A global strategic cooperation has been formed between NTT Data and automotive AI company Aurora Labs, with the first projects from this in automotive production and logistics.
The companies will benefit from an intelligent combination of AI technology and 5G to enable scalable and agile over-the-air (OTA) software updates with superior efficiency and end-to-end security, including the 5G transport layer.
NTT Data’s and Aurora Labs’ 5G over-the-air update is built on a self-learning AI technology from Aurora Labs, with built-in self-optimization. Through the use of AI, the amount of data which needs to be transmitted is greatly reduced. Additionally, by using 5G connectivity, efficiency is increased 25-fold, with updates of 5,000 nodes (cars) per radio cell becoming possible compared to 1,000 end nodes when using 4G networks. As a result, both time and cost are reduced, while kW/Bit is lowered to improve the solution’s sustainability credentials.
Unlike conventional public 5G networks which cover an entire area, the solution enables companies to build a custom 5G network which can be restricted to a single building or site for independent and private 5G connectivity which only authorized subscribers can connect to. These networks benefit from advanced reliability, uninterrupted connectivity, low latency, excellent security and a high bandwidth.
Scalable by design, NTT Data’s solution is capable of continuously increasing speeds and coverage to meet the customer’s over-the-air update requirements without increasing the cost of hardware such as antennae, base stations or device memory.
At present, Aurora Labs’ AI-based Vehicle Software Intelligence (VSI) solutions are used by a multitude of global automotive and device manufacturers to collect data and obtain a deep understanding of the changes made to the vehicle’s software. Integrating the VSI solution early into the software development lifecycle streamlines the development process and creates what the pair state are the industry’s smallest update files.
“The key to meeting society’s future mobility needs is to provide the automotive industry with highly efficient, reliable and secure solutions,” said Stefan Hansen, CEO and chairman of the management board, NTT Data DACH. “Through our partnership with Aurora Labs, we combine technological innovation with our industry expertise to meet users’ needs for better quality of service in a safe and sustainable way.”
“Distributing updates to thousands of vehicles quickly, securely and reliably via wireless connections is far from trivial, especially as data volumes continue to grow,” added Kai Grunwitz, CEO NTT Germany. “The AI capabilities of Aurora Labs, the industry experience and the 5G expertise of NTT Data have resulted in a solution that scales for future growth.”
“Current OTA update solutions cannot support the data required to manage the software lifecycle of Infotainment (IVI) and ADAS systems,” explained Zohar Fox, CEO, Aurora Labs. “OTA is crucial after the first launch of new vehicles to stabilize the software during the first 12 months. The capability to iterate fast requires data size efficiency and robust networks. We believe that partnering with NTT Data is a game changer for addressing software agility in development, production and on the road.”
“Through this strategic cooperation we will continue to innovate, accelerating the means of doing business while supporting our clients in tackling the intricacies of delivering seamless and connected vehicle experience,” said Noriyuki Kaya, chief digital assets officer of NTT Data.