Arrow Electronics has launched a strategic initiative and research center to support electrical and electronic (E/E) architecture in next-generation vehicles.
The available resources provide automotive manufacturers and Tier 1 suppliers with the engineering expertise and supply chain stability needed to overcome the industry's shift towards software-defined vehicles.
As consumer and commercial vehicles evolve toward more complex and intelligent platforms, the traditional method of adding a separate computer for each new electronic function is no longer sustainable. E/E architecture represents a complete overhaul of the "nervous system" within modern vehicles.
This fundamental shift moves away from hundreds of individual components toward a more centralized system where powerful computing centers manage multiple functions. This transition can streamline and harmonize systems and operations, while reducing a car's internal wiring by up to 20 percent, resulting in vehicles that are lighter, more energy-efficient, and easier to update via software throughout their lifecycle.
Aggregation of hardware, software, and supply chain expertise
Arrow is a central aggregator of E/E architecture solutions, bridging the gap between individual components and fully integrated systems. Arrow's design engineering services portfolio includes a dedicated team of automotive experts providing cross-technology support across both the semiconductor and IP&E (interconnect, passive, and electromechanical components) sectors.
This technical expertise is complemented by a large global inventory and robust supply chain services that help ensure confidence through traceable, multi-source component strategies and proactive obsolescence planning so that automakers have the right components on hand when they need them.
In addition to hardware, Arrow has significantly expanded its transportation software footprint in recent years to include expertise in AUTOSAR, functional safety standards, and automotive cybersecurity.
Strengthening the automotive ecosystem
“E/E architecture is the cornerstone of the modern automotive revolution, enabling the transition from hardware-centric machines to software-defined intelligent mobility,” said Murdoch Fitzgerald, director of global services growth at Arrow Components, Arrow Electronics. “By combining our global engineering reach with a broad range of components and specialized software expertise, we are well-positioned to help our customers overcome this complexity, reducing their time to market and helping ensure their platforms are designed to adapt as the industry evolves.”
Arrow's E/E architecture initiative is based on the 2024 acquisitions of specialist software firms iQmine and Avelabs, leading providers of engineering services to the automotive and transportation industries. These additions have strengthened Arrow's software development centers and its Automotive Center of Excellence.
To support engineers and procurement leaders through the redesign of the E/E architecture, Arrow has launched a new dedicated research center. This online resource provides comprehensive technical knowledge, technical documents, and design tools specifically for E/E architecture development.
Detailed resources, technical documents, and technical expertise can be accessed at Arrow's E/E Architecture Research Centre here.
