"Semiconductor technology is the source of nearly all electronic innovation. Failure to understand the semiconductor is failure to understand the basis of digitization.” 

Ricky Hudi


Innovation cycles in the automobile industry are clearly distinct from the rhythms in the semiconductor industry. While as a rule there are seven years between two automobile generations, the product cycle in the semiconductor industry is only 15 to 18 months.

Already today, between 3,000 to 6,000 semiconductors per vehicle operate in the models of all vehicle manufacturers in different sizes, depending on class, in various electronic control devices. 

With the exception of the car body itself, there are nearly no innovations in the automobile any longer that are not directly or indirectly associated with electronics and software. 

The basis for this however, in turn, is built by semiconductor technology.

Certainly also molded by my studies (electrical engineering, computer science, chip design) and comprehensive, far reaching experience with nearly all complex electronic systems that are in a modern automobile today, I started the Audi Progressive SemiConductor Program (PSCP), together with my experts in 2010. 

The goal of the cross-sector semiconductor strategy is to make the newest technology available for the vehicle models early on, and to guarantee that the changing expectations of customers are met. 

The automobile sets the highest demands on built-in semiconductors, above all robustness, long term quality and function across a wide temperature range. 

As a result of the close cooperation with leading international high tech companies, important technologies can be incorporated into the automobile more quickly.

Therefore strategic partnerships with such companies have been entered into in the context of the Audi PSCP.