From Smarter to Hungrier: the Role of Energy Efficiency in Software-defined Vehicles
Abstract: Automated features and advanced driving support systems have enabled a range of life-saving and comfort applications in modern personal vehicles. Development from mostly mechanical entities towards truly software-defined devices also means that added sensor complexity, processing power, and networking capabilities provide a platform for running even more complex algorithms and applications. As vehicles become smarter, they require even more energy to enable advanced machine learning- and artificial intelligence-based functionalities. This paper discusses the implications for sustainability and the threats to environmental ethics posed by the development of software-defined vehicles. We discuss the balance between introducing more resource-hungry software and hardware components and their effect on society and sustainability. We underscore the need for novel tools to measure, manage, and optimise energy consumption and other sustainability indicators, with design guidance and actionable recommendations.