Under the leadership of mobility technology company AVL, key players in the automotive, supplier and semiconductor industries, along with research institutions, have united to propel the advancement of software-defined vehicles (SDVs).
The initiative aims to establish software and hardware components essential for the operation of all such vehicles, prioritizing faster integration of updates and new functions.
In a collaborative effort dubbed FEDERATE, or the Chips JU Framework, the European Union is orchestrating this convergence. Partners from seven countries, including VDI/VDE Innovation + Technik, Infineon and the Technical University of Munich, are actively involved.
Gereon Meyer, head of European and international business development at VDI/VDE Innovation + Technik, said, “With the SDV, functions can be updated via an app, just like with a smartphone, without having to replace the physical hardware. This is possible because of the increasingly centralized control of vehicle electronics. However, a coordinated approach is required for maximum safety, efficiency and reliability. The FEDERATE project plays an important coordinating role here.”
Over the coming years, the focus will be on identifying, defining and designing the foundational elements necessary for SDVs. Leveraging a pre-competitive exchange of methodologies and tools, along with open-source collaboration, the aim is to reduce development time and costs.
According to those involved in the initiative, enhanced interfaces will facilitate swift integration of updates and new features while ensuring expedited access to cloud services for vehicles, for efficiency and security in areas like smart charging and e-banking.
Peter Priller, principal technology scout at AVL, said, “The new approach makes it possible to continuously improve safety and comfort in the vehicle through software updates and enhancements. For example, it will be possible to use artificial intelligence directly in the vehicle without having to give up data sovereignty.“
Georg List, vice president of corporate strategy at AVL, concluded, “Together we create innovative solutions and collaboration models. We are proud of the trust the EU and the industry have in AVL to lead FEDERATE.”