Automotive electronics are electronic systems used in vehicles such as engine management, ignition, radio, carputers, telematics, in-car entertainment systems and many more. Ignition, engine and transmission electronics are also found in trucks, motorcycles, off-road vehicles and other internal combustion powered machinery like forklifts, tractors and excavators. There are also related elements for control of relevant electrical systems in hybrid vehicles and electric cars.
Electronic systems grew to an increasingly large component of the entire cost of a vehicle. In 1950 was its value around 1% and in 2010 it grew to 30%. These days, modern electric vehicles depend on power electronics for the main propulsion motor control and managing the battery system. Moreover, in the future autonomous cars will even more rely on powerful computer systems, more sensors, networking and satellite navigation systems – and all of them require electronics.
