Analysis of the ICT Growth Potential in Autonomous Driving

In my thesis, I explored and described information and communication technologies used in autonomous driving. The technology will provide extensive market opportunities for software companies. Its downside is expensive long-term R&D, partially mitigated by manageable risks. It will take at least 15 years to reach mass market and that is why there were analyzed preceding technologies based on hype curve provided by Gartner. The theory section discussed implications of Innovator's dilemma, by Clayton Christensen, and innovation theory, by Geoffrey Moore, in automotive industry. The literature review analysed key technology aspects and put them into perspective. Tesla Motors, BMW and Bosch technology road maps were discussed. Thesis used twelve individual interviews with Czech experts from Škoda Auto, Valeo, Bosch, Unicorn, Continental, Openmatics and other companies to analyse actual and expected development in the Czech Republic. The findings showed that software companies, based in the Czech Republic, focus on connected car and advanced driving systems development. These technologies create ground for development of fully autonomous cars in the coming decades. Therefore companies will demand mainly software developers from two fields, creating opportunities for University of Economics in Prague and Czech Technical University. Thesis proposed Car Resource Planning to integrate autonomous cars with ERP. The industry also need to create the dual integrated development environment to accelerate connected car software development.