Middleware has long served as the bridge between diverse systems, applications, and platforms, ensuring seamless integration across legacy and modern infrastructures. But as technology evolves, particularly with the rise of AI-driven driver assistance, infotainment, and edge computing, middleware providers face growing challenges.
A key concern is the increasing influence of silicon manufacturers. Originally designed to standardise integration, middleware now depends heavily on the software modules provided by SoC (System on Chip) vendors. 'We underestimated the role of silicon manufacturers,' Satish Sundaresan, Managing Director of India & Chief Strategy Officer at Elektrobit, admitted to Mobility Outlook. 'While middleware still enables standardisation, its value proposition hasn’t scaled as expected due to evolving hardware dependencies,' he said.
Electrobit’s perspective is that while core protocols like Ethernet remain unchanged, shifting trends—such as machine learning and microcontroller diversity—demand continuous adaptation. Middleware integration and quality conformance, once a straightforward process, now require weeks or even months. 'One of our biggest challenges is ensuring middleware works seamlessly across countless microcontroller variants,' Sundaresan noted.
Adding to the complexity, hardware players are increasingly integrating middleware in-house, as seen in NXP’s acquisition of TTech, noted Sai Sridhar, Associate Director, Elektrobit India. This trend signals a shift—middleware is no longer a standalone component but an intrinsic part of the software-hardware stack. As a result, SoC providers are shaping middleware’s evolution, influencing its structure and deployment within Tier-1s and OEMs.
Shifting Power Dynamics In Middleware
The middleware space is becoming increasingly crowded, with competition extending beyond traditional players to include OEMs, Tier-1s, and now software providers. The growing influence of SoC vendors, driven by rapid hardware advancements, is reshaping this landscape. “With SDVs, software is crucial, but it's still being built around hardware due to computational constraints. SoCs evolve much faster than vehicle timelines, sometimes upgrading in months, making it challenging for automakers to determine software compatibility at any given point,” explained Sundaresan.
Sridhar highlighted another shift—middleware, once the go-to layer for abstracting applications from hardware, is now becoming more hardware-dependent. “We’re investing heavily in quantum computing and providing comprehensive security solutions at every level—vehicle, ECU, component, and software—to address emerging threats,” he mentioned.
As hardware accelerates its dominance, middleware must evolve beyond abstraction, positioning itself as an adaptive, security-driven enabler in the automotive ecosystem.
Growing Cybersecurity Challenge
As middleware connects critical systems and data sources, it becomes a prime target for cyberattacks, making security a top priority. According to Sundaresan, security risk increases with the number of open interfaces, requiring a two-pronged approach: secure-by-design architecture and continuous monitoring. “We embed encryption at the edge to verify incoming data and regularly scan for intrusions from the cloud to ensure ongoing security,” he pointed out.
The stakes are high. “A large-scale automotive cyberattack could be more devastating than 9/11,” Sundaresan warned, highlighting the potential for widespread disruption. Even something as simple as a Bluetooth-connected phone poses risks. The challenge for OEMs is not just securing vehicles but deciding when to limit software updates to prevent performance slowdowns.
A bigger issue is cost—who pays for cybersecurity? “If consumers recognised security as a necessity, many industry challenges would disappear,” Sundaresan noted. Currently, OEMs bear the burden of securing vehicles, despite end users often overlooking the benefits. A more sustainable approach, he suggested, would be a shared responsibility between OEMs, Tier-1s, and consumers.
With cyber threats constantly evolving, the industry must move beyond reactive security measures and establish a proactive, collaborative model to safeguard connected vehicles. This is where the testing comes into to play a role, noted Sridhar.
Evolving Role Of Testing
As OEMs take greater control over software development—building in-house infotainment and cockpit solutions—testing is undergoing a transformation. Sridhar highlighted a key challenge; “OEMs, in their rush to develop software, often overlook critical steps like benchmarking, defining requirements, and ensuring traceability. The result? Vehicles hit the market with software that may not be fully qualified,” he mentioned.
This shift has caught many quality teams off guard. Traditionally, they relied on Tier-1s to deliver fully tested ECUs. Now, they must validate software built internally—often without the same rigorous testing protocols. “OEM quality teams need assurance from experts like us. They want confirmation that their in-house software has undergone proper regression testing and won’t cause unexpected connectivity issues for consumers,” he explained.
Bridging this gap requires a new approach to testing. It’s no longer just about validation but ‘qualification’ - about integrating SDVs configuration packages early in development. By embedding traceability, test cases, and structured verification from the outset, testing ensures that when a quality engineer signs off on a product launch, the vehicle is truly road-ready—not just from an ECU standpoint, but across the entire software ecosystem.
Balancing Cost, Value, Compatibility
As clients adopt new technologies, middleware providers must ensure backward compatibility to prevent integration disruptions. Addressing this challenge, Sundaresan emphasized a shift in approach; “Rather than starting with a virtual platform, we prioritise getting vehicles on the road first. Once deployed, we build a virtual platform to continuously test and monitor trends, reducing the need for physical vehicle testing.”
This strategy helps balance cost and value while optimising software performance. Another key factor is long-term collaboration. “For OEMs, it’s about financial capacity—how much can they integrate vertically and which partners can they commit to long-term?” he explained. Instead of short-term testing contracts, OEMs are now seeking multi-year qualification partnerships.
Looking ahead, software validation could evolve into a structured certification process, much like NCAP safety ratings. As software plays an increasingly critical role in vehicle performance, qualification standards will become a defining factor in the industry’s future.
Rise Of Digital Passports
As vehicles become more software-driven, managing software life cycles is emerging as both a challenge and an opportunity. According to Sundaresan, the industry must adopt software part numbers—just as hardware has part numbers—to track software versions, updates, and compatibility.
“For OEMs, software part numbers will be essential in managing how a vehicle behaves over time,” he explained. “Take an EV, for instance. If a user enables a new feature, they may later realise it requires a hardware upgrade. OEMs must maintain an inventory linking specific models, software versions, and hardware configurations—far more complex than traditional ECU tracking,” he said.
In commercial vehicles, a similar concept already exists—the digital passport. This system logs every software update, tracking when, how, and by whom it was deployed, ensuring transparency and security. “With increasing software complexity, digital passports will be the only way to manage updates, verify suppliers, detect open-source vulnerabilities, and maintain compliance,” Sundaresan noted.
As over-the-air updates become the norm, structured software tracking will be critical in ensuring long-term vehicle reliability and security.
With middleware no longer an isolated layer but a crucial enabler of next-gen mobility, the industry must rethink its approach to standardisation, adaptability, and ownership. The question now is: Can middleware providers keep pace with the rapid shifts shaping the automotive and tech ecosystems?
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