Future in Motion - The Evolution of Mobility

By: Latha Chembrakalam, Vice President Head of Technical Center India, Continental Automotive India

Latha, a seasoned leader with nearly 30 years of experience, heads engineering at Continental Automotive, overseeing 5,500 engineers in Autonomous Mobility, Safety, and Vehicle Networking. Previously at Robert Bosch and Siemens, she excels in technology leadership, diversity advocacy, and global team development. She’s a noted speaker and award recipient.

In a conversation with Women Entrepreneurs Review, Latha discusses the impact of electrification on India's automotive future, emphasizing strategic priorities for industry leaders to stay competitive. She also explores innovative acquisition approaches, essential leadership qualities for tech-driven transformations, and fostering a culture of innovation.

In the context of the current market dynamics, how do you see the demand for electrification shaping the future of the automotive industry, particularly in India? What strategies should industry leaders prioritize to stay ahead in this evolving landscape?

The Electric Vehicle (EV) market in India is still growing and it will take some time for them to come on par with ICE vehicles. As the future of the automotive industry is electric and automated, many traditional OEMs and startups have begun investing in the E-mobility space in India.

However, the automotive industry is investing heavily in EVs, and with the right direction from the government, India will gradually see an increase in its adoption. Currently, the country is still in its learning phase and is coming to terms with the regulations that have been introduced. It is predicted that in the next five years, the EV market will mature and will penetrate the Indian market.

By continuously investing in R&D and constantly innovating, companies can stay ahead of the curve by developing technologies to advance battery technology and enhance the range of the vehicle. This will also help in reducing the overall cost, making EVs much more affordable. To further develop the overall EV ecosystem, automotive companies can collaborate with technology and battery manufacturing companies. Focusing on the localization of EV components like batteries can mitigate supply chain risks. Additionally, setting up charging infrastructure and offering attractive financing options can further help promote EV sales in the country.

Given the competitive nature of business acquisition in the automotive sector, what innovative approaches can organizations adopt to streamline the acquisition process while ensuring alignment with long-term strategic goals?

The automotive industry is dynamic and is continuously evolving, therefore, to stay ahead of the curve and cater to the demands of the people, focus on bringing new technologies to the market, and making the car a convenient and safe mode of transport are the key considerations for the OEM as well as technology providers. This is a continuous process, and innovation is the key to staying ahead. India being a cost-sensitive market it is also important to bring technologies at affordable prices. Another focus area is to continuously focus on improving operational efficiencies.

With vehicles becoming software-defined, the line between core automotive companies and software companies is also blurring. By collaborating with software and technology companies, the automotive industry can provide customers with advanced features to improve comfort, convenience, and safety.

How do you envision the integration of advanced embedded systems transforming vehicle functionalities and driver experiences in the near future? What technological advancements should industry leaders focus on to leverage these systems effectively?

Advanced embedded systems are essential for improving and transforming the overall vehicle performance, safety, and user experience. These systems will further power autonomous driving, predictive maintenance, and real-time vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication.

They are used to control and monitor various safety features of a vehicle as well as enhance the overall performance of the car. Drivers will further benefit from various features like adaptive cruise control, personalized infotainment, and seamless connectivity with smart devices, creating a more intuitive and immersive experience.

To leverage these systems effectively, industry leaders should focus on advancements in AI and machine learning, edge computing, and cybersecurity to ensure robust, real-time processing and protection of data. Enhancing SDV architectures will also allow for over-the-air updates, keeping vehicles future-ready without any hardware changes. By prioritizing these technological advancements, the automotive industry can harness the full potential of embedded systems, setting new standards for innovation and customer experience.

What leadership qualities are essential for guiding organizations through technology-driven transformations in the automotive industry? How can leaders foster a culture of innovation and adaptability among their teams?

Almost all industries are constantly evolving with disruptive technologies; hence leaders should possess visionary thinking to anticipate changes and to manage the upcoming trends in the industry. To further navigate through the evolving landscape, one needs to embrace adaptability. This will help foster a culture of innovation and will encourage the employees to experiment. Strong communication is another quality that leaders need to possess to create a clear strategic vision. Finally, resilience is vital to overcome challenges and setbacks, ensuring sustained progress. This will effectively help steer the organization through transformative change, positioning them for long-term success.

Leaders can foster a culture of innovation and adaptability by encouraging open communication and collaboration, creating an environment where diverse ideas are valued and explored. Continental too fosters a culture of innovation.

At Continental, we realize it is important to anticipate market needs and introduce innovative solutions for the future of mobility. To build an "intrapreneurial culture" internally we have something called ContiVation, an innovation platform for crowdsourcing ideas from our teams and evaluating them for potential development. Apart from this, our Innovation Academy is an eLearning platform on all topics regarding Continental’s innovation management.

A good validation of our innovation potential and focus - at CES every year we have been recognized for innovation. The latest example is our Radar Vision Parking, which was named a CES 2024 Innovation Award Honoree under the product category Vehicle Tech & Advanced Mobility. This is Continental’s eighth consecutive year of being recognized through this prestigious award program.

In the pursuit of business excellence, what strategic initiatives can automotive companies implement to enhance operational efficiency and product quality? How can these initiatives be aligned with broader industry trends and customer expectations?

Automotive companies can implement strategic initiatives at multiple levels.

From an R&D perspective, companies must strategically focus on improving the attention on mobility trends of the future. R&D investments become necessary to develop technologies to address these. Intrapreneurship and IP-focused culture should also be nurtured. Upskilling to handle technologies and tasks for the future should also be given enough attention.

Speaking of manufacturing, companies can adopt lean manufacturing and automation to reduce waste and improve precision, which will boost both speed and consistency. Gradually moving towards digitalization and implementing advanced AI, analytics, and IoT in manufacturing and supply chain management can optimize resource utilization, predict maintenance needs, and enhance precision, leading to higher product quality and reduced downtime. Therefore, collaborating closely with suppliers through digital platforms can further ensure the timely delivery of high-quality components.

Organizations also need to embrace sustainability by using renewable energy resources and eco-friendly materials to meet the demands of the customers. Therefore, these initiatives need to align with the upcoming automotive industry trends like automotive mobility, electrification, and sustainability, allowing companies to produce high-quality, and tech-driven vehicles that cater to evolving customer expectations.

Thus, by focusing on these areas, automotive organizations can achieve business excellence by staying competitive in a rapidly changing market.

How can the automotive industry accelerate the transition to electrification while ensuring sustainability and environmental responsibility? What collaborative efforts between industry leaders, policymakers, and technology providers are necessary to achieve this goal?

With a global push towards sustainability, the automotive industry is also heading in that direction by transitioning to electric vehicles. Electric vehicles offer a more efficient and sustainable mode of transport as they can be optimized for energy efficiency and performance, reducing fuel consumption and emissions.

With continued advancements in technology, consumer acceptance, and policy support, the future of automotive looks quite promising. Continuous R&D in the field of battery technology will improve the overall range and performance of EVs. Advancing the manufacturing processes and increasing the scale will lead to a significant decline in battery costs, making them more affordable which will drive higher adoption rates. Governments across the world are trying to implement policies to promote EV adoption by offering subsidies, tax incentives, and regulations that will eventually help reduce emissions. Continued policy support will be crucial for accelerating the transition to electric mobility. Additionally, increased investments in solar, wind, and other renewable technologies will further reduce the carbon footprint of transportation and support a sustainable energy future.