For automotive they're starting to make interesting things like dual-core CPUs running in lock-step. The outputs are compared at each cycle and a fault is declared if they differ. The problem is that doesn't generally allow you to keep running (perhaps a reset if that helps). They still like to rely on fallbacks like manual steering and braking, and the fact that you can pull over to the side of the road when something quits working. None of that is relevant for fully autonomous self-driving cars where the driver may be reading a book and not ready to take over quickly.
What do you mean starting? Bosch has been using Infineon TriCore's in ECU's for almost 10 years now.
Friendly advice - stay away from Infineon offerings, they are still alive in automotive due to inertia and top down decision making, not because they are any good.
To your comment on Infineon... I thought the TriCore was stupid, but my German boss at the time insisted. We're using one of their SoCs today, but it's actually very very good for what we're doing and it's fairly cheap. We could get cheaper but that would require the addition of other parts on the board. If we can secure the volumes we may go custom - and that's something I haven't seen in person in automotive (I'm beginning to hear about it though).
