Signs Distribution Agreement with UK-Based Secondmind for AI in Model-Based Development

SC Automotive Engineering Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Toshimi Yamanoi), a company engaged in automotive-centered engineering development, has entered into a distribution agreement with Secondmind, a UK-based provider of AI solutions for model-based development (Head Office: Cambridge, UK; Japan Office: Yokohama, Kanagawa; hereinafter “Secondmind”).

In the automotive industry, the advancement of CASE technologies has led to increasing complexity in in-vehicle control systems and rising development challenges. In response, more companies are adopting AI and digital transformation (DX) to achieve faster and more efficient development processes. Based on its world-class AI and advanced technologies, Secondmind offers the following two AI solutions for complex automotive development via a cloud-based SaaS model:

In the system design phase, simulations are used to determine design parameters that meet performance targets. However, the sheer number of parameter combinations makes traditional experience-based or exhaustive search methods time-consuming. By leveraging Secondmind’s proprietary AI and Active Learning technology, simulation runs can be reduced by 50–90%, and in some cases, procurement costs for electric vehicle motors have been reduced by approximately ¥3,900 compared to conventional approaches. Additionally, the ability to validate design feasibility in the early stages helps minimize rework and significantly shortens development timelines.

Calibration of control systems such as engines and motors typically requires numerous experiments and manual data validation, leading to prolonged development times. Secondmind’s AI technology has been proven to shorten this process by approximately 50–80%. By predicting and selecting the most impactful data points toward achieving objectives, the solution significantly improves the efficiency of calibration processes.

SC Automotive Engineering leverages over 30 years of development experience, primarily with automotive OEMs, and provides engineering services for a wide range of mobility companies, including motorcycles and marine vessels. Utilizing Sumitomo Corporation’s global network, the company has delivered solutions to diverse customer challenges. Going forward, SC Automotive Engineering aims to widely promote Secondmind’s innovative and practical AI solutions to support the realization of highly efficient development processes that go beyond conventional design and development. This will contribute to faster product time-to-market, improved cost competitiveness, and more effective utilization of in-house resources.