Industry experts say that the car electronics market will soon be worth 270 billion euros ($400 billion) out of which 35 billion euros ($51 billion) will be dedicated for software development. Automotive software and semi-conductors are two of the fastest emerging markets.

Indian-based KPIT Cummins designs entire software solutions for cars inclusive of microchips, application software, and application formats. Cars that are embedded with this technology are better known as ‘smart cars’ that even tackle crisis/emergency situations without the need for driver interference. For example, software that controls the flow of oil to the engine and the level of emission generated when driving at a normal speed. When the car is in “Sports Mode”, the car is responsive to acceleration and automatically increases fuel outflow to generate more power. In super-luxury cars, there are several drive modes and smart technology switches between them in accordance to climatic conditions. All this is achieved without the interference of the driver.

KPIT Cummins is creating sophisticated technology for luxury cars across the world. KPIT Cummins chairman and CEO Ravi Pandit says, “In the days to come there will be 8-10 varieties of car software. They will be in the range of basic models to high-end models.”

Presently, the company is operating in US, Germany, France, UK, and Japan. This company is considered to be one of the best automobile system designers and is a part of the AUTOSAR (Automotive Open Systems Architecture) group that has set standards for software platforms around the world. KPIT Cummins is the only Indian company to be in this group.

Mr Ravi Pandit said that the aging population in developed countries is creating a market for smart technology in cars. Industry analysts say that over the next two years, an average car will have 40 electronic devices and the software itself would add up to 20 percent of the car cost.