Chapter 299 Deep Integration

Chapter 299 Deep Integration

Chapter 299 Deep Integration
Bai Xiaosheng started the road to listing, so Yu Xing was naturally very busy.

As the officially confirmed consultant of the tram team, the old deputy factory director Pang Ruiyang was tactful enough not to disturb Yu Xing or the entire team who were also very busy. Instead, he went through all the information that had been sorted out patiently and thought about how the tram should be made.

You don’t know until you understand. Once you understand, it seems like new things are emerging endlessly.

The three major parts of a fuel vehicle are the engine, gearbox, and chassis, which are the technological accumulation and experience of the century-old automobile industry. Even if the electric vehicle is an extended-range vehicle, it first bypasses the gearbox. Secondly, if the battery is placed in the chassis, the center of gravity makes it easier to adjust. Finally, the core function of the engine is to generate electricity, which assists in driving through a series structure with the generator, motor, and wheels.

This not only avoids the patent dilemma of the gearbox, but also eliminates the need for complex power coupling, greatly reducing the R&D threshold.

Pang Ruiyang developed a very real feeling of "one can learn as long as one lives", and he studied the knowledge of the new industry direction of trams almost day and night.

On the evening of June 6, the latest material from the tram team caught Pang Ruiyang's attention. He found that the inspection and contact of the high-sequence vehicle system was directly stopped by Yu Xing.

This decision seems quite strange.

Different from the auxiliary function of fuel vehicles, Pang Ruiyang saw in the research report that the electric vehicle system is positioned as an "information interaction hub for coordinated software and hardware". Its core function is to integrate energy data, transmit control instructions, etc., and it must also work in synergy with the battery management system and motor controller.

Pang Ruiyang pondered for a long time the wording used in the report to analyze the positioning, functions, and architecture of gasoline vehicles and electric vehicles, and basically agreed with the conclusions therein.

At the same time, he also saw the progress of the team's investigation and contacts in this regard, and determined that there was a company called Luchang in Pengcheng that was developing intelligent car machines and had entered the stage of cooperation and contact.

Logically speaking, compared with the difficulties in the development of die-casting machines and millimeter-wave radars, this kind of cooperation should be a perfect match, but...

Pang Ruiyang looked left and right, and only saw Yu Xing's approval to stop, which rarely came with any reason.

He thought about it over and over again that night, and couldn't help but call He Tianrui, the leader of the car computer team, to inquire about the details of this matter.

"Director Pang, I don't know why it was stopped. Maybe President Yu has new considerations. We need to wait and see." He Tianrui was actually a little confused and helpless.

Pang Ruiyang pondered for a while and asked, "Is Luchang Company's technical strength not good enough?"

"After our investigation, we found that Luchang Company is not bad. It is definitely better than those newly-funded projects." He Tianrui said seriously, "It has been established for 5 years. It started with GPS navigation. In 07, it launched a dedicated DVD navigation system that can cover mainstream models such as Volkswagen and Toyota. Last year, it developed 3G navigation. This year, it launched Android car navigation, which has very accurate positioning. It wants to upgrade the car navigation system from a navigation tool to an intelligent platform."

At this point, he turned to make a request: "Director Pang, General Manager Yu didn't give a reason. When you go back to see him, please ask him for us and find out what he thinks about this."

He Tianrui's team has already inspected all domestic suppliers and knows that President Yu is optimistic about the Android system. Therefore, they are more confident about promoting cooperation with Luchang Company and are particularly confused about why the unexpected change occurred.

Pang Ruiyang agreed, and the next morning after dinner, he awkwardly tapped on the screen and sent a very long WeChat message to Yu Xing.

In order to keep up with the times, he bought a touch-screen Android phone last week.

About ten minutes later, the reply came.

"I'm going to meet a PhD from BMW's EEA department on the 10th floor of the Shanghai World Financial Center at 15 a.m. on Saturday. You can come with me then."

Pang Ruiyang knew that EEA was the electronic and electrical architecture department, so he had high expectations for the BMW Doctor mentioned by Yu Xing.

However, when he met him on Saturday morning and saw that Zhuang Guanlin was a young man, and after introducing each other to each other, he learned that he was just an ordinary employee of BMW EEA, there was inevitably a gap. But he soon heard the analysis of the suspension of this car computer.

"Mr. Yu, since Google is a global giant that is developing the Android system, it will definitely promote it to cars in the future. However, its main focus now is on mobile phones. Although Luchang Company has developed the so-called Android car machine, it can only realize simple navigation and voice functions, which is completely different from the electric car you want to develop."

"In addition, I have to say that compared to building tram computers based on Android, I think Linux is more suitable for deep integration of different parts of trams, such as onboard processor SoC, power management module, bus controller... These all require more customized Linux to adapt, and the hardware requirements are also lower."

