The software-defined vehicle (SDV) is no longer just a futuristic vision. All major manufacturers are already working on the vehicle architecture of the future. This will enable new functions for autonomous driving and electric vehicles. It is also the basis for networked services and new mobility offerings – two important revenue sources in the future. But how do you make rapid progress on the road to SDV while also keeping an eye on costs?

Everyone is talking about software and the operating systems for the next generation of vehicles. In fact, a paradigm shift is currently taking place. While various control units used to exist side by side in vehicles, each controlling one discrete system – for example the ABS – this decentralised approach is increasingly being replaced by a centralised E/E architecture.

In the future, a central control unit will monitor all functions in the vehicle. To do this, it controls around four to five other electronic control units in the vehicle, each of which controls a particular zone in the vehicle. This design means that fewer control units are required and, for the first time, hardware no longer has to be operated together with associated software. The software can therefore be developed largely independently of the hardware, which enables faster innovations and leads to lower development costs. Data-based services – an important future revenue source for car manufacturers, with a market potential of several hundred billion euro – are also becoming a reality.

Although the vehicle architecture will require fewer control units in future, complexity will increase elsewhere. This has already become apparent to many manufacturers. They initially focused on developing the operating system for the next generation of vehicles themselves. This led to high costs and delays in important projects.

KPIT is your partner for system and software integration

This is precisely where KPIT comes in as a partner to manufacturers and suppliers. We are the world’s largest independent software integration partner focused exclusively on the automotive industry.

With more than 25 years of experience, we offer solutions for all areas of the vehicle. These include autonomous driving, electrification of the drivetrain, networked vehicles, E/E architecture, middleware, body electronics, vehicle technology and design.

With over 13,000 software and technology experts, we support manufacturers and leading suppliers in developing software, integrating it into existing systems and validating it. To do this, we rely on over 75 tools and applications developed in-house that use technologies such as virtual engineering, artificial intelligence, automation and generative AI.

How we implement SDVs

In order to master the complexity of software-defined vehicles, our team of software and technology experts is organised into three clusters.

The first cluster deals with all aspects of vehicle architecture and the middleware required for this. Here we develop the software platform for the SDV and integrate applications into existing systems. In addition to virtual engineering, we also use service-oriented architectures. With the acquisition of Technica in 2022, we have further enhanced our middleware team.

The second cluster specialises in the individual domains – i.e. the development of applications for areas such as autonomous driving, powertrain electrification and body electronics.

For example, we support manufacturers in developing level 2 driver assistance systems (ADAS) or level 3 semi-autonomous systems, integrating them into the vehicle and scaling them up. We cover the entire spectrum – from the first prototype through to the development of the complete platform for autonomous driving.

For electric vehicles, we offer software solutions for components such as inverters, battery and charging management, and the vehicle control unit (VCU). With these solutions, we aim to reduce development time for new models and facilitate future innovations through over-the-air updates.

And in the third cluster, the focus is on cloud-based services for the digital cockpit. These include, for example, new functions that can be unlocked through upgrades or predictive vehicle diagnostics.

Because many of these areas are closely linked in software-defined vehicles, our experts work together across all clusters. This enables us to create an offering for customers that is unique in its breadth and depth of technical expertise.

In order to reduce the development time for middleware and new features, we also rely on the shift- left approach for testing software. We also use virtual infrastructure and reference hardware in development. This allows errors in the software to be detected at a very early stage – not just when the application is close to being finished.

Strategic SDV partner

KPIT currently supports six OEMs in the implementation of their SDV programs. In the Renault Group, for example, we are on board as a strategic software partner. Together, we are implementing the manufacturer’s SDV program – from the first blueprint to the planned roll-out in two years’ time.

KPIT is also working with Honda, where we are jointly responsible for implementing the software- defined mobility program. The main focus here is on software integration, but we are also developing the entire platform and new features for it, together with the Honda team.

One major advantage is that our global footprint enables us to guarantee a high level of scalability for SDV programs. We also bring expertise derived from numerous solutions that we have already successfully implemented. Through close partnerships and agile methods, we also reduce the risk of your projects being delayed.

Whether it’s networked services, autonomous driving, or the development of new mobility offerings or electric vehicles, KPIT combines expertise from the software world, with many years of experience as a partner to the automotive industry. As an independent technology service provider with a uniquely broad orientation, we cover all areas of modern vehicles while bringing in-depth technical expertise to the individual areas.

This means that not only can we offer individualised solutions, but we also supply integrated and closely coordinated systems that meet all current quality and safety requirements. Thus, we help you to bring innovations into the vehicle in less time and at lower cost.

KPIT at a glance

With over 13,000 employees, more than 2,000 of them in Europe, KPIT is one of the world’s largest independent specialists for software integration in the automotive sector. Founded in 1993, the company has strategic partnerships with more than 25 manufacturers and suppliers, with the aim of jointly creating the vehicle architecture of the future.