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Ford | Autosar | Ford’s Top E/E Man Claims Software and Cloud Connectivity is Core Business
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software takes over during the vehicle’s next start cycle. The updates can be delivered by cell phone or Wi-Fi, either at home or at the dealer. The hardware and software for the gateway controller that facilitates OTA updates to multiple modules was designed in-house by Ford. “We designed it in-house because it is core to our capability to manage software updates,” said Gray. “We can collect information in real time on the health of the vehicle in order to direct our next updates if we see any concerns. We’re super proud of it.” Last year he established a new systems engineering group focused on mecha nical systems integration and software feature engineering, “because so much of our work is driven by software-delivered features,” he said. “Nearly half of the systems engineering team work closely with the user-experience team in order to understand how the customer interacts with the machine. They translate that understanding into engineering terms that software developers can then execute.” Software is a major ingredient for building cars, essential to creating features that stand apart from the competition. To assert full control over the creative process, carmakers are bringing software development in-house. How much needs to come in-house? Gray wants to source software that is common across the industry – for example the operating system, middleware and application programming interfaces – from suppliers. “The application layer is where our brand is visible; it is where we want to devote our resources. That’s the software that creates the most value and enables features that differentiate,” he stated. He also wants the option to purchase application software from
Chuck Gray, Vice President Vehicle Comp onents
I talked recently with Chuck Gray, Vice President Vehicle Components and Systems Engineering at Ford, about software, standards, E/E architecture and the challenges he is facing. Gray is responsible for components and systems engineering for all Ford parts and subsystems, with the exception of the powertrain. He continues as Director of Ford’s global core electrical team, a job he has held since 2016. In that role he delivered a strategy to modernize Ford’s vehicle connectivity, software capability and electrical architecture. More than 7300 engineers including 400 software engineers work in Gray’s organization. He reports to Hau Thai-Tang, Ford’s Chief Product Platform and Operations Officer. Ford has been using agile software development processes for a while, including continuous integration and weekly releases. In recent months Gray integrated the company’s cloud-connectivity team with the software team that is working on interface devices such as Sync, even combining those teams with the business function around connectivity. The benefit of this arrangement of resources will become evident with the launch of Ford’s all-new 2021 F-150 and the brand-new Mustang Mach-E electric vehicle. “We’re really
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