The European Commission’s Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content, and Technology initiated a consultation process in late 2022, leading to the establishment of the “Software Defined Vehicle of the Future (SDVoF) initiative”. As the automotive industry shifts toward autonomous, electric, connected, and service-oriented vehicles, the significance of both hardware and software is growing. Software now drives value creation, serving functions and services both within vehicles (on-board) and in the cloud (off-board) as well as the infrastructure around the vehicle, which will provide mobility services. Customers prioritize “software freshness,” seeking new applications and services related to infotainment, connectivity, and ADAS/AD functionality. Regular over-the-air updates enhance cyber-security, