Why software is key in modern cars
The automotive industry is undergoing a revolution driven by software innovation. Where once mechanical systems dominated, today’s vehicles rely increasingly on smart electronics and code to deliver next-generation transportation experiences.
This shift is being propelled by the expanding technological capabilities of EV Chargers. As batteries and motors replace gas tanks and engines, software controls these electric powertrains and integrates seamlessly with existing systems. Additionally, connectivity, automation and electrification are converging, needing robust software to deliver enhanced safety, efficiency and convenience.
Consumers also expect more from their vehicles, demanding cutting-edge comfort, entertainment and productivity features enabled by software and screens. With some premium models containing over 100 million lines of code – more complexity than a commercial airliner – software is integral for delivering what customers want.
Key Automotive Software Technologies
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
Artificial intelligence (AI) allows vehicles to accurately interpret complex environments, while machine learning helps them improve via experience. As automotive AI matures, it is moving from solely assisting drivers to enabling full vehicle autonomy.
Right now, AI powers driver aids like automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist and adaptive cruise control. But looking ahead, self-driving cars will use AI to plan routes, recognize objects and make split-second driving decisions without human oversight.
To achieve robust AI readiness, automakers are optimizing sensor suites and computing hardware to feed neural networks immense datasets. This trains machine learning algorithms to drive as well – if not better – than people.
Over-the-Air Updates
Over-the-air (OTA) software updates transform vehicles post-purchase by wirelessly enhancing capabilities and patching vulnerabilities. This remote upgradeability future-proofs cars, trucks and SUVs, bringing them up to speed with the latest advancements.
Tesla pioneered OTAs in the mass market, using them to improve battery management, increase driving range, introduce new games and media apps and more. Other brands are now catching up, with tens of millions of vehicles globally set to get regular wireless updates by 2025.
For consumers, OTAs increase value and enjoyment from their vehicle investment over a longer timeframe. Meanwhile, automakers gain greater brand loyalty and revenue-generating opportunities via continuous upselling.
Vehicle-to-Everything Communication
Known as vehicle-to-everything or V2X, this umbrella term covers different methods of connectivity between vehicles and the world around them. It is critical for enabling traffic efficiency, safety and next-gen mobility through data exchange.
One example is vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication, with cars wirelessly sharing speed, direction and other telemetry to coordinate movements and avoid accidents. Vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) integration is also coming, where traffic lights and road signs will talk to vehicles to smooth traffic flow. “Formula 1 has been the leading innovator in terms of cars software, and it’s likely some of the top-notch sensors from F1 cars will make it into our regular street cars” adds Jan Kawecki, Chief Editor at F1blast
V2X capabilities depend heavily on software, from the embedded controls to cloud-based infrastructure. As this segment develops, multi-brand connectivity and automation will advance, taking today’s separate driving aids and combining them into collaborative networks.
Software Accelerating Automotive Transformation
Streamlined Design and Manufacturing
Automotive software is revolutionizing vehicle design and factory production. Sophisticated CAD programs rapidly iterate digital models, enabling engineers to simulate crashes, aerodynamics and more completely in-silico. This eliminates costly physical prototypes and lengthy troubleshooting.
Production is also being optimized by software. Robotic automation guided by algorithms handle tedious tasks on the assembly line, while AI camera systems spot defects early. Together with widespread sensors and data analytics, factories are becoming far leaner.
Additionally, software helps automakers quickly recalibrate machinery across plants when launching new models or incorporating innovations. This improved agility reduces changeover downtime and expedites global vehicle launches.
Enhanced User Experiences
Automotive user experiences are transforming due to software driving more personalized, predictive and convenient human-vehicle interactions. Immersive new UX concepts even envisage mobility becoming an entertaining escape.
Context-aware vehicle personalization utilizes occupant recognition and cloud-synced user profiles to automatically serve up preferred settings and infotainment. Predictive experiences like route planning around real-time traffic and estimated charge points for upcoming trips also help simplify driving.
Other emerging UX opportunities include in-cabin VR games for passengers, health & wellness tracking for drivers and voice-controllable smart home technology integrated natively into the dashboard screen.
New Ownership and Service Models
Software is empowering automakers to move from conventional vehicle sales towards flexible subscription packages and data-driven remote servicing.
With software-defined vehicles, consumers can trial or temporarily activate options through a monthly fee. This “pay-as-you-go” approach covers anything from adding more torque or expanding the infotainment catalog, to unlocking assisted driving abilities for highway road trips.
Additionally, cloud-connected telematics and over-the-air updates enable automakers to monitor vehicle health remotely and preemptively schedule maintenance via algorithms. Combined with autonomous repair drones and virtual service appointments, taking cars to physical shops promises to become a rarity. “There is a threat, that car manufacturers will start pushing targetted ads to users through the software in the cars. Modern cars usually have a big screen, which could be used a way of delivering ads without any chance to switch them off by a user” says François-Louis Mommens, CEO at Linkody.
The Critical Role of Software Partners
As vehicles rapidly advance into software-defined machines on wheels, automakers are hugely expanding their in-house developer talent. However, specialist expertise is still needed, making software collaborators integral to delivering the latest innovations.
Key capabilities provided by automotive software partners include designing bespoke vehicle electronic architectures, developing safe AI that meets strict functional standards, engineering best-in-class infotainment systems and UX, integrating complex vehicle connectivity, ensuring robust cybersecurity and enabling over-the-air upgradeability.
Additionally, skilled software coders can cost-effectively accelerate projects to help automakers achieve speed-to-market and agility goals.
With the automotive industry now firmly in the software era, OEMs must harness both internal resources and external expertise to stay ahead of the innovation curve. Those falling behind in advanced embedded software risk fading into obsolescence.
The Exciting Road Ahead
Software innovation is truly reinventing cars and mobility overall. As sophistication increases, vehicles will morph into personalized robots that safely drive themselves, predict passenger needs and enhance lives with creativity.
While software complexity presents challenges, the abundance of big data, 5G connectivity and computing power means the potential is boundless. We are only just glimpsing the start of what software can achieve in the automotive world – the road ahead looks highly exciting!
Also Read: Toward A Sustainable Future: How The Automotive Industry Is Moving
