Shoaib Writes

From Steel to Silicon: The Auto Industry’s Quiet Revolution There was a time when the most valuable part of a car was its engine. Today, it’s the software. Welcome to the age of  Software-Defined Vehicles (SDVs)  — where vehicles aren’t just machines, they’re intelligent platforms. Rather than relying on a web of 70 to 150 electronic control units (ECUs), SDVs run on centralized computers and zonal controllers. These digital brains control everything from infotainment to ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems), all running on software stacks that are upgradeable over the air. In essence, the modern car is no longer a product of steel alone — it’s now a  computer on wheels . Why SDVs Matter 1. Real-Time Vehicle Intelligence Central computers process massive amounts of data from sensors, radar, LiDAR, and cloud sources. Enables predictive maintenance, enhanced safety, and smarter autonomy. 2. Over-the-Air (OTA) Updates New features, bug fixes, and performance improvements...

 Introduction If you’ve felt like airplane disasters are suddenly all over the news, you’re not alone. The horrific crash of Air India Flight 171 has shocked travelers and triggered tough questions about flight safety. But does this mean flying is genuinely getting riskier, or is there more happening beneath the headlines? Let’s dive into what happened with Flight 171, why it matters, and what it reveals about today’s aviation safety landscape. The Numbers: Is Flying Actually More Dangerous Now? Spoiler alert: Commercial aviation is still extraordinarily safe. Let’s look at the stats: • 2023: One of the safest years, only one fatal commercial accident globally. • 2024: 46 accidents out of over 40 million flights—an accident rate so small, flying remains far safer than driving. • 2025: Some fatal crashes—most notably Air India 171—have appeared, but the overall risk per flight stays exceptionally low. Perception isn’t always reality: Major accidents, though rare, get mas...