Interview Fiat Group Automobiles / Italy

Alberto Motta,
R&D - EMEA Product Development,
Global Uconnect EMEA Uconnect Connectivity
Fiat Group Automobiles / Italy


Prior to the Auto Apps Evolution 2014, we.CONECT spoke with Alberto Motta, R&D Global Uconnect
Program Manager at Fiat Group Automobiles about striking tasks in the automotive apps evolution.
we.CONECT:
Mr. Motta, what role does your
company play in the field of auto-
motive apps and content develop-
ment?

Alberto Motta: Fiat Group is highly
involved in vehicle production that is
cars but also trucks, buses and
agricultural machines with a global
footprint. We are directing and
implementing contents, which include
apps, to customers. In some markets,
the apps are in production to end users,
in others in the development phase,
depending on the maturity of the market.

we.CONECT:
What is your companys most signi-
ficant project with relation to auto-
motive apps, user experience and
content integration at the moment?

Alberto Motta: The project is called
Uconnect, which is also the name of the
internal team in charge to formulate
specification, develop and run the
operations.
It is a complete E2E architecture which
links the vehicles and the customers
offering an array of services, in
bidirectional way from the customer to
the backend, and vice versa, together
with a list of partners and operators
under users choice.

we.CONECT:
Which critical trends and innovations
can you identify in the evolution of
auto apps and content development
to play a growing role in the auto
sector?

Alberto Motta: The trend shows a clear
invasion of field in the Automotive arena
from companies and actors once limited
to ICT, services, consumer electronics
linked to the customers rather than the
vehicles.
There is a potential to link several
worlds, as well as there is a struggle in
how to orientate the development, in the
means of what to open, what to protect,
what to decide to evolve, what to let
others decide to evolve, what is a
potential feature to enjoy, what is a
potential factor of disturbance and so on.

we.CONECT:
Which issues do you consider poorly
developed or unresolved within the
area of auto apps?

Alberto Motta: In my opinion, Vehicle to
Infrastructure and Vehicle to Vehicle are
issues not yet resolved. Infrastructure
means public investments and standards
in the European context with different
possibilities and priorities at this point.
The eCall legislation for example is
showing this different speed among the
states.
Ultimately, apps in the automotive sector
are offering services to fill gaps on
information, services and traffic
situations, which could be a part of
agreements among governments.

we.CONECT:
From your point of view - Which are
the conflicts arising between current
and upcoming players in the auto app
industry? How should they be
handled?

Alberto Motta: Clearly the Internet of
Things is considering a vehicle as an
additional device, peripheral to some
extent, or a way to exploit users habits
to offer services not necessarily related
to using a car, in a safe way, having fun
or travelling.
The Automotive Sector can embrace
some of these new possibilities while
keeping the focus on physical
transportation.
However, there is a growing concern
about how to handle liability issues in an
environment, which functions a web of
contributors with ever different
competences and objectives.

we.CONECT:
Can you name the most significant
keys to a safe and fast integration of
apps and mobile devices in the
automotive cockpit?

Alberto Motta: From my experience, it is
absolutely key to have a complete,
robust and future-proof set of tools to
define and manage contents from
definition, to HMI, which are flexible to
allow a variety of displays, voices,
vehicle resources and power such as
bandwidth, processing capacity,
memories - and perform testing, while
guaranteeing backward compatibility to
some level. Furthermore, automated
environments and suites of test cases
are of high value.

we.CONECT:
In your opinion, how will the
dynamics in the automotive apps
market change within the next 5
years? Which potentials do you see?

Alberto Motta: The evolution is already
on the run, with apps being highly valued
in brands and commercial offers, as they
are linked to fresh, light and modern
products thanks to consumer electronics.

So the pressure for even faster time to
market will increase. But the limited life
cycle of some services and the
complexity of the automotive
environment and customer fragmentation
is each time requiring higher investments
with limited margins.

In the next 5 years we foresee several
mergers, possible acquisitions by
carmakers of some companies and Tier1
suppliers and an increasing number of
partnerships on the backend side.
we.CONECT:
Please explain in brief the topics and
key issues of the presentation you will
be holding at the 3
rd
Auto Apps
Evolution 2014 congress in Berlin?

Alberto Motta: I seek to provide a
comprehensive overview of the current
app development processes for pioneers
to current 3rd generation of ways to
develop and integrate concepts. What is
more, I will discuss current challenges
from the point of view of a carmaker, with
high complexity of brands and customers
within its portfolio. An additional focus
shall be put on performances, time to
market, intellectual properties and quality
to customers.

we.CONECT:
What expectations do you have
regarding the Auto Apps Evolution
2014? Which outcomes and benefits
do you expect to gain from the
exchange with participating OEMs,
developers and research institutions?

Alberto Motta: I look forward to
connecting and discussing current and
future issues with other carmakers,
suppliers and developers to find new
perspectives and possible solutions,
especially with regard to managing
operations on the field after the date of
purchase.
we.CONECT:
Thanks a lot for this interview! We
look forward to a thriving community
and event with you!
Interview Partners: Serina Gummert
and Alberto Motta
CV Alberto Motta: Alberto Motta has 20
years of experience in R&D, with special
focus on the electronic field. From the
Research Center on design of electronic
engine controls, he moved to Fiat Group
and the design department of electrics and
electronic systems of cars / car lines, with
assignments worldwide, within Fiat and
with the J oint Ventures. Nowadays, Alberto
Motta is active in the infotainment and
Telematics departments in the latest 2
years.
Auto Apps Evolution 2014 is the leading
global automotive congress for industry
executives and pioneers focused on the
pressing tasks and challenges around
automotive apps, sophisticated content and
user experience.
In 2014, invited speakers and delegates will
discuss the advances in the design &
development process, gamification and
content integration, as well as the
traditional HMI versus APP ecosystem.
The latest state-of-the-art in auto apps
interfaces will be assessed, together with
innovative approaches to workload mana-
gement, latest platform technologies and
modern processing and consumer
requirements.
Find more Information about the event and
we.CONECT online:
http://automotive-apps2014.we-conect.com

Contact Event Production:
Dr. Klaudia Malowitz
Senior Product Manager
Phone: +49 (0)30 52 10 70 3 48
Fax: +49 (0)30 52 10 70 3 30
Email: klaudia.malowitz@we.conect.com

Contact Marketing:
Serina Gummert
Digital Marketing Manager
Phone: +49 (0)30 52 10 70 3 83
Fax: +49 (0)30 52 10 70 3 30
Email: serina.gummert@we.conect.com




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