"BMW has already had a brief discussion with the Linux Foundation. They will definitely promote the standardized application of Linux in the automotive industry. This will not be too far away. However, Google is not sure. The growth of smartphones will be the top priority for Android in the next few years."

Zhuang Guanlin spoke freely, sharing his own opinions and talking about the information he got from his former employer.

Yu Xing has a vague understanding of the former, and is more interested in the latter revealed by Dr. Zhuang: "Will Linux have a project for automotive systems? Will it also be open source?"

Zhuang Guanlin confirmed: "It will definitely be open source, and there will probably be a lot of suppliers. At least, companies like Texas Instruments and Nvidia should join. I've seen your conversation with Musk. Tesla is actually quite popular in the United States right now. The Model S that he unveiled two years ago attracted a lot of attention."

Yu Xing nodded slightly: "In this case, we have to find Texas Instruments as a supplier to do this. We should use the power of open source to shorten the R&D time and difficulty as soon as possible."

His first goal in making electric cars at this stage is to make them successful, and his inspection and contact with the supply chain during this period is to find ways to catalyze the supply of parts that cannot be purchased. For example, millimeter-wave radars are not available at all.

If you want to be successful, you can't avoid giant companies like Texas Instruments and Intel.

If suppliers such as Texas Instruments, Intel and even Bosch work together to promote the standardization of Linux in the automotive industry, then taking advantage of this development to develop Linux-based car computers would be the best option.

"Yes, and, if it is developed based on Linux and the Android ecosystem is good in the future, we can also build in a customized Android operating environment to support some Android applications. After all, there won't be too many commonly used applications in the car." Zhuang Guanlin said seriously.

Yu Xing smiled and said, "If Dr. Zhuang is so confident, then I feel relieved. I just have a vague feeling that I can do this, but I will have the confidence to make the final decision only if you professionals speak up."

He contacted this employee of BMW's EEA department on Baixiaosheng. The other party was very enthusiastic from the very beginning. The two chatted in private messages on the forum for two days and decided to switch jobs and join.

Zhuang Guanlin worked at BMW's overseas headquarters, and this job change took him directly back to Shanghai from Munich, Germany.

Yu Xing was actually trying to poach people, and he didn't expect the other party to be so straightforward.

He refilled Dr. Zhuang's tea and handed a cigarette to Director Pang, who was increasingly confused. He then eased off the topic of technology and said with a smile, "Dr. Zhuang, I'm flattered that you're willing to come to Carbon Silicon Group. I've never had the nerve to ask, fearing that you wouldn't come if I asked. Now that you're in front of me, I dare to ask, why are you willing to come to our company?"

Zhuang Guanlin disagreed: "I'm not the president of BMW. I'm also very happy that President Yu is willing to let me join. I think electric cars are a very promising trend, but BMW is very slow in this area. If BMW is willing to push forward quickly, I may not think of leaving."

"But they are really slow in this area, including my classmates and friends who drive Mercedes-Benz and Audi, they are all similar in this regard."

"I have been following Tesla's progress. If there is no opportunity here with Mr. Yu, I might try Tesla."

Zhuang Guanlin finally smiled and said, "Of course, I'm also very curious about what kind of person Mr. Yu is who can operate WeChat to that level, and to what extent he can do with electric cars. Well, the extended-range route, although I don't appreciate it very much, it is indeed valuable to users and is conducive to success in a shorter period of time." He is a quasi-senior user of Bai Xiaosheng, and has watched the entire process of Dr. Yu operating WeChat. He is also amazed that a giant like Penguin has fallen into its current embarrassing strategic situation.

If he didn't have this appreciation, Zhuang Guanlin would not have considered coming. But after chatting online, especially after seeing the supply chain situation sorted out by Carbon Silicon Group, he made the final decision and was willing to return to China to try his chance.

Based on the materials judgment of the carbon silicon electric vehicle team, he concluded that there are many weak links in the domestic supply chain. However, this is both a disadvantage and an opportunity.

If you want to make a good tram, you must have suppliers who are willing to cooperate.

For new projects like Silicon Carbon Group, it is easy to imagine what kind of collaborative R&D can be provided by established international suppliers such as BorgWarner in the United States and Denso in Japan. If electric vehicles are to be integrated and carry out technological innovation, the more collaboration among suppliers, the deeper the integration.

It is difficult for the old brands to keep up with the pace, but these domestic start-up companies must keep up with the pace.

Zhuang Guanlin believes that from this point of view, latecomers may not necessarily be unable to arrive first. After all, there is still a big difference when switching from fuel vehicles to electric vehicles.

He had many considerations in his mind, but at this moment, facing Mr. Yu's inquiry, he gave another reason: "Besides, Mr. Yu is a good boss and is willing to share the money, so I am definitely willing to work hard with him."

Yu Xing smiled and said, "There's no need to talk about the money sharing, Dr. Zhuang. I have another question or aspiration. Nowadays, smartphones can remotely upgrade their systems. This aspect is already very mature. Since electric vehicles are controlled by the car computer and electronic control, can they also be remotely upgraded like mobile phones?"

Zhuang Guanlin was slightly startled, and after thinking for a few seconds, he said, "Honda upgraded its navigation system and remotely locked the car through T-Box in 2000."

Yu Xing nodded and said, "I know that, but it's just the car's infotainment system, not the core functions. The power system, battery management, and human-computer interaction of the electric car we want to make are all different from those of fuel vehicles. So can we remotely upgrade these important functions as we develop them, just like the mobile phone system?"

Zhuang Guanlin had never thought about this direction before, and he lowered his head to think.

Yu Xing continued, "I talked to Musk when I met him. He didn't say much, just that this is different from fuel vehicles. It's no longer a patch, but an evolution of functions. What do you think?"

This is actually the OTA function that has gradually been accepted by the new energy industry since the Tesla Model S.

OTA remote online upgrade remotely updates the software system and functional modules through the network, which can cover important modules such as power system, chassis control and subsequent intelligent driving capabilities.

However, there is no discussion in this direction right now.

The lack of discussion does not mean that it cannot be envisioned and implemented.

After listening to Yu Xing's words, Zhuang Guanlin had many thoughts in his mind: Can it be done? Yes, electrification, electrification, how to electrify, this is a very pioneering direction.

Fuel vehicles can be said to be mechanically dominated hardware vehicles. After electric vehicles have electric power, they can become mobile smart terminals through the three-electric system and centralized electronic architecture.

Zhuang Guanlin's thoughts jumped to Google, which started researching driverless cars in 2009. If driverless cars are to be realized, cars must undoubtedly become smart terminals. Once this is realized, it will be no less than the development from the steam age to the electrical age.

He sat in his office on the 15th floor of the Shanghai World Financial Center, his eyes a little unfocused. If he wanted to achieve such upgraded functions, he would have to place higher demands on suppliers and have deeper standards for joint research and development with the supply chain.

Deep integration, deep integration.

Only through deep integration can remote upgrades and electrification transformation be achieved, which goes back to the supply chain investigation, sorting, cooperation and catalysis that Silicon Carbon Group is currently doing.

If you want to seek deep integration, what you are doing now is the first step.

The long-term goal has now returned to the real work.

Zhuang Guanlin thought for a long time in silence, and then slowly said, "Mr. Yu, the updates of traditional car companies are limited to a single module. For example, BMW can also update the navigation map, but it is a SOTA software upgrade and will not involve the underlying power and chassis systems. If you want to achieve such a remote upgrade for electric vehicles, you first need to integrate the ECU electronic control unit of the entire vehicle, which is very difficult."

Yu Xing smiled and stretched out his right hand: "Is it difficult? Do you want to try it?"

Zhuang Guanlin suddenly stretched out his right hand and slapped Yu Xing's hand heavily: "I miss you so much!!"

"OK, Dr. Zhuang, then you give it a try. Let's see how to build a team for this." Yu Xing said seriously, "I think it's feasible. We can have a good period of development."

Zhuang Guanlin thought about the work that could be done step by step to achieve a new direction, and he felt all his brain nerves excited.

He smiled and said, "Mr. Yu, you are better than I thought!"

The old deputy director Pang Ruiyang, who was getting more and more confused the more he listened, finally found an opportunity to speak up: "Yes, Yu Xing, you are good."

Yu Xing glanced at Pang Ruiyang, then returned his gaze to Zhuang Guanlin's face. Before he could say anything, he heard his cell phone ringing.

When he saw Xiong Xiaoge's name, he only said one sentence at the end: "We must have the deep integration capability of software and hardware."

Seeing Mr. Yu answering the phone, Zhuang Guanlin couldn't help but want to comment, so he sighed to Pang Ruiyang beside him: "This is the essence of the requirement."

Pang Ruiyang felt a little nervous, but he answered calmly, "Yes, that's right!"

Yu Xing walked a few steps to the floor-to-ceiling window and greeted Xiong Xiaoge on the other end of the phone with a smile. He thought they were talking about Bai Xiaosheng's listing, but he didn't expect to receive a notice about the tram project.

"Mr. Yu, IDG needs to invest the money it has. If there is no movement from your side in the short term, you have to wait a little longer while we discuss other projects." Xiong Xiaoge said with a smile, "Or, I can reserve a portion for you, but the scale will have to be reduced."

Yu Xing was a little surprised and thought for a few seconds before saying, "Is it too hot to spend the money? If you want to spend it, just give it to me."

"IDG doesn't belong to me alone. If you want money, you have to give me and IDG's partners a charter for investment." Xiong Xiaoge's tone became more serious.

Yu Xing's work process was a little disrupted, but he didn't mind showing the PPT and asking for money first: "Okay, Mr. Xiong, I'll confirm the time and we'll have a chat then. I'll try my best to make you spend as much money as you want."

(End of this chapter)