In connected car news are Silicon Box, Imec, Ford, AECC, Toshiba, Stellantis, Microsoft and EverDriven.
In this Article
Silicon Box Joins Imec Automotive Chiplet Program To Advance SDV Architectures
Silicon Box has formally integrated into imec’s Automotive Chiplet Program (ACP) to accelerate the adoption of chiplet technology for software-defined vehicles (SDVs). The collaboration focuses on addressing compute bottlenecks and escalating R&D costs by leveraging Silicon Box’s proprietary panel-level packaging and interconnection IP. Key technical objectives include defining interoperability protocols for system architectures and validating high-density interconnections to meet stringent automotive thermal and reliability standards.
The company recently achieved an IATF 16949 Letter of Conformance, signaling its readiness for automotive-grade semiconductor manufacturing. Silicon Box reported a 436% annualized revenue increase from automotive clients in Q1 2026, driven by demand for advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and high-performance computing (HPC) SoCs. To support the European Union’s semiconductor sovereignty goals, Silicon Box is progressing with a new facility in Novara, Italy, intended to replicate its Singapore foundry capacity and establish a native end-to-end testing ecosystem by 2028.
Ford Unifies Product Creation And Industrialization To Scale SDV Platforms
Ford Motor Company has established a consolidated Product Creation and Industrialization organization to streamline the rollout of software-defined vehicles (SDVs) and digital services. Led by COO Kumar Galhotra, the new structure integrates Ford’s Electric Vehicle, Digital, and Design teams with its global industrial system to achieve an 8% adjusted EBIT margin target by 2029. The reorganization follows the announced departure of Doug Field, chief EV, digital, and design officer, and the retirement of Kieran Cahill, vice president of manufacturing for Europe and IMG.
The technical pivot centers on the Universal Electric Vehicle (UEV) platform, a “skunkworks” project led by Alan Clarke that utilizes unicastings and a fully zonal electrical architecture with in-house software controls. Ford aims to refresh 80% of its North American portfolio by 2029, including a mid-size pickup and next-generation F-Series models. By 2030, the company expects 90% of global nameplates to offer electrified powertrains, supported by high-density LFP battery engineering and advanced over-the-air (OTA) capabilities to facilitate Level 3 autonomous driving transitions.
AECC Releases Data-First Architecture White Paper For SDV Data Management
The Automotive Edge Computing Consortium (AECC) has published a new framework titled Data-First Architecture for Data-Driven Automotive Service Development to manage the escalating data volumes of software-defined vehicles (SDVs). The paper identifies a critical bottleneck in traditional IoT architectures, which are ill-equipped for the tens of gigabytes generated daily per vehicle. The proposed solution is a distributed, tiered computing model that prioritizes data processing at the network edge to reduce latency and bandwidth costs.
The architecture utilizes a three-layer hierarchy: a peer-to-peer layer for local vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) aggregation, an edge network layer utilizing localized data centers and Wi-Fi access points for offloading, and a mobile/cloud layer for centralized long-term storage. By distributing compute tasks across these layers, the framework supports the high-density data requirements of advanced AI training, real-time telemetry, and personalized infotainment. AECC Board Chairperson Dr. Ryokichi Onishi indicated this multi-access communication strategy is essential for the industry’s transition toward data-driven development and large-scale AI integration.
Toshiba Initiates Shipments of TB9M030FG SmartMCD for Automotive Sensorless Motor Control
Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage Corporation has commenced engineering sample shipments of the TB9M030FG, the latest addition to its SmartMCD lineup. The device integrates an Arm Cortex-M0 MCU core with a gate driver for N-channel power MOSFETs, targeting three-phase brushless DC motor applications in electric water pumps, oil pumps, and cooling fans. Packaged in a 9x9mm QFP48 form factor, the highly integrated solution includes a LIN transceiver and a power system designed for automotive battery-level operation, directly addressing OEM requirements for ECU miniaturization and reduced component counts.
The TB9M030FG features proprietary vector engine hardware that offloads CPU processing for field-oriented control, reducing software overhead and program size. The architecture enables position-sensorless FOC from zero speed in salient-pole motors, eliminating harmonic-induced noise common in high-frequency signal injection methods. Compliant with AEC-Q100 Grade 0, the device optimizes board space and improves operational quietness for next-generation electrified automotive thermal and fluid management systems.
Stellantis And Microsoft Partner For AI-Driven Digital Transformation
Stellantis has entered a five-year strategic collaboration with Microsoft to accelerate enterprise-wide digital transformation through the co-development of over 100 AI initiatives. The partnership focuses on integrating AI within engineering, manufacturing, and customer-facing platforms, including the vehicle operating system and digital cabin architectures. Key objectives include utilizing predictive analytics for vehicle maintenance and optimizing product validation cycles. The initiative leverages Microsoft Azure to modernize infrastructure, aiming for a 60% reduction in the global datacenter footprint by 2029.
The collaboration establishes an AI-powered global cyber defense center to secure information technology systems, connected vehicle fleets, and manufacturing facilities. This unified security framework utilizes automated analytics to detect and mitigate threats across the digital ecosystem. Furthermore, Stellantis is deploying Microsoft 365 Copilot to 20,000 employees as part of a broader workforce productivity strategy. This integration of generative AI tools and cloud-native services is intended to enhance operational resilience and support the rollout of software-defined vehicle features across the multi-brand portfolio.
EverDriven Caregiver Survey Validates Alternative Student Transportation Reliability
EverDriven released 2026 caregiver survey data highlighting a high trust threshold for alternative student transportation solutions amidst persistent national school bus driver shortages. Feedback from approximately 600 caregivers indicates an 80% recommendation rate, driven primarily by safety-first protocols and real-time visibility via the EverDriven VIP app. The data underscores the efficacy of utilizing specialized small-capacity vehicles to supplement traditional district fleets, particularly for students requiring individualized routing or consistent driver familiarity.
The report emphasizes that 83% of specialized student rides are completed by the same driver, a critical metric for maintaining stability for students with disabilities. By leveraging rigorous background checks and ongoing driver monitoring, the service addresses specific safety requirements that differentiate it from standard ride-share platforms. For school districts, these high satisfaction levels translate to reduced administrative friction and improved attendance outcomes, validating the integration of third-party logistics (3PL) in the modern educational transportation ecosystem.