Advancing autonomous vehicles and empowering women in tech

This article originally appeared in the October'24 magazine issue of Electronic Specifier Design – see ES's Magazine Archives for more featured publications

With over half a decade of experience in consumer product technology at major semiconductor companies, including several years in product development and design within the APAC region (Singapore) and now in product management and marketing in Europe (Germany), her focus spans various segments including automotive, IoT, and consumer electronics. Previously she has worked on the design of system on chips used for AI/ML, self-driving cars, and future applications.

In this exclusive Q&A for Electronic Specifier, Khokha talks about the advancements and challenges in semiconductor technology for autonomous vehicles, and career support and development for women in technology.

What are the key advancements in semiconductor technology driving the development of autonomous vehicles?

Semiconductor technology has enabled the development of advanced sensors such as LiDAR, radar, and cameras. High-performance microprocessors and system-on-chip (SoC) solutions have empowered autonomous vehicles to process large amounts of data in real time.

Semiconductor advancements have facilitated the integration of robust communication modules into autonomous vehicles, innovations in power electronics, such as wide bandgap (WBG) materials for power semiconductors, have enabled the development of more efficient and compact power systems.

Advanced semiconductor technologies have also played a key role in enhancing the safety and redundancy features of autonomous vehicles.

What are next-generation chips and how do they improve the safety and efficiency of Level 4 and 5 autonomous vehicles?

Next-generation chips refer to advanced semiconductor components and integrated circuits that are specifically designed to meet the demanding requirements of Level 4 and Level 5 autonomous vehicles. These chips incorporate cutting-edge technologies to  enhance the safety, computational power, energy efficiency, and connectivity of autonomous driving systems.

These chips often feature redundant architectures and built-in safety mechanisms to ensure fail-operation al capabilities. This means that even in the event of a component failure, the autonomous vehicle can continue to operate safely.

What are the main challenges in integrating specialty silicon chips into autonomous vehicles?

The integration of specialty silicon chips into autonomous vehicles presents several challenges, stemming from the complexity, safety-critical nature, and performance requirements of autonomous driving systems.

Specialty silicon chips must adhere to stringent reliability and functional safety standards, particularly for Level 4 and Level 5 autonomous vehicles. Ensuring the  reliable operation of these chips in diverse environmental conditions, under high thermal loads, and over extended operational lifetimes is crucial.

These chips often have high computational demands, leading to increased power consumption and heat generation.

Specialty silicon chips used in autonomous vehicles must efficiently process and fuse diverse data while maintaining real-time responsiveness. Developing hardware architectures capable of handling large volumes of sensor data and complex processing tasks is a considerable integration challenge.

How do you see semiconductor solutions in the automotive industry evolving over the next five years?

Semiconductor solutions will continue to play a pivotal role in the advancement of autonomous driving technology. We can expect to see the development of more powerful and specialised chips tailored for Level 4 and Level 5 autonomous vehicles. These chips will focus on enhanced computational capabilities, sensor fusion, real-time decision-making, and robust safety features to enable more sophisticated autonomous driving systems.

Solutions will evolve to support advanced communication protocols, support the growing demand for sophisticated ADAS features in conventional and autonomous-capable vehicles, incorporate hardware-based security measures, robust safety features, and compliance with automotive functional safety standards such as ISO 26262.

Do you think having fully autonomous cars on the road by 2026 is achievable? If not, what do you think it will take to get us there?

Achieving fully autonomous cars on the road by 2026 presents significant challenges.

The development of robust sensor fusion, decision-making algorithms, and fail-operational systems that can handle unpredictable and dynamic environments is still a work in progress.

To achieve the widespread deployment of fully autonomous cars by 2026, it would require concerted efforts.

Enhanced collaboration between industry stakeholders, regulatory authorities, and technology developers is essential to establish unified standards for autonomous vehicle technology, testing protocols, and safety certification processes.

Could you tell me why sensor fusion technology in autonomous vehicles is important and the role semiconductors play in this?

Sensor fusion technology in autonomous vehicles is crucial for creating a comprehensive and reliable understanding of the vehicle's surroundings. By combining data from multiple sensors such as cameras, LiDAR, radar, ultrasonic sensors, and other environmental sensors, sensor fusion enables the vehicle to perceive its environment with greater accuracy, redundancy, and resilience to varying environmental conditions.

Semiconductors play a critical role in enabling the efficient, reliable, and power-conscious implementation of sensor fusion technology in autonomous vehicles. Through their processing capabilities, integration features, redundancy support, and power-efficient design, semiconductor solutions contribute to the development of robust sensor fusion systems that are essential for the safe and effective operation of autonomous vehicles.

As a member of Women Who Code Singapore, what initiatives have you found most impactful in supporting women in technology?

As a Hardware Tech Lead at Women Who Code Singapore, I found mentorship programmes, networking events, technical workshops, leadership development programmes, and outreach efforts to schools and universities to encourage young women to pursue careers in technology as some of the most impactful initiatives taken by community members and volunteers. The idea behind it was to always support and empower Women in Technology with the help of women and allies.

How do you help individuals (notably women) in their career development journeys?

As a supporter of women in tech, I like to join a community, such as Women Who Code, Girls in Tech, and United Women Singapore. In these communities, I do technical talks and career talks. I especially enjoy shaping young minds and cultivating a sense of inquisitiveness in them for technology. I do this by mentoring young girls on how to navigate the career path in technology, which is still very much a male dominated field.

How does your experience in the semiconductor industry influence your mentoring and outreach activities?

My experience in the semiconductor industry provides me with the firsthand knowledge of the unique challenges and opportunities for women and underrepresented groups in the field. This understanding helped me channel these challenges into initiatives aimed at promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in technology. My vast network and problem solving skills also helped me take up challenging initiatives with the help of my peers.

What advice would you give to women aspiring to enter the semiconductor and automotive technology fields?

Engage with professionals in the industry, both men and women, who can provide mentorship, guidance, and support.

In male-dominated industries like semiconductor and automotive technology, it's important for women to be confident in their abilities and assertive in expressing their ideas and contributions. Embrace opportunities to showcase your expertise and leadership skills.

Since this article was published, Simran has also been included in the Top 100 Global Heroes list by youtube. You can find Simran’s bio here: Simran Khokha - INvolve Heroes.