Driving the Future: How an Engineer Is Powering AI and Cybersecurity in Next-Gen Vehicles

Today’s cars are no longer just machines that move us from one place to another, but there’s more to it. They are software-driven, highly connected systems that rely on real-time data, smart sensors, and secure communication. As the industry continues to shift toward electric and autonomous vehicles, the need for stronger, smarter technology keeps arising. 

At a leading electronics division, a seasoned professional, Veera Venkata Krishnarjun Rao Adabala, is playing a key role in making that happen. As a Lead Electronics Software Developer, he is combining artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity to improve how modern vehicles work and how safely they operate in a connected world. 

A significant project of his focuses on using AI to make vehicles more responsive to their environment. By designing microcontroller software that learns from accelerometer data, he has helped develop more innovative vehicle door systems that react more naturally to motion and input. This technology has already been applied to vehicles like the Cadillac Escalade, improving how quickly and accurately side doors respond to different driving conditions. But speed and comfort are only part of the story. With cars becoming increasingly connected through features like over-the-air (OTA) software updates, vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) alerts, and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication, security is just as critical. He developed advanced cybersecurity protocols that meet ASIL-B safety standards to tackle this. These systems protect the vehicle’s internal network and ensure that software updates and communications remain secure. 

His work has led to some significant results. In one major achievement, he designed an AI-based “wake-up” system using accelerometers that reduced power usage in vehicle door control units by 90%. This was a significant breakthrough for electric vehicles, where battery efficiency is key. This innovation improved energy use and helped original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) offer better value and performance. 

Additionally, Adabala brought the same approach to projects with Subaru’s Ascent and Outback models. Here too, the focus was on energy efficiency and secure software integration. These projects involved close collaboration with teams across the U.S., Japan, and China, and required coordination between hardware, software, and testing groups. The results helped improve vehicle responsiveness, extend battery life, and strengthen protection against cyber threats. 

He shared how getting there was not easy. One of the hardest problems was blending AI systems with already existing vehicle software so that it was reliable and scalable. At the same time, he had to make sure that field teams could understand the tech and work with it. This meant that systems had to be not only highly technical but also practical and intuitive in use under real-world conditions.

Outside of engineering, he has actively shared his insights with the field. From writing blogs to talking at internal conferences and industry panels, he contributed to broader discussions concerning the future of automotive technology. The message is clear: vehicles must be secured and made adaptable correspondingly as they get smarter.

The professional agrees with industry experts in seeing more opportunities to use additional sensors like gyrometers to help vehicles learn and respond better. “I believe the future of vehicle technology lies at the intersection of intelligent systems and robust security frameworks,” he noted.  He also believes security systems must go beyond traditional encryption, using tools like blockchain and multi-layered authentication to keep vehicle networks safe. His advice is to learn AI and cybersecurity for those entering the automotive tech world.