Vehicles of The Future: Mike Bloomgren Of Molex On The Leading Edge Technologies That Are Making Cars & Trucks Smarter, Safer, and More Sustainable

An Interview With David Leichner

Integrity: Operating with integrity is another guiding Koch principle, which is appropriate in the automotive sector because there are multiple pressures to deal with every day and it takes courage to always do the right thing. There are many examples of where a customer’s last-minute change order or slip in production can seriously impact our delivery schedules, but we stand by our agreements and never waver in our quality commitments to rush anything out the door.

The automotive industry has been disrupted recently with new exciting technologies that have made cars and trucks much smarter, much safer, and much more sustainable and more environmentally friendly.

What other exciting disruptive technologies will we see in the next few years? How much longer will fossil fuel powered cars be produced? When will we see fully autonomous vehicles? Can we overcome the challenge of getting stuck in traffic? As cars become “moving computers”, do we have to worry about people hacking our cars? How else will our driving experience be different over the next five years? Authority Magazine started a new interview series about “Exciting Leading Edge Technologies That Are Making Cars & Trucks Smarter, Safer, and More Sustainable.” In this series we are talking to leaders of automotive companies, automotive tech companies, EV companies, and other tech leaders who can talk about the vehicles of the future. As a part of this series, I had the pleasure of interviewing Mike Bloomgren. Mike is the SVP, president, Transportation & Industrial Solutions at Molex. Molex is a manufacturer of electronic, electrical, and fiber optic connectivity systems which offers over 100,000 products across a variety of industries, including data communications, medical, industrial, automotive and consumer electronics.

Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dive in, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your ‘backstory’ and how you got started in the automotive industry?

The automotive industry is transforming so rapidly that there’s never a dull moment. I’ve been hooked ever since I walked into my first automotive assembly plant in the early ’90s. Simply seeing the magnitude of how components, robots, people and processes came together over a mile-long assembly line to produce a car was so impressive! I realized each part, process and person has a vital role to play.

My entry into the industry started with a slight detour, but I’ve spent the better part of my 38-year career with Molex focused on growing our automotive business, which is the company’s largest division. I joined Molex as a sales engineer in Los Angeles then served in various roles across the data communications, data center and medical industries throughout southern California, Arizona and New Mexico. An opportunity to become a district sales manager in the automotive group was my introduction to the industry and I moved my young family to Detroit, the epicenter of the U.S. automotive industry.

After three years, we moved back to southern California for a job outside of automotive, but when an automotive leadership role in Auburn Hills, Michigan, emerged, I convinced my family to return. This move led to spearheading the entire division for the Americas, followed by a global VP role overseeing products for the transportation business. In 2015, I was appointed to my current role overseeing Molex’s global automotive business as a corporate SVP and president of Molex’s Transportation and Industrial Solutions division.

As a former baseball player, automotive for me is like being in the major leagues. Change is frequent and you need intestinal fortitude to thrive. It’s the most exciting industry to be in, especially now. New capabilities in hardware, software, storage and networking are driving next-generation vehicle architectures, which harken back to my days working in data communications and data centers. It’s all relevant but even more exhilarating because of the seismic shifts taking place across automotive.

Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?

There are endless stories from decades in this industry, but one stands out most. During the 2008–2009 financial crisis, the automotive industry struggled with global-scale recession, and many customers slowed production, and delayed or deferred new programs. We had a program that wasn’t living up to expectations with one of our major automotive OEMs, resulting in difficult pricing discussions that dragged on for months. To resolve this situation, the management team flew to Europe for a sit-down with the customer’s senior leadership.

We reiterated our plans to make the agreement more equitable for both parties, but it necessitated a price increase. After four hours of customer pushback, it was clear we had reached an impasse. I calmly shared that starting the following Monday, the customer could continue to receive the product at the new price. Upon hearing this, one of the OEM executives literally tried to jump across the table and throw me out of my own building! Luckily, calmer heads prevailed as we reinforced our goal to support their business in a way that was mutually beneficial to both organizations. Once the customer understood we were trying our best to remain their preferred partner, a deal was struck, and we continue to work with them to this day.

The moral of the story: Sometimes you have to play hardball to move the ball forward.

Can you tell our readers about the most interesting projects you are working on now?

Molex has a rich history of designing and delivering critical electronics, connectivity, high-speed networking, data storage as well as power and signal solutions that form the central nervous system of next-gen vehicle architectures. To keep pace with accelerated innovation, we are working across the entire automotive ecosystem, encompassing automotive OEMs, tier 1 or 2 auto-parts suppliers and contract manufacturers.

One example of this innovation is how we are embracing digital twin technology to respond faster and more efficiently to customers’ requirements. With digital twins, we can reduce new product introduction costs and risk as customers can place the digital twin of our product into their devices to test settings, simulate operation, detect issues and predict performance.

We are very excited about the work we are doing inside the vehicle, in what is called the “digital cockpit” in reference to the sensors, components and systems designed to elevate driving experiences. Equally rewarding is the work we are doing in Active Noise Cancellation, which involves advanced sensors that play critical roles in combatting unwanted road, wind and HVAC car noise while reducing low-frequency sounds that increase driver fatigue, especially in electrified vehicles.

Supporting vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communications is another interesting area, which requires flawless connectivity to the cloud, the use of different sensors for cameras, radar and LiDAR, as well as the ability to communicate with other cars and surrounding infrastructure. Of course, all this connectivity requires more high-speed connections in space-constrained applications, which is where we are leveraging our connectivity strengths in microminiature, high-speed, high-density and high-power applications.

Additionally, Molex is working closely with customers to advance their electrification plans, which include innovations in battery management systems as well as replacing the web of wires associated with traditional vehicle wiring harnesses. Our efforts to advance zonal architecture will dramatically reduce the number of Electronic Control Units (ECUs) in vehicles while reducing wire length, weight and cost.

How do you think this might change the world?

The massive transformation taking place in automotive is poised to change every aspect of the industry — from how vehicles are designed and delivered to how consumers interact with, drive or are transported. Increased electrification and improved communications (both within and outside of the vehicle) will have a major impact on car safety, efficiency and the environment.

Greater adoption of digital technologies is turning our vehicles into mobile data centers equipped with software, storage, networking and computing capabilities more commonly found in top-performing data centers. According to the results of a recent Data Center on Wheels survey commissioned by Molex and Mouser, 94% of automotive OEMs and suppliers polled believe that digital technologies are accelerating the design and development of next-generation vehicle architectures while elevating driving experiences.

In the near future, vehicles will function as extensions of our connected homes, with the majority being electric and much safer to operate. In less than five years, our survey respondents say new vehicles will come with a bevy of standard features ranging from safety and driver assistance, over-the-air software updates and subscription-model pricing that will make it easier to add new functionality when and as needed.

Massive advancements in electrification and Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS) will have major impacts on sustainability and safety. In the survey referenced above, respondents ranked In-car connectivity (e.g., Automotive Ethernet), data storage, cloud computing, immersive UX/UI and AI/ML as the most impactful technologies over the past five years. Meanwhile, innovations in out-of-car connectivity, especially 5G developments and vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communications, are expected to make major headway over the next five years. In addition to significant safety advancements, V2X technology will enable better communication with traffic lights to alleviate traffic congestion and reduce pollution-causing emissions in grid-locked cities.

Our vehicles are quickly becoming fully immersive virtual-experience transportation pods where passengers can conduct commerce, participate in conference calls, watch entertainment and engage in various activities while being transported to their destinations. Think about the opportunity for senior citizens and disabled individuals to rely on self-driving cars for transportation, enabling them to remain self-sufficient and independent. The ability to capture and monitor biometrics information about the vehicle’s passengers could result in life-saving actions, such as rerouting a trip to the hospital based on biometric feedback indicating an imminent medical emergency.

Keeping “Black Mirror” in mind, can you see any potential drawbacks of this technology that people should think more deeply about?

The ability to collect personal and/or biometric data creates concerns over data privacy and the potential threats of “Big Brother” monitoring behavior based on information collected by their vehicle and then shared with others. The debate about what we can do and should do will continue to dominate discussions about the role of technology — not just in automotive but across every aspect of how we work, live and play. Regardless, these ongoing discussions need to involve a cross-section of ethicists, technologists, academicians and others to ensure the collection of data isn’t overused, abused or exploited for nefarious means.

In ranking the biggest obstacles to building a data center on wheels, the participants in the Molex survey cited cybersecurity as the most difficult technology issue to solve. This is an area the industry will continue to grapple with as autonomous, connected vehicles become more commonplace.

What are a few things that most excite you about the automotive industry as it is today? Why?

The rapid pace of innovation is just incredible. Almost every day, there’s some new request, revelation or relevant news that showcases the power of leading-edge technologies to propel the industry forward. The level of excitement across the automotive ecosystem has generated heightened energy about what’s possible through greater collaboration and cooperation.

It’s encouraging to work with experts from various disciplines as they share ideas about how to improve the customer experience, elevate safety and produce more environmentally friendly products. It’s truly inspirational to hear someone like Mary Barra, General Motors’ Chairman and CEO, talk about her aspirations to lead the company to achieving zero crashes, zero emissions and zero congestion. Automotive leaders and stakeholders are changing conversations to focus on much more — and more important — than the number of cars rolling off production lines.

What are a few things that most concern you about the automotive industry as it is today? What must be done to address these challenges?

There needs to be greater recognition of the intense level of collaboration required to address technology obstacles. To lower roadblocks to automotive advancements, the relationship among automotive OEMs and their supplier ecosystem must take on new levels of engagement and exploration. Additionally, existing vendor ecosystems will need to interface more effectively with government entities and telecom companies to assure access to infrastructure and ongoing software updates.

Different skill sets are required to advance the industry and remove roadblocks. The semiconductor shortage and lingering supply chain constraints served as a wakeup call that automakers need to bring their suppliers into the fold much earlier so everyone can apply their respective predictive modeling to aid decision making.

There is a dire need for expanded partner ecosystems and talent acquisition across all areas of software, encompassing operating systems, AI models, functional safety, etc. One upside over the past two years is that companies across all industries now realize talent doesn’t need to be centralized at headquarters. For the automotive industry, this realization broadens the talent pool considerably. Of course, it will be up to the respective OEMs and suppliers to offer attractive packages to bring new expertise and experiences to the automotive industry.

Based on your vantage point as an insider in the automotive industry, what other exciting disruptive technologies will we see in the next few years? Can you share some of the new developments that will make vehicles smarter, safer, and more sustainable?

Many of the most disruptive technologies are focused on improving the driving experience, which begs the question of who will ultimately own it in the future? Clearly, automotive OEMs do not want to cede ownership to anyone else in the ecosystem as they continually invest in delivering the ultimate driving experience.

More than half of those polled in Molex’s Data Center on Wheels survey are looking to consumer tech companies (e.g., Apple, Google, etc.), cloud providers (e.g., Amazon/AWS, Microsoft, etc.) and suppliers with specific focus on digital tech for help in enabling new capabilities. In doing so, they face a risk of those other companies being faster or more adept at anticipating and meeting their customers’ needs, which could diminish the OEMs’ ownership of the driving experience.

If I were starting a new automotive OEM company, I would contemplate how to make my target customers’ lives better. To do that, I would determine the biggest pain points in terms of commute time, traffic congestion, need for autonomous driving, etc., and then lay the groundwork for customized experiences in mobility.

Aside from potential disruption in owning the driving experience, there are many exciting developments, such as “flying cars” with vertical take-off and landing capabilities. Of course, the never-ending list of safety features requiring advancements in cameras, radar and LiDAR will continue to evolve alongside major research efforts to improve and extend battery life.

In your opinion, how much longer will fossil fuel powered cars be produced? When do you think EVs will be the majority of vehicles in use? Can you explain?

There will still be a need for gas, diesel or some type of petrol-fueled transportation devices for the next 25 years or so, but volume will diminish dramatically in that period. It will come down to the applications and economics of maintaining fossil-fuel powered vehicles.

In the next decade, I predict an exponential uptick in EV penetration. Based on Molex’s Innovation in Electrification survey conducted in November 2021, 93% of those polled believe automobile electrification is on the cusp of a huge breakthrough, thanks to pro-electrification government policies, improved battery technology and an ever-increasing selection of electric/hybrid car models.

When do you think we will see fully autonomous vehicles deployed in a mainstream way? What do you think are the main barriers to reaching that stage?

It will take 20–25 years to see fully autonomous vehicles deployed in a mainstream way as there are a litany of hurdles that remain to be cleared, not the least of which is overcoming consumer fear of autonomous driving. Last month, VW’s CEO Herbert Diess shared his company’s expectation that widespread autonomous driving will occur within 25 years, which is prompting the German automaker to pursue partnerships to increase software self-sufficiency and develop new features, such as brand-specific voice assistants.

Among the toughest obstacles are the infrastructure, legislative mandates and network capabilities needed to optimize vehicle awareness within its surroundings and in all weather conditions. Let’s face it, driving in hazardous weather takes on entirely new risks. Molex works closely with automotive customers to ensure our connectivity solutions are ruggedized to withstand the harshest conditions.

Regulation also plays a huge part in the trajectory of autonomous vehicles, with many variables that will take time and a coordinated global effort to resolve. The move to fully autonomous driving will involve the development of complex algorithms and machine learning models that must constantly adapt to changing conditions. It’s crucial to understand how much data must be collected, aggregated and shared among multiple sources and technologies.

How else will our driving experience be different over the next five years?

In the next five years, expect to see continued evolution in Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). Parking-assistance, blind-spot detection, lane-change alerts and backup cameras already are standard on most new cars. There’s also an expectation of increased commerce making its way into driving experiences over the next five years, as it becomes more commonplace for alerts to come through mobile phones or the vehicle’s heads-up display advising drivers when their favorite restaurant or Starbucks can be located in proximity to their current location.

In addition, the use of virtual voice assistants will become more prevalent in the next five years as they become equipped with additional capabilities for communicating directly with the vehicle. Increased “sensing” functionality will gain traction as vehicles become equipped with more sensors and inputs about the driver in terms of regulating the temperature, windows and other aspects of the environment.

My expertise is in product security, so I’m particularly interested in this question. Recently there were famous cases of hackers breaking into the software running automobiles, for ransomware or for other malicious purposes. Based on your experience, what should auto companies do to uncover vulnerabilities in the development process to safeguard their vehicles? *Please note this interview will carry someone’s byline who comes from product security, which is why the question is worded this way

Cybersecurity is the biggest obstacle facing the automotive industry. It topped the list of technology issues most difficult to solve on the Molex survey, and for good reason. This is not a core area of expertise for most automotive stakeholders, which is why automakers are making significant investments to better understand and combat the problem.

They are hiring the hackers — and need to hire more to keep up with increasingly sophisticated breaches. I expect this area to gain a lot of support as the automotive ecosystem solicits the advice and talents of young software developers, security experts, hackers and gamers who are well versed in cybersecurity. An emphasis on rounding out the ranks with software experts and data scientists will help automotive OEMs fortify their software and reduce risk.

Additionally, they should explore technologies that can help reduce some of the software vulnerability. Automakers understand cybersecurity could be the biggest threat to undermining their efforts and adversely affecting their brand reputations, so they are investing a lot of resources and capital into addressing this problem.

Forming partnerships with Apple, Google and other software leaders as well as exploring security industry alliances should be part of the automotive playbook. Cybersecurity is an area ripe for innovation and alignment with industry titans to reduce threats and increase confidence in connected vehicles of the future.

