Meeting the Challenges of Design Complexity in the Automotive Industry with Nand Kochhar – MBSE series ep. 1
The layers of complexity in the automotive industry continue to increase as consumers demand more sustainable and fuel-efficient vehicles. Along with those demands, the changing government regulations also pose additional challenges that the industry must find new and innovative ways of meeting.
These multifaceted needs are being met through the adoption of systems engineering, and the continued introduction of electrical and software systems throughout the automotive industry.
My guest today is Nand Kochhar, Vice President of Automotive and Transportation for Siemens Software. He understands first hand the challenges being faced by the industry today, how Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) plays a role, and solutions being developed to make these complex problems much easier to solve.
In this episode, we’ll talk about how the industry has evolved in terms of software and systems engineering, and how real customers are meeting the challenges of a more complex design process. We’ll also discuss the importance of interconnectivity, and how the digital twin makes that process easier for companies by embracing digital solutions.
Some Questions I Ask:
- How does the software and systems engineering of today compare to the early days of the automotive efforts in this space? (3:50)
- How does software and systems engineering apply to electrification? (7:59)
- How do you see the role of model-based systems engineering and the approach with software and systems engineering changing over the next decade? (10:21)
What You’ll Learn in this Episode:
- How electronics and software development have changed how automakers develop vehicles (00:27)
- How the industry is adapting to increased complexity (2:17)
- Where the system of systems concept comes into play (5:42)
- The various considerations of electric versus gasoline in the manufacturing process (10:49)
- How a Model Based Systems Engineering approach supports product development (11:54)
- How one company is succeeding in developing more complex vehicle design (12:56)
Nand Kochhar – VP, Automotive & Transportation Industry
Nand Kochhar is the vice president of Automotive and Transportation Industry Strategy for Siemens Digital Industries Software. He joined Siemens in 2020 after nearly 30 years with Ford Motor Company, where he most recently served as Global Safety Systems Chief Engineer. In this capacity, Kochhar was responsible for vehicle safety performance of all Ford and Lincoln brand products globally. He also served as Executive Technical Leader, CAE, and as a member of Ford’s Technology Advisory Board. Kochhar’s tenure at Ford also included executive engineering leadership across a range of disciplines including in product development, manufacturing, digitalization, simulation technology development and implementation.
Kochhar has additionally been active in SAE International, where he has served as Chairman of the Executive standards committee, leader of a cross-industry group focused on driving standards for mobility, autonomous vehicle development, electrification and connectivity. Kochhar also served as Chairman of SAE’s Motor Vehicle Council for 2015-16 terms, after which he was named the Vice Chair of Technical Standards Board (TSB) in 2017 and then TSB Chair in 2018 and 2019.
Kochhar graduated from Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) with a master’s degree in Engineering Mechanics. He was inducted as a member of the Academy of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineers at Missouri S&T in 2005. He lives in Northville, Michigan with his wife and two kids.
Conor Peick – Moderator
Conor Peick is a Marketing Coordinator helping to create forward-looking content for the Thought Leadership team at Siemens Digital Industries Software. Conor collaborates with seasoned industry experts to produce podcasts, articles, blogs, and other forms of content focused on the trends and challenges companies face in the future, and the technologies that may provide solutions.
Siemens Digital Industries Software is driving transformation to enable a digital enterprise where engineering, manufacturing and electronics design meet tomorrow.
Xcelerator, the comprehensive and integrated portfolio of software and services from Siemens Digital Industries Software, helps companies of all sizes create and leverage a comprehensive digital twin that provides organizations with new insights, opportunities and levels of automation to drive innovation.
For more information on Siemens Digital Industries Software products and services, visit siemens.com/software or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Siemens Digital Industries Software – Where today meets tomorrow
On the Move: A Siemens Automotive Podcast
The automotive and transportation industries are in the middle of a transformation in how vehicles are designed, made, and sold. Driven by an influx of new technologies, consumer demands, environmental pressures, and a changing workforce in factories and offices, automotive companies are pushing to reinvent fundamental aspects of their businesses. This includes developing more advanced and capable vehicles, identifying new revenue sources, improving customer experiences, and changing the ways in which features and functionality are built into vehicles.
Welcome to On the Move, a podcast from Siemens Digital Industries Software that will dive into the acceleration of mobility innovation amid unprecedented change in the automotive and transportation industries. Join hosts Nand Kochhar, VP of Automotive and Transportation, and Conor Peick, Automotive and Transportation Writer, as they dive into the shifting automotive landscape with expert guests from Siemens and around the industry. Tune in to learn about modern automotive design and engineering challenges, how software and electronics have grown in use and importance, and where the industries might be heading in the future.
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