204. Mark Zachos & The Future of Onboard Diagnostics In Cars (Interview)

The Next Byte Podcast · 10 Dec 2024 · 39m

What this episode covers

Mark Zachos, an automotive expert and professor at the University of Detroit Mercy, discusses the evolution of onboard diagnostics (OBD) from emissions monitoring to EV management. He explains how regulatory pressure, particularly from the California Air Resources Board, drives the shift from legacy protocols like CAN to high-bandwidth Ethernet for over-the-air updates and reprogramming. Zachos contrasts the risk-averse culture of traditional US OEMs with the rapid, standardized innovation seen in China, emphasizing that involvement in standards bodies like SAE International is critical for career growth and business development.

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