In recent times, many auto manufacturers have introduced over-the-air (OTA) services that can potentially give hackers an entry point into the inner systems of the vehicles. Based on your experience, what can vehicle manufacturers do to respond to cyberattacks?

Vehicle manufacturers need to follow best practices for ensuring safe, secure OTA services by leveraging the efforts undertaken as part of their cybersecurity strategies. The bottom line: make security a corporate imperative, which requires both a security-focused mindset and endorsed methodologies for identifying threats and mitigating risks. This is new territory for many automotive stakeholders, which is why the opportunities to form alliances and bolster security and software expertise are so important. Now, more than ever, automotive OEMs and their suppliers need to think like consumer tech companies in adopting extra measures of data protection for their customers.

Fantastic. Here is the main question of our interview. What are your “5 Things You Need To Create A Highly Successful Career In The Automotive Industry?

From my perspective, the five things essential to creating a highly successful career in automotive include:

1. Principled Entrepreneurship: Borrowing from Koch Industries’ Market-Based Management (MBM®) principles, which empower individual and group decision making, this success factor is appropriate for the automotive industry as it aligns well with our approach with customers and partners. In Koch Industries’ parlance, principled entrepreneurship is about practicing a philosophy of mutual benefit. A great example is the collaboration we undertook with Bose to develop Active Sound Management technologies focused on reducing road noise, which is pervasive in EVs.
2. Intellectual Curiosity: There are so many changes taking place across the automotive landscape that it’s hard to keep track of all the priorities. That’s why Molex has undertaken a series of informational surveys targeting automotive decision makers. Starting in January 2021, we polled automotive stakeholders to better understand trends and technologies impacting the car of the future. In November 2021, we issued a survey on electrification, followed by the February 2022 survey on data center on wheels.
3. Integrity: Operating with integrity is another guiding Koch principle, which is appropriate in the automotive sector because there are multiple pressures to deal with every day and it takes courage to always do the right thing. There are many examples of where a customer’s last-minute change order or slip in production can seriously impact our delivery schedules, but we stand by our agreements and never waver in our quality commitments to rush anything out the door.
4. Intestinal Fortitude: Automotive is a full-contact sport and it requires intestinal fortitude to stop a production line if something is amiss as it’s much easier to let something go. We take a page out of Toyota’s playbook as an operator on any Toyota manufacturing line can stop the line if needed. It’s imperative to empower people with tools to do the right thing every time.
5. Relationships: I’ve always been in the business of forging relationships, which has been tested over the past two years when it wasn’t possible to sit across the table and connect personally and professionally. Many of the relationships formed and nurtured over the years are crucial to our success today, which makes it easier for automotive OEMs and other partners across the ecosystem to ask for help because they know and trust our ability to assist in any way we can.

You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)

I would love to foster a mental model around the pay-it-forward concept by which every high-school graduate offered a year of community service before entering college, trade school or the workforce. The idea is to tap into youthful passions and energy while giving these newly minted high-school grads an opportunity to have a dose of the real world and how a series of small actions can produce big results. This idea was inspired in part by the book, From Strength to Strength by Arthur Brooks, which offers a roadmap for finding purpose, meaning and success as we age.

How can our readers further follow your work online?

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-bloomgren-0793a59/

Thank you so much for the time you spent doing this interview. This was very inspirational, and we wish you continued success.

About The Interviewer: David Leichner is a veteran of the Israeli high-tech industry with significant experience in the areas of cyber and security, enterprise software and communications. At Cybellum, a leading provider of Product Security Lifecycle Management, David is responsible for creating and executing the marketing strategy and managing the global marketing team that forms the foundation for Cybellum’s product and market penetration. Prior to Cybellum, David was CMO at SQream and VP Sales and Marketing at endpoint protection vendor, Cynet. David is the Chairman of the Friends of Israel and Member of the Board of Trustees of the Jerusalem Technology College. He holds a BA in Information Systems Management and an MBA in International Business from the City University of New York.