A Software-Defined Vehicle manages its operations, adds functionality, and enables new features primarily or entirely through software. Software-defined vehicles support capabilities that go beyond the process employed at a manufacturer’s production line. These capabilities can be fine-tuned or upgraded with an over-the-air update.

With software-defined vehicles, the hardware can remain fixed throughout the product’s lifecycle and also compete with new and upcoming versions with just an update to the software. Global brands like Tesla, Kia and more are leading this exciting transformation in the automotive industry where updates are not just limited to the dashboards but apply throughout vehicle electronics, writes Akhil Gupta, CEO and Founder of Delhi-based Mazout Electric.

Below are some features of software-defined vehicles and the problems they solve for manufacturers and users.

Over-the-air (OTA) updates – Vehicles can prolong their efficient usability by means of over-the-air (OTA) software updates, just like we do with our smartphones.

Through OTA updates, manufacturers can tweak various parameters to enhance the performance of the vehicle, such as battery management systems, motor control algorithms, and energy efficiency protocols, directly to the vehicles without the need for physical intervention. For instance, charging parameters can be fine-tuned to optimize charging time and extend battery life. Or the vehicle’s performance can be adjusted with respect to the reduced battery life and/or wear and tear of the motor with use.

Advancing technology and government regulations towards standardization has often led manufacturers being asked to implement certain changes to their protocols and parameters with immediate effect, which has led to halts on assembly lines. In most cases, this can be resolved via updates to the software layer, in SDVs and flashed across the products in the assembly line.

In another instance, a vehicle manufacturer might identify a potential software bug affecting a specific model’s temperature estimation accuracy, let’s say. Instead of initiating a costly and time consuming recall, they can quickly rectify the issue through a targeted OTA update, ensuring all affected vehicles benefit from the fix instantly. It will also allow the manufacturers to scale the
diagnostics and repair services across cities without having to install dedicated service centers, which consumes time and is cost intensive.

Furthermore, OTA updates enable manufacturers to introduce exciting new features and enhancements. Consider EV fleets used for ride-sharing or delivery services that initially offered a basic infotainment system. With OTA updates, the manufacturer can introduce advanced safety features or navigation improvements, enhancing the ease of doing last-mile delivery.

People’s needs evolve and they are always on the lookout for more innovation and advancements. SDV would enable just that.

Hardware ownership would give data control and ownership to the manufacturers. With SDV, huge amounts of data will be created that can be analyzed to generate various insights, which would be crucial while providing the OTA updates. Sensor fusion and hardware-less sensor techniques will be the data mines generating crucial data.

Developers can integrate different sensors and/or actuators and write application codes to flash new features to all existing vehicles via software OTA updates. For example, a developer could integrate a camera into the controller unit, download the libraries to sync with hardware, and write custom app logic, say, for adaptive cruise control. This software can then be used by vehicles that have a camera simply by updating their vehicle like they update their smartphone.

Doing this with open-source and collaborative ecosystems would drive standardization and reduce development costs. The software would allow manufacturers to differentiate their brand with respect to the features they offer and in the manner in which they offer them to the end users.

Complimenting the above features, scope for additional revenue via software services for the vehicle manufacturers is created. Value added services and application ecosystem will enable specific features which can be enabled with subscription by end users.

What exactly enables a vehicle to be software-defined?

• Operating system: An embedded real-time Operating system is key to laying the foundation for a software-defined vehicle.

• Firmware, separated from hardware: A firmware capable of updating itself over time and independent of the hardware controlling it or the actual sensors it controls, enabling a change in libraries to facilitate any combination of sensors and microprocessors.

• Sensors: A host of sensors to collect the data. With improved features, the sensors might output the same type of data, but the function can be enhanced to deliver more functionality as the software is improved without the need for hardware upgrades.

• Cybersecurity: The increasing level of connectivity makes the software-defined vehicle an ever-greater target for cyberattacks. Homegrown solutions for cybersecurity would be the key. Recently, Biden called for blocking internet-connected Chinese EVs, citing that they posed risks to national security because their operating systems could send sensitive information to Beijing.

Conclusion

The era of advanced automotive software and electronics is upon us. As the software-defined vehicle becomes reality, companies throughout the automotive industry must act swiftly and strategically to harness its potential.

Mazout Electric is building turnkey powertrain electronics solutions for electric vehicles on software-defined architecture. The author can be reached at [email protected]

Also read: Automotive software can improve customer experience beyond just diagnostics