The automobiles that we use to commute from one place to the other, have transformed into intelligent machines. In the last couple of decades, we have seen many electronic functions including software in a car that can help the driver in making informed decisions, and at the same time perform required tasks by itself, thus enabling enhanced user experience and safety. However, the presence of such complex functions, which are safety-critical systems, can also increase the risk of failure. This is where risk assessment as part of ISO 26262 is implemented in the concept phase of the development process to ensure functional safety in the automobile.

So before moving to the approaches involved in ISO 26262, let’s find out why it is important for automotive companies and what benefits it provides.

ISO 262262 is like a rulebook for making sure automobiles and other vehicles are as safe as possible. It is a set of guidelines that carmakers follow to make sure their vehicles provide the utmost safety to their customers and keep them out of danger.

Helps to minimize risk level:

One big benefit of sticking to ISO 26262 is that it makes cars safer. By following these rules, car companies can lower the chances of potential risks with their vehicles, which means fewer accidents and injuries on the road.

It’s also a way for carmakers to show they’re playing by the rules. Governments and regulators have strict safety standards for cars and following ISO 26262 helps car companies meet those standards without any hiccups.

Helps to avoid business losses

Another good thing about ISO 26262 is that it helps automotive firms to manage risks better. They must look at all the things that could go wrong with their cars and figure out how to stop them from happening. That means fewer surprises down the road.

Helps in reducing time-consuming rework

ISO 26262 gives carmakers a roadmap for building their cars. It lays out step-by-step how they should design, test, and make their vehicles, making sure they’re as safe and reliable as possible.

By following ISO 26262, car companies can make sure their cars are less likely to break down or have problems. That means happier customers and fewer headaches for the carmakers.

And because ISO 26262 is recognized worldwide, it helps automotive companies sell their vehicles in different countries. People everywhere want safe cars, and ISO 26262 shows that a car meets those standards, no matter where it’s sold.

Overall, sticking to ISO 26262 helps these companies make safer, more reliable vehicles, which keeps everyone on the road safer and happier.

Analyzing the situation and risk assessment

The situation and the operating modes in which the vehicle malfunctions, has to be considered while analyzing the failure. These situations, operating modes, and the potential risks it poses have to be recorded and then analyzed effectively. The potential risks can be identified using various tools or field trials in a controlled environment. This will help in identifying the hazards based on the consequences.

Classifying the Hazards

Once you have identified potential hazards. they have to be classified based on three different factors. These factors are defined according to ISO 26262 – severity, controllability, and probability of exposure.

Severity

Each hazard may have a different severity level, as not all hazard or failure may lead to a fatal problem. The main question that needs to be asked is how much of a potential damage does it cause to the passengers, or the driver. On the basis of ISO 26262, we can draw different severity levels.

Probability of Exposure

Just as there are different levels of severity, there are also different classes of probability of exposure. The probability of exposure is always different depending on the operational situation. The probability of exposure can be assigned to relevant classes depending on the hazard based on the estimation.

Controllability

Another factor that needs to be determined is that in case of a hazardous event, will the driver or passenger be able to have any control over it?  Controllability has to be determined and it has to be classified accordingly. Again, controllability can be classified in different levels.

Determining ASIL

ASIL (Automotive Safety Integrity Level) is a risk classification system defined by ISO 26262. As seen before, there are four levels of ASILs that have been defined in ISO 26262 starts from ASIL A to ASIL D, with D being the highest level. The ASIL levels are determined based on the above discussed points- severity, controllability, and probability of exposure.

There are various automotive systems such as anti-lock braking technique, power steering, and airbags that require an ASIL-D as the risks associated with their failure are the highest. On the other hand, components such as rear lamps require an ASIL-A grade, while headlamps and brake lights require an ASIL-B, and cruise control systems come under ASIL-C.

Forming Safety Goals

Safety goals are nothing but top-level security requirements. A safety goal can be determined for each hazard evaluated in the hazard analysis. They are not part of the technological solution but they are part of the functional objectives of the development lifecycle. One potential hazard could have multiple safety goals.

There are various other factors that can be incorporated in fulfilling your functional safety requirements. Understanding these approaches and implementing them effectively will help in addressing functional safety requirements according to the standards. This in turn improves the overall driving experience and safety. eInfochips leverages its experience around various automotive smart systems like ADAS, Telematics, Infotainment and Clusters, Multimedia Systems etc. eInfochips is well versed with automotive standards like ISO 26262 and has experience of delivering systems that are certified according to various regulatory standards. To know more about our automotive expertise, get in touch with us.