The Complexities of Modern Automotive Software
In a new series of podcasts, I will be joined by my co-host Nand Kochhar, Vice President of Automotive and Transportation Industries. In each episode, Nand and I will talk with an expert guest from around Siemens about the many challenges, complexities, and exciting opportunities presented by the continued development of autonomous vehicles.
Today, Nand and I are joined by Piyush Karkare, Global Director of Automotive Industry Solutions, to dive into the topic of automotive software development and how it may change as we come closer to the reality of autonomous vehicles.
Software is now a critical component of nearly every modern vehicle. Consumers demand more high-tech features to be incorporated into their cars; therefore, software content has grown. This transition towards a software-defined vehicle is also causing rapid growth in vehicle complexity. To keep up with legacy automotive original equipment, manufacturers and suppliers must deliver innovative software-driven vehicle features while integrating these features into a vehicle’s mechanical, electrical, and electronic systems. You can listen to the episode through the player below!
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.
Piyush Karkare – Global Director of Automotive Industry Solutions
Piyush Karkare is the Director of Global Automotive Industry Solutions at Siemens Digital Industries Software. Over a 25 year career, Piyush has a proven history of improving product development & engineering processes in the electrical and in-vehicle software domains. His specialties include integrating processes, methods, and tools as well as mentoring product development teams, determining product strategy, and facilitating innovation.
The Future Car Podcast
Transportation plays a big part in our everyday life and with autonomous and electric cars, micro-mobility and air taxis to name a few, mobility is changing at a rate never before seen. On the Siemens Future Car Podcast we interview industry leaders creating our transportation future to inform our listeners in an entertaining way about the evolving mobility landscape and the people that are helping us realize it. Guests range from C-Level OEM executives, mobility startup founders/CEO’s, pioneers in AI law, Formula 1 drivers and engineers, Smart Cities architects, government regulators and many more. Tune in to learn what will be in your mobility future.
