Daimler Trucks NA on ISO 26262 developments

Automotive IQ had the chance to interview Michael Bucala, Lead Engineer - Vehicle Systems Quality from Daimler Trucks, before the upcoming event ISO 26262 USA, where Mr. Bucala will be presenting.

Mr. Bucala, what does your role entail and what projects are you currently working on?

I am the overall Functional Safety Manager for Daimler Trucks North America.  I also represent our company on the US contingent of the ISO 26262 development committee.  Within the Quality Engineering Department, I initiate the safety lifecycle for all projects, analyze the designs, and compile the Safety Cases.  This work is focused at the Mechatronics Feature level.

You are one of the speakers at the upcoming ISO 26262 US conference. What will you be talking about?

My presentation will focus on the extension of ISO 26262 to trucks and buses.  I will discuss how product variation, business models, and organizational factors influence functional safety management.

The next iteration of ISO 26262 is in the works. Will the changes in there influence regulations in the US or the world? Why do you think so?

We’ve already seen publications from NHTSA on automated vehicles and cybersecurity.  Compared to the previous administration, the current administration is not as inclined to pass major regulatory measures.  However, increasing levels of driver assistance will likely meet continuing pressure from Congress for regulatory oversight.

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Where do you see the biggest challenges when it comes to ISO 26262 and ADAS or even autonomous driving?

SOTIF procedures are still under development.  These are especially important for ADAS.

Where do you – overall – see the strengths and weaknesses with ISO 26262?

ISO 26262 provides a structural framework for functional safety management, but it requires a great deal of OEM and supplier engineering resources to implement.  In the short term, companies that choose not to implement ISO 26262 may have a competitive advantage.  The method relies on FMEA to identify causes of failure, which may not be applied very well. Cybersecurity seems to be a bigger concern, which may also cause hazards.  However, it is receiving much less attention.

Mr. Bucala, thank you very much for your insight.