Software-defined vehicle

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New mobility is built on software

The future of mobility is defined by software. Many car drivers expect their vehicles to be fully integrated into their digital life. Hence, new connectivity, automation, and personalization features must be added to the vehicles quickly and efficiently even after the SOP.

The illustration shows a futuristic software-defined vehicle in vibrant colors surrounded by dynamic digital elements, representing speed, data flow, and software integration.

In the future, software will define a customer’s experience of a car and be the driver for differentiating brands and model ranges. Throughout its entire lifecycle, the vehicle can be optimized with new services and functions via software updates, customizing it to the driver’s needs. This opens up new digital business models for OEMs, fleet operators, and service providers.

At ETAS, we pave the way for you. With an integrated solution platform and development tools for the software-defined vehicle.

Mobility is changing, and software is king

Increased functional requirements

The development of connected, autonomous, shared, and electrified vehicles drives and almost exponential increase of software functionalities.

Consumer expectations

Consumers expect similar experience from vehicles as from other software-driven devices such as smartphones.

Shifts in the value chain

Software will become the differentiating factor due to commoditization of hardware/mechanical parts.

Empowering tomorrow‘s automotive software

At ETAS, we enable software engineers to develop automotive software – data-driven, faster, and easier.

"Smartphone on wheels? I wish it were that simple! Our challenge is far more complex. Or have you ever seen a smartphone maker still supporting a 20-year-old device?"

Dr. Thomas Irawan, President and Chairman of the ETAS Board of Management

All you need: our three product families for the software-defined vehicle

The image shows a computer monitor displaying a 3D model of a vehicle and system diagrams, representing integrated development toolchains. It illustrates how software tools are used for designing and simulating automotive systems. A keyboard and mouse are in the foreground.

Highly integrated development toolchains

Cloud-based software development toolchains, covering all relevant automotive-specific tools and processes and easy-to-use embedded development environments:

Embedded development toolchain for ASW/BSW (including third-party tools)
Safety & ADAS/AD development toolchain for ASW/BSW
Vehicle edge development toolchain (including third-party tools)
Pre-SOP-domain & development services End-to-end verification and validation toolchain

The in-vehicle software stack

Components of the operating system for the software-defined vehicle:

AUTOSAR classic & adaptive
ADAS/AD middleware
Vehicle edge middleware
OS and hypervisors for safety
In-vehicle cybersecurity solutions

Cloud-based operations services

Data-driven deployment, operation and computing platform services:

OTA and data services
Cloud plattform services
Cloud core services
Backend cybersecurity solutions

Reality check: five approaches to the SDV from the past decade

While software natives and electric vehicle players may be farther along than others, now is a good time for all automotive OEMs to see what they can learn with a little hindsight. In this white paper, we explore five common approaches to the software-defined vehicle, examine the successes and challenges, and look at the current state of development and implementation. It also includes comprehensive solutions from strategy to development and testing by the consulting firm Kearney and ETAS.

Download the whitepaper

Cybersecurity for the software-defined vehicle

Cybersecurity is a key enabler of the software-defined vehicle. With the SDV in its connected ecosystem, the attack surface and potential for damage will increase exponentially. Above all, the cybersecurity of the SDV will determine the success of your new software-based business models.

Read our white paper to learn how to manage SDV cyber risks across the entire vehicle lifecycle, connected ecosystem, and software supply chain.

Download the whitepaper

How to speed up software-defined vehicle development today!

The picture shows a DevOps cycle with a screen on the left side depicting a wireframe vehicle, a keyboard, and a mouse. On the right-hand side of the DevOps cycle is a futuristic vehicle representing the software-defined vehicle.

You need to shift your software development into higher gears to make the SDV a reality. Software delivery performance is key to succeed in the race for future mobility. It allows you to integrate innovation faster and keeps vehicles competitive and up to date. With the solutions in our SDV portfolio, you can accelerate your software development using four key methods:

ECU virtualization
Containerization
Cloud-based development toolchains
Abstraction of hardware and underlying software layers

300 to 500 million

A vehicle is expected to require 300 to 500 million lines of software code in 2030.

Code first: ETAS in the Eclipse “Software-Defined Vehicle Working Group”

ETAS is a founding member of the "Software-Defined Vehicle Working Group" of the Eclipse Foundation, one of the world's largest open-source communities. Using a “code first” approach, the goal is to build one of the automotive industry’s first ever software stacks, along with associated development tools, for the core functions of a software-defined vehicle. These solutions will be made available to any company that wishes to use them for their own vehicle development.

Learn more