Vehicle Computing Architecture for Container-Based Upgrade Offloading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicles with aging computing systems face challenges due to outdated technology, high replacement costs, and integration complexities, leading to operators often opting for new vehicles to access newer technology.
Innovation Solution
An extensible computing architecture that allows head units or computing systems to offload execution to a supporting computing device, enabling upgrades without replacing the main unit, using a container software architecture for synchronization and maintaining a consistent user experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the head unit is seamlessly integrated into the vehicle dashboard, then the user experience is improved and the system appears more unified, but the replacement and upgrade of the head unit becomes difficult and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two independent parts: the head unit (integrated into the dashboard) and the computing system (separate replaceable unit). This segmentation allows the computing system to be upgraded independently without replacing the integrated head unit, resolving the contradiction between seamless integration and ease of replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
A communication interface acts as an intermediary between the head unit and the computing system. This intermediary enables data and control signal transmission while allowing the two components to be physically separate, thus maintaining the user experience of integration while enabling independent replacement of the computing system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the entire head unit is replaced to access newer technology, then the computing system becomes updated, but the cost increases significantly due to replacement of expensive integrated components
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the computing system from the head unit, only the computing system needs to be replaced for technology updates, not the entire head unit with its expensive integrated display and dashboard components. This dramatically reduces upgrade costs while still providing access to newer technology.
Solution Approach 2:
The computing system is designed as a universal platform that can support multiple applications and services (infotainment, navigation, vehicle control, etc.). This allows a single computing system replacement to provide comprehensive technology updates across all functions, maximizing the value of the upgrade investment.
3Reliability
If computing systems are seamlessly integrated into the vehicle, then the system reliability is improved, but the maintenance and support become difficult when the computing system reaches end of life
Solution Approach 1:
The computing system is segmented as a separate replaceable module rather than being permanently integrated. This allows the computing system to be maintained through simple replacement when it reaches end of life, while the integrated head unit continues to provide reliable user interface functions. The communication interface ensures continued system reliability during and after replacement.
Data Source
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AI summary
A main computing device integrated into a vehicle may perform various aspects of the techniques described in this disclosure. The main computing device comprises a memory and a processor. The memory may store a first and second instance of a runtime environment. The processor may execute a first container that enables execution of a first instance of the runtime environment, and execute a second container that enables execution of a second instance of the runtime environment. The first instance of the runtime environment may detect a supporting computing device, transfer, responsive to detecting the supporting computing device, the second container to the supporting computing device, and interface with the second instance of the runtime environment to jointly present the user interface by which the operator of the vehicle controls the functionality of the vehicle.