Introduction

The automobile sector has been at the forefront of creative technology adoption as it continues to evolve in response to constantly shifting consumer needs. In addition, the automobile industry’s faster time-to-market for new technologies has made it possible for this sector to conduct a lot more research and development than others.

The use of software in current cars results from the development of artificial intelligence, high-speed communication and networking, and digital product engineering. Because of this, software has become more and more crucial in enabling advancements in performance features, safety, and security to provide unique driving experiences.

Megatrends including electrification, mobility, connection, and autonomous driving are expected to transform the automotive industry over the next ten years drastically. These developments are a major factor in the automotive industry’s shift to a software-centric strategy for meeting specialized needs.

When combined, these developments can potentially cause significant disruption to the automotive sector, as each is equally potent on its own. Several other terms for this industry development include CASE-connected, automated, shared, and electrified.

The three key factors influencing technology adoption in the automotive industry are mostly responsible for these recent developments in the sector:

• The updated OEM requirements
• Hardware and software standardization
• The vehicle described by the software

What is a software-defined vehicle?

A vehicle whose primary means of operation is software is referred to as a “software-defined vehicle.” An F-35 fighter jet contains 25 million lines of code, but a luxury automobile nowadays has about 100 million.

And a space shuttle, too! This degree of sophistication is mostly attributable to cars having an increasing number of VCUs, sensors, cameras, radar, and lidar devices.

Research conducted by Accenture predicts that by 2030, software will make up 40% of a car’s overall worth. By contrast, in 2015, this percentage was only 10%. The software tsunami is being driven by features like ADAS, over-the-air (OTA) updates, cyber security, and several new services.

To handle the potentially over 300 million lines of code that a fully autonomous automobile of the near future may have, automakers and Tier 1s are turning more and more to automotive software providers.

One of the main causes pushing toward a software-defined vehicle is the growing explosion of OEM requirements for new vehicle programs. Manufacturers now concentrate on software-enabled features that benefit the customer and help them position their product in a market that is all its own.

An advance in E/E architectures that can match simplicity and capacity is being brought about by these constantly growing software needs. This necessitates the separation of software and standardization of hardware.

The industry is beginning to reconsider several novel approaches to vehicle software and E/E architecture as software functions move from decentralized VCUs to a more centralized system with a restricted number of vehicle control units (VCUs).

Advantages, difficulties, and opportunities

• Recalls relating to automotive software have been increasing. Currently, automakers notify customers through letters or emails about recalls. Customers must then drive to the dealership to manually update their software.
  Customers will be able to obtain updates over-the-air (OTA) in software-defined automobiles, similar to what we get on our smartphones! Along with telematics and infotainment enhancements, this technology can also monitor and adjust the powertrain and vehicle dynamics.
• Custom driver experiences will be offered by the software-defined car. Huge volumes of data will be exchanged between the VCUs and DCUs and sensors and actuators, giving automakers insights unique to each car.
  As a result, OEMs may be able to create a new source of income in addition to strengthening their relationship with customers.
• Adopting software-centric methodologies also comes with some corporate and cultural obstacles. Reworking their supply chain connections and business models will be necessary for OEMs and Tier 1s. The automobile industry will need to upskill to implement new software tools and procedures.
• For new software features to be developed and deployed effectively, the project roadmap needs to be managed more carefully and in a way that offers value.
• Increased software equals increased potential for cyberattacks. An attacker can gain access to a vehicle’s systems through Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular networks, and other means from anywhere on the globe.

Thus, protecting systems against such attacks requires creative solutions and reliable methods.

• Since more cyber security regulations are being driven by high-security requirements, which will ultimately enhance the system, we should be able to take advantage of many more possibilities that may be present in the problems. To create software for their next car programs, OEMs must make important strategic choices. If OEMs choose to create in-house software to satisfy demands across domains, they have the opportunity to become software giants.
• It’s also an option for OEMs to choose to build only a portion of the highly distinguishing domains in-house while outsourcing the other software needs.

Alternatively, they have the option to fully contract out all of their software development and services to specialist software vendors.

The software capabilities of the car of the future and its capacity to live up to expectations obtained from traditional software platforms will determine it to a large degree. The effective integration of major technology suppliers and new industry participants will open up new opportunities for the software-defined future!

This makes it possible for numerous up-and-coming automotive software technology businesses, such as Dorleco, to enter the market and establish themselves by collaborating with significant OEMs and Tier 1s. Are you trying to find a complete software package for your upcoming smart car? Send an email to info@dorleco.com to find out more about our assistance.