesel engine technology with Phinia’s fuel injection system and ECU technology. Together the two companies will design a multi-purpose engine and vehicle, and create the foundation for an extended-range electric vehicle, while also conducting ongoing research and development.

A KGM representative said, “Eco-friendly hydrogen engines are a crucial next-generation powertrain technology. The hydrogen engine developed through this collaboration will be applicable not only to vehicles but also to construction and industrial machinery.”

The company has also confirmed the launch of plug-in hybrid technologies, within its existing range, throughout 2025.

This enhanced accelerator, featuring Elektrobit’s proven Adaptive AUTOSAR solution, aims to help OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers create scalable, flexible, and cost-efficient SDV architectures.

Cognizant’s SDV solution accelerator is built with Gen AI-led productivity elements, and helps speed up development and testing, improve quality and reduce development costs. It does this by integrating signal-based and service-oriented applications into modern electrical/electronic (EE) architecture, including vehicle computers and zonal controllers.

This collaboration aims to make the development process seamless by using continuous testing and validation. By addressing safety and security early on, it also reduces the time needed to add new features.

“Cognizant’s collaboration with Elektrobit to integrate its SDK into the SDV accelerator addresses key challenges OEMs and Tier 1s face in their software-defined vehicle (SDV) journey,” said Akshat Vaid, partner, engineering and information technology, Everest Group.

“The comprehensive pre-built accelerator is intended to help reduce total ownership costs and improve time to market,” added Wolfgang Thieme, director, product management cloud and systems, Elektrobit. “Together with Cognizant, we are laying the groundwork for enhancing customer satisfaction and lifetime value through software upgrades and subscription services.”

The project will deliver solutions and a clear upgrade path to enable hydrogen combustion using current platforms and infrastructure. It involves Mahle Powertrain’s flexible testing facility in Northampton, combined with the company’s experience with alternative fuels such as hydrogen and methanol.

“Hydrogen combustion engines (H2 ICE) are well suited to heavy-duty, long-distance applications that are hard to electrify,” said Jonathan Hall, Mahle Powertrain’s head of research and advanced engineering. “Its use allows industry to take advantage of years of development and investment as a means to accelerate the transition toward net zero.”

The EU’s recently revised CO2 standards for heavy-duty vehicles require a 45% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2030, rising to 65% by 2035 and 90% by 2040. In response to this legislation, the UK government has committed £8.3bn (US$10.3bn) for Great British Energy – a new, publicly owned, clean-energy company – to invest in the hydrogen industry and up to £21.7bn (US$27bn) for large-scale infrastructure projects.

Project Cavendish draws on the experience of several partners including Phinia, BorgWarner, Cambustion, Hartridge and Mahle Powertrain to develop novel fuel-injection systems and supporting turbocharging parts that can be ready for high-volume production in time to meet legislation.

Mahle’s recently expanded Northampton facility has the capacity to hold two tube trailers on-site, with rapid switch-over between them to ensure a near-continuous supply of hydrogen. Upgraded engine dynamometers with a 900kW/4,000Nm nominal capacity can support key heavy-duty demands, while in-house-designed control systems and software ensure safety.

Qorix’s middleware will be integrated into Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Digital Chassis platforms, which includes the Snapdragon Ride Platform and Snapdragon Cockpit Platform. Both solutions will also be available separately.

Addressing SDV challenges

The collaboration between Qorix and Qualcomm Technologies is focused on addressing integration challenges in system development. The integration of Qorix’s middleware into the Snapdragon Cockpit and Snapdragon Ride platforms aims to enable high-performance, scalable solutions for advanced applications. The plan is to use pre-integrated SoC platforms to minimize the integration challenges for OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers, reducing complexity and accelerating development.

The companies also hope to support the transition to software-defined vehicles with optimized performance, long-term adaptability and robust system capabilities.

“Our alliance with Qorix solidifies our commitment to innovation in the automotive industry. By seamlessly integrating our Snapdragon Cockpit and Snapdragon Ride platforms with Qorix’s robust middleware, we are helping to accelerate the adoption and deployment of software-defined vehicles and equipping our customers with high-performance solutions designed to deliver unparalleled riding experiences,” said Laxmi Rayapudi, vice president of product management at Qualcomm Technologies.

“Our collaboration with Qualcomm Technologies represents a significant step forward in addressing the growing complexity of automotive systems. Together, we are redefining possibilities for next-generation vehicles by integrating cutting-edge middleware and hardware technologies,” added Markus Schupfner, CEO at Qorix.

