Process, Methods, and Tools: The Key Enablers for Software-Defined Vehicles

The notion of added value in the automotive industry is undergoing a shift. In a sector where hardware has been the main generator of profit for more than a century, a new rule now applies. Going forward, hardware will primarily form the platform on which software is later going to drive the vehicle.

Like smartphones, cars are increasingly turning into a technical platform where software is brought into play. To this end, the necessary requirements must be met: having fewer but more powerful ECUs, smart actuators, connectivity, and a service-oriented architecture where hardware is decoupled from software and driving functions are partitioned.

All these changes mean new requirements for the development of automotive software.

The tool landscape must be modern as well as up to date. Process, methods, and tools must be closely aligned and become a key enabler for the development of software-defined vehicles.