The automotive industry is embarking on a transformative journey. The convergence of automotive engineering and digital technology has ushered in a new paradigm of mobility, where software takes centre stage in defining the capabilities, performance, and user experience of vehicles. This shift leads to the age of the software-defined vehicle (SDV). However, to stay ahead in this dynamic and rapidly evolving ecosystem, a deep understanding of the trends, challenges, and opportunities at the intersection of automotive and software engineering is essential.
Thoughtworks, a global technology consultancy that integrates strategy, design, and engineering, has announced the launch of its inaugural annual report, Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV) Pulse. The report offers a comprehensive overview of 40 of the latest developments, emerging technologies, and best practices driving the evolution of SDVs. Central to this transformation is a spirit of collaboration and partnership, with OEMs, automotive companies, technology firms, and ecosystem players coming together to co-create the vehicles of tomorrow. This report itself is the product of a partnership between Thoughtworks and Amazon Web Services (AWS).
By working together, amplifying each other’s capabilities, fostering open dialogue, and embracing innovation, the industry can unlock new opportunities, overcome challenges, and pave the way for a more sustainable, efficient, and inclusive mobility ecosystem.
This report, informed by the experiences and observations of Thoughtworks and AWS, provides a comprehensive analysis of the transition to software-defined vehicles in the automotive industry. With software becoming an integral part of modern vehicles, enabling everything from passenger infotainment to autonomous driving, the SDV Pulse report compiles the most relevant technologies, practices, and key trends for auto manufacturers and suppliers. This report aims to guide these stakeholders in formulating effective SDV strategies.
Key Insights
The SDV Pulse report presents forty insights, referred to as 'pulse points,' each highlighting a specific technology, practice, or trend. These pulse points are categorised into three adoption stages: Concept Phase, which includes emerging pulse points with largely unproven potential; Early Adoption, representing significant opportunities for early adopters; and Mass Adoption, indicating pulse points that are becoming widespread across the industry, with diminishing opportunities for differentiation.
Themes & Insights
Highlighted themes and insights from the SDV Pulse report include In-Vehicle Zero-Trust Architecture (ZTA) in the concept phase, which offers robust defence mechanisms against cybersecurity risks by assuming no inherent trust. Continuous Compliance, also in the concept phase, allows organisations to automate compliance checks and audits, integrating tools into software development pipelines to detect and address compliance issues early.
Developer Portals for Vehicle APIs, in the early adoption phase, are being offered by multiple OEMs to help developers build applications using vehicle APIs, acting as key enablers of SDV ecosystem growth. Rust, another early adoption phase technology, is a modern alternative to C++ for embedded automotive development, improving safety and productivity with open-sourced source code and qualification documents, paving the way for its use in functional safety-relevant cases.
Automotive Grade Linux (AGL), now in the mass adoption phase, initially started as a platform for building infotainment systems and has matured to a point where several major automotive manufacturers are adopting it for their production vehicles. Lastly, Hardware Accelerators in the Cloud, also in the mass adoption phase, allow automotive companies to mitigate the challenge of scarce and expensive hardware accelerators by accessing them in the cloud, facilitating the efficient processing and storage of petabytes of sensor data.
Michael Fait, Global Head of Technology for SDV at Thoughtworks, stated, “The relationship between the automotive industry and software engineering is complex yet inescapable. To remain competitive and future-proof, the industry needs to understand the challenges and seize the immense opportunities.”
Stefano Marzani, Worldwide Technology Lead for SDV at AWS, said, “AWS works backwards with customers to address business challenges. Leveraging our collective expertise, AWS and Thoughtworks are aiding the industry’s transition to a software-defined future. Increased development in the cloud allows companies to harness technologies like AI, ML, and generative AI to transform data into insights, informing the functions and features of tomorrow.”
Thoughtworks, AWS Collaboration
Thoughtworks assists organisations in modernising their infrastructure, capabilities, and practices during the transition to SDV, leveraging the extensive portfolio of AWS cloud services. This collaboration is pivotal in driving the automotive industry towards a software-defined future, ensuring it remains at the forefront of innovation and efficiency.
The SDV Pulse report by Thoughtworks and AWS reiterates the offers invaluable insights into the evolving landscape of the automotive industry, emphasizing the critical role of software in driving innovation. By understanding and adopting the technologies and practices highlighted in the report, automotive manufacturers and suppliers can navigate the complexities of this transition and capitalize on the opportunities it presents.
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