The automotive industry is undergoing major changes these years, as electronics and automotive engineering are converging in the software-defined vehicle (SDV). In this new episode of Elektor Engineering Insights, Dr. Dirk Slama of Bosch explains how this transformation is reshaping design, development, and testing. Unlike traditional embedded-only architectures, software-defined vehicles integrate deeply embedded systems with containerized runtimes and cloud-linked services, enabling faster feature deployment and more dynamic configurations.

A central challenge lies in aligning methodology and organization, as in the Pulse Framework from the Digital Auto initiative. This combines V-model engineering with agile practices, lean systems engineering, and digital-first strategies such as “shift left” (i.e, earlier) simulation. A real-world example is the passenger welcome sequence, where door actuation, seat adjustment, and driver preferences are orchestrated via standardized APIs and tested in virtual environments long before reaching the hardware.

The video explores standardization efforts within the Connected Vehicle Systems Alliance (COVESA), cybersecurity frameworks like ISO 21434, and the complexities of continuous homologation in safety-critical environments. It also highlights the potential of AI for personalization and variant management, alongside regulatory harmonization challenges worldwide. This Elektor Engineering Insights episode is fascinating for anyone interested in the automobile industry, as software-defined vehicles promise to make vehicles not only safer and more adaptable, but also platforms for continuous innovation. Watch the video below:

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