Watt's the big idea: South Korea's next generation battery moves
Autology
Today’s episode of Autology takes you inside InterBattery 2026 in Seoul to decode what the world’s biggest battery players are really signaling right now. This year’s show didn’t just feel like an EV-focused expo—it felt like a turning point: a broader, sharper and a growing race to win the next era of batteries – not just for EVs but also for rapidly evolving applications in energy storage, AI, robots, and beyond. Key highlights include: a) A government warning with a deadline: We unpack Vice Minister Moon Shin-Hak’s ‘5–7 years’ message—why Korea sees a narrowing...
info_outline
CAM Jam: The Cathode Race
Autology
Today's episode of Autology dives deep into the pivotal role of cathode active materials (CAM) in shaping the future of global battery manufacturing and electric vehicle (EV) adoption. The speakers break down why CAM is the most expensive and performance-critical component in EV batteries, how it influences cost, energy density, and cycle life, and what this means for automakers and consumers worldwide. Key highlights include: CAM Overview: CAM, comprising materials like lithium, nickel, and cobalt, accounts for up to 45% of battery cell costs and is central to battery performance. The...
info_outline
Supplier Soundbytes: When software takes the wheel
Autology
In the automotive industry, some technologies spend decades in the realm of promise before quietly becoming inevitable. Steer-by-wire is one of them. For years, the idea of removing the mechanical link between the steering wheel and the road wheels felt more like a concept-car talking point than a near-term engineering reality. Yet in the latest episode of Supplier Soundbytes, S&P Global Mobility’s concise Autology podcast series, that assumption is challenged. Our guest is Jake Morris, portfolio director for steer-by-wire at ZF Group, and his message is straightforward: The conditions...
info_outline
Supplier Soundbytes: Rare earths, real politics
Autology
For years, rare earth elements were the wallflowers of the electric vehicle revolution: chemically exotic, geopolitically awkward and largely ignored. Lithium and cobalt stole the limelight. Rare earths — essential to the permanent magnets that power electric motors — were treated as a niche sustainability concern, a footnote to the main act. No longer. As supply chains fray and industrial policies harden, rare earths have been recast as instruments of national security. Control over them increasingly shapes trade policy, investment screening and corporate strategy. Carmakers that once...
info_outline
Supplier Soundbytes: When cars learn to reason
Autology
info_outline
Supplier Soundbytes: The car is learning to talk back
Autology
The modern car is already a rolling computer. Now it is being taught to converse. In Supplier Soundbytes, S&P Global Mobility’s new concise podcast series, industry executives dissect the forces reshaping the automotive supply chain. In this episode, Dr Moritz Neukirchner, Senior Director, Head of Cross-Portfolio Growth and Strategic Alliances for Elektrobit, argues that AI agents are poised to become the organising interface of the software-defined vehicle (SDV)—not a decorative add-on, but a functional necessity. At the 2026 CES in Las Vegas, carmakers and suppliers showcased AI...
info_outline
Bidirectional charging technologies and their role in global EV adoption
Autology
Today's episode of Autology attempts to discuss and examine the critical role of bidirectional charging (BDC) in enhancing the adoption of battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) globally. The speakers discuss what are the different types of bidirectional charging technologies, and why are they key to grid stability amid increasing vehicle electrification. Key highlights include: BDC Overview: BDC allows EVs to both receive and send electricity, transforming them into energy storage solutions that can help balance supply and demand on power grids. Use Cases: The technology supports various...
info_outline
The Steel Deal: Lightweighting the Future of EVs
Autology
In this episode of Autology, Matthew Beecham sits down with Mengyin Tao, Principal Research Analyst for Materials at S&P Global Mobility, and Ingo Olschewski, Director of WorldAutoSteel, to explore how advanced high-strength steel (AHSS) is reshaping modern vehicle design and manufacturing. Tune in to gain insights into the challenges and opportunities created by the rapid shift toward electric vehicles (EVs) - from the growing demand for lightweight materials to the ongoing need to maximize safety and performance. The conversation delves into innovative fabrication methods such as...
info_outline
Exploring the dynamics of automotive software development
Autology
Over the past decade, automotive software development has transitioned from a supporting function to a core driver of innovation within the automotive industry. As vehicles become increasingly connected, autonomous, and electrified, the demand for sophisticated software solutions continues to surge. Understanding the evolving forces shaping this landscape is essential for stakeholders aiming to make informed procurement and investment choices. From regulatory shifts to technological breakthroughs, several key forces influence the development and deployment of automotive software services....
info_outline
Light up the night: ADB in North America – Challenges and opportunities
Autology
Having been approved by regulations in 2022, adaptive driving beams have finally entered the North American market. Despite being adopted en masse in Europe, only two OEMs in the US have rolled out the technology. Our lighting expert Tanya Chantiri hosts Arunkumar Pesala, automotive lighting engineer at SL America Corporation, to discuss the reason for the delay, the slow adoption rates post-approval and the potential growth of the technology in the near future. Tune in to find out how and why North America’s regulations and standards are more stringent than its European counterpart, as well...
info_outlineThe modern car is already a rolling computer. Now it is being taught to converse.
In Supplier Soundbytes, S&P Global Mobility’s new concise podcast series, industry executives dissect the forces reshaping the automotive supply chain. In this episode, Dr Moritz Neukirchner, Senior Director, Head of Cross-Portfolio Growth and Strategic Alliances for Elektrobit, argues that AI agents are poised to become the organising interface of the software-defined vehicle (SDV)—not a decorative add-on, but a functional necessity.
At the 2026 CES in Las Vegas, carmakers and suppliers showcased AI copilots designed not merely to chat, but to manage the growing complexity of the modern vehicle—adjusting drive modes, configuring advanced driver-assistance systems, personalising cabin settings and navigating increasingly layered infotainment menus through natural conversation. The ambition is less about booking dinner than orchestrating the car itself. Yet, as Dr Neukirchner observes, the leap from demonstration to dependable deployment is slower than the hype suggests.
The obstacle is not only technical. It reflects the awkward realities of regulation, computing power and trust. Privacy regimes differ sharply between Europe, America and China. Carmakers must decide which data may leave the vehicle and which must remain within it. The emerging answer is “edge AI”: inference performed inside the car. Processing on board reduces latency, limits data-transfer costs and helps satisfy regulators wary of cloud dependency.
Yet the cloud will remain indispensable. Training models, pushing updates and handling compute-intensive workloads will continue to rely on remote infrastructure. The likely outcome is a hybrid architecture, with responsibilities divided between vehicle and server according to use case and jurisdiction.
Beneath the technical debate lies a larger shift. As vehicles become more software-driven, their functionality grows more intricate. Without a new interface, complexity risks overwhelming the driver. AI agents, argues Dr Neukirchner, may become the layer that renders the SDV usable. In that sense, they are less a novelty than a necessity.
Dr. Moritz Neukirchner
We’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Reach out to us at autology@spglobal.com, and discover more insights at autotechinsight.spglobal.com.
Don’t forget to hit the subscribe, follow, and like buttons to stay updated with the latest episodes of Autology.
Subscribe: