Abstract

From the days of steam-powered vehicles to driverless cars and electric vehicles, the automotive industry has evolved significantly over the years. With this evolution, the importance on safety of the driver and the passengers is becoming increasingly critical for the automotive industry. Because of the rise of electrification of the vehicle and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), the automotive industry has become more and more dependent on semiconductor components for vehicle functionality. As a key player in the semiconductor industry, Texas Instruments (TI) has a critical role to play in supporting automotive Functional Safety. This article explores the concept of automotive Functional Safety, why Functional Safety is important, and the role that TI plays in making sure that the vehicles we drive are safe.