Global technology consultancy Thoughtworks and Amazon Web Services (AWS) released the Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV) Pulse, their inaugural annual report. Drawing from extensive experience and insights, the report aids automotive clients worldwide in the transition to software-defined vehicles.
The Shift to SDVs
Software now forms the backbone of modern vehicles, enabling capabilities from passenger infotainment to autonomous driving. The SDV Pulse report highlights key technologies, practices, and trends crucial for auto manufacturers and suppliers developing SDV strategies. The report features forty insights, termed ‘pulse points,’ categorized by adoption stages:
- Concept Phase: Emerging technologies with unproven potential.
- Early Adoption: Technologies offering significant opportunities for early adopters.
- Mass Adoption: Widespread technologies where the window for differentiation narrows.
Key Themes in SDV Pulse
1. In-Vehicle Zero-Trust Architecture (ZTA) – Concept Phase
- ZTA, based on the principle of no inherent trust, provides robust cybersecurity defenses.
2. Continuous Compliance – Concept Phase
- By automating compliance checks and integrating tools into development pipelines, teams can address compliance issues early.
3. Developer Portals for Vehicle APIs – Early Adoption Phase
- Multiple OEMs offer portals for developers to build applications using vehicle APIs, promoting SDV ecosystem growth.
4. Rust – Early Adoption Phase
- Rust emerges as a modern alternative to C++ for embedded automotive development, enhancing safety and productivity with open-sourced source code and qualification documents.
5. Automotive Grade Linux (AGL) – Mass Adoption Phase
- Initially for infotainment systems, AGL now addresses all vehicle software, adopted by several major automotive manufacturers.
6. Hardware Accelerators in the Cloud – Mass Adoption Phase
- Automotive companies mitigate the challenges of scarce, expensive hardware accelerators by accessing them in the cloud, saving time and costs in managing vast amounts of sensor data.
Expert Insights
Michael Fait, global head of technology for SDV at Thoughtworks, emphasized the complex yet inescapable relationship between the automotive industry and software engineering. “To remain competitive and future-proof, understanding both challenges and immense opportunities is crucial,” he noted.
Stefano Marzani, Worldwide Technology Lead for SDV at AWS, highlighted the collaborative effort to tackle business challenges. “AWS leverages its expertise to aid the industry’s transition to a software-defined future,” Marzani stated. Cloud development allows companies to harness technologies like AI, ML, and generative AI to turn data into actionable insights for future vehicle functions and features.
Global Impact
The SDV Pulse report serves as a vital resource for automotive industry stakeholders, offering valuable insights into the evolving landscape of software-defined vehicles. As advanced technologies integrate further, reports like SDV Pulse will guide manufacturers and suppliers through the complexities and opportunities of this transformative era.
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