The Foretellix and MathWorks technology stack enables Mazda to move real-world driving data into virtual simulation to test and scale scenarios. This combination helps engineering teams identify edge cases and gaps in coverage, and validate performance much earlier in the development process. As a result, time-to-market can be accelerated and system quality and safety improved.

Yasuhide Yano, deputy general manager of the integrated control systems development division at Mazda, said, “By using Foretify, Simulink and Automated Driving Toolbox, efficient and exhaustive verification can be performed in a virtual environment to achieve our goals in a short period of time. In addition, the use of coverage maps enables us to conduct verification while also contributing to our sustainability goals with a zero-carbon footprint.”

Unified technology for Mazda AD/ADAS development

The Foretellix platform automatically generates an unlimited number of relevant and valid scenarios that are executed within the MathWorks Automated Driving Toolbox simulation environment. This process significantly accelerates testing timelines and enables Mazda to expand operational design domains (ODDs) through early-stage, virtual validation.

Ziv Binyamini, CEO and co-founder of Foretellix, added, “The integration of Foretellix and MathWorks software will enable Mazda to accelerate the development of safe, autonomous vehicles, improve testing efficiency and reduce development costs.”

“As ADAS and autonomous driving systems grow in complexity, it is essential for developers to have tools that enable efficient, scalable and comprehensive testing early in the design process,” said Naga Pemmaraju, product manager for autonomous systems at MathWorks.

In-car experience with AI

The partnership’s latest initiative is an advanced in-car assistant designed to provide conversational support for drivers. It functions as a real-time, voice-enabled user manual, allowing customers to ask questions and receive immediate guidance through a natural, conversational interaction. It will be continuously updated and adaptable to Stellantis brands and models.

AI-powered innovation

In addition to the in-car assistant, Stellantis and Mistral AI are exploring several other AI-driven initiatives. Bill of Materials (BOM) Data Intelligence: a Stellantis-specific AI-powered tool that streamlines the analysis of complex component databases using a chatbot powered by Mistral AI.

Vehicles Feedback Data Analysis uses AI to automate the processing of data from development fleets, to identify trends and improve product quality and customer satisfaction.

The Club Stellantis virtual assistant is a chatbot that assists Stellantis employees in France with purchasing company vehicles.

AI-Driven Anomaly Detection enables Stellantis to assess Mistral AI’s edge computing models to detect manufacturing errors in real time, allowing operators to take action before components are released. The aim is to improve quality control and efficiency in production.

“There are many players in the AI space, and we’re particularly happy to partner with Mistral AI for its strong ability to adapt quickly and drive meaningful results in a highly collaborative way,” said Ned Curic, Stellantis chief engineering and technology officer.

“This partnership is an important step in our commitment to making GenAI more accessible and valuable,” added Arthur Mensch, Mistral AI CEO and co-founder.

The new solution completely eliminates the mechanical connection between the brake pedal and the brake system. The driver’s brake request is transmitted to the brake-by-wire system as an electrical signal via redundant signal lines. With this approach, Bosch offers an efficient solution with two independent hydraulic brake actuators – a by-wire brake actuator and an ESP.

The hydraulic brake-by-wire system is planned to be launched on the market from autumn 2025. In addition, Bosch is also developing a purely electromechanical system. The company has already received orders from various vehicle manufacturers and expects that by 2030, more than 5.5 million vehicles worldwide will be equipped with its new brake-by-wire system.

The elimination of any mechanical connection means there is no longer a need to mount the brake system components on the firewall. Instead, the components can now be installed where optimal in terms of crash safety, NVH and manufacturing. This flexibility helps avoid the need for different variants for right-hand and left-hand drive markets.

By-wire technology also enables new pedal concepts with significantly shorter brake pedal travel to create space for new interior designs. Its slim design saves installation space and reduces the weight of the brake system. Since both the by-wire brake actuator and the ESP are assigned to different channels of the electrical system, they can each independently build up the required brake pressure on all four-wheel brakes in the event of a fault. This makes it suitable for automated vehicles.

The brake-by-wire system was developed at the Bosch development center in Abstatt near Heilbronn. The development team traveled from the southwest of Germany via Hamburg, Copenhagen and Stockholm, with a short detour to the Arctic Circle to the finish at the Bosch winter test center in Vaitoudden in Arjeplog, northern Sweden.

Bosch has obtained approval for public roadway use for the test vehicle in several countries, based on a safety concept. “Our hydraulic brake-by-wire system has worked perfectly on the journey. With our first long-distance test, we impressively demonstrated that we can bring a real brake-by-wire system safely and successfully from the test track to the road”, explained Hagen Kuckert, project manager for the by-wire brake actuator at Bosch in Abstatt.

BMW will also use AccuSim’s new AccuVision LED display along with the new simulator. The AccuSim logo will feature on BMW M Motorsport’s DTM and GT3 cars throughout the partnership, highlighting the collaboration.

The Trident Genesis Motion Platform claims to set new standards for precision and responsiveness in motorsport simulation, offering six degrees of freedom, ultra-low latency and a compact design that fits into BMW’s existing infrastructure.

The installation is scheduled for mid-2025. Dave Kirkman, founder and technical director of AccuSim, said, “Becoming the official technical partner of BMW M Motorsport is a tremendous honor and a testament to the trust they have placed in our expertise. It’s a collaboration that reflects their confidence in our mission to make high-fidelity simulators more accessible to all levels of motorsport.”

BMW M Motorsport selected the Trident Genesis platform for its blend of technical excellence, compact design and cost-effectiveness. Erik Schuivens, head of vehicle performance and simulation at BMW M Motorsport, added, “Our primary goal for the new simulator was to significantly improve latency and bandwidth, and achieve the full six degrees of freedom required for high-fidelity motorsport simulation.”

Schuivens added, ” However, there were several additional factors critical to our decision-making process. The simulator’s footprint had to be compact enough to integrate seamlessly into our existing infrastructure, as motorsport simulators typically demand a smaller motion envelope compared with automotive counterparts. Cost-efficiency was also a critical factor, ensuring our investment not only meets the highest technical standards but also provides outstanding value for our program for many years to come.”

The new laboratory allows customers from all over the world to have their materials and cells analyzed and tested in real time. UKBIC says the 240m² laboratory is open to all clients and will enable precise characterization of products processed on the facility’s existing manufacturing line or its new flexible development line (once it is operational), as well as products brought into the facility from elsewhere.

The laboratory could carry out characterization for analysis including material properties such as morphology, crystal structure, elemental and material compositions. It has equipment for elemental analysis (ICP), electrode imaging and particle morphology (SEM/EDX), phase analysis for crystalline materials (XRD), thermal properties and thermal stability (TGA), carbon-based materials characterization (Raman) and electrolyte characterization (GC, NMR).

It also supports chemical and physical processing as well as quality control (QC) analysis and the safe handling of electrode materials and water-based slurry. There is also a protected bench space for handling electrodes and a double glove box for coin cell assembly.

The new lab is also equipped with thermal and optical cameras for investigating cell failures and for the safe teardown of cells. Highlights include a VHX microscope (Keyence), a glove box (MBraun) and a shadowgraph (Keyence) microscope with automatic dimension measurement system. There is also provision for advanced electrochemical analysis, and a CT scanner for non-destructive analysis of cells to understand failure modes without the need for physical cell teardown. This capability is a strategic partnership between UKBIC and Waygate Technologies.

The new lab is the second in a series of £74m (US$93m) upgrades to UKBIC to come online. Funded through the Faraday Battery Challenge by UK Research and Innovation, other enhancements include cell cyclers and environmental chambers, a clean and dry zone where customers can rent space, and a flexible pilot line where customers can undertake early-stage optimization cycles and production trials.

Richard LeCain, chief technology officer at UKBIC, said, “Having this new on-site resource will ensure customers have a steady flow of data as they develop and scale new manufacturing processes, materials and chemistries as they head toward commercial production. This in-house capability will be an incredible resource for UKBIC and the UK battery industry.”

Bridgestone has used VTD for a decade. Having its own simulator will enable engineers to virtually recreate tire behavior, vehicle interaction and response in various conditions. With the help of AI, this combination supports faster assessment of many design options, accelerating development toward targets.

The new simulator will help Bridgestone boost innovation, increase speed to market and improve development efficiency. The investment also strengthens the company’s development of premium OE and replacement products and its collaboration with OEMs, because these new capabilities mean tires and vehicles can be developed in parallel.

On-premises DIL simulation will also help accelerate the company’s sustainability journey. By reducing the volume of manufactured tires and physical tire testing, Bridgestone believes that up to 12,000 experimental tires will be saved every year.

The simulator is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2025, and the company expects that the DIL approach will be applied to up to 50% of OE developments annually. Although the DIL approach is mainly used by Bridgestone to assess dry handling, the company is working to expand the tire performance areas it can assess and the market segments it can be applied to.

“This investment in our internal DIL simulation capabilities is a major milestone as we build a comprehensive ecosystem for accurately predicting tire performance in the virtual world. It also gives us the capabilities to experiment with new and innovative combinations of designs and materials in a fully virtual environment,” said Emilio Tiberio, chief technology officer at Bridgestone West.