Most OEMs are shifting their strategy and way of thinking regarding ECUs. This, in combination with the electrification of vehicles and the shift towards software-based companies (car as a device), implies one of the biggest paradigm changes in automotive history.
On the other hand, despite the current struggles, remarkable advances have been made in electronic technology during the past few years. These developments have opened a door to very promising enabling technology, with exterior lighting as a main target market. These circumstances seem to have created a perfect storm leading to new strategies for electronic control and driving for (front and rear) exterior lighting.
We, at our company, have investigated the enabling technology, challenges, and benefits of this emerging exterior lighting approach, that we call ‘ECU-Less’. If proven correct, this approach could allow future applications to get rid of any computational power located in the lamps, in favor of a more centralized, and OEM-controlled, ECUs and software.
It is, from our point of view, of great interest to the complete automotive community to be aware and discover the potential of such an approach as, if we all manage to implement it correctly, it would benefit every stakeholder in the industry.