Predictive Maintenance in Autonomous Vehicles

Abstract

The development of autonomous and assisted driving technologies marks a turning point within car production and usage processes. The vehicle's capability of moving from one point to another in a highly optimized manner is accomplished by using dedicated computer resources. Coordinating all the applications with distinct purposes relies on data sharing and communication links. Taking into account the common goal of assuring efficiency and safety, vehicle maintenance should be carried out by involving all the above-mentioned applications. Hence, maneuvering the vehicle for a regular checkup at a dealership or service center is growing toward the load-unloading procedure of additional data rather than the technical checks carried out. Instead of complicating usage and increasing malfunctions by adding applications, significance should be given to maintenance proactivity in order to assure the same reliability, if not higher. The current practice assumes that a required technical check is carried out on a vehicle by a third person or entity, based on common wear and the distance traveled, which inherently neglects some of the common usage stresses accumulating on a vehicle and disregards the miles between one technical check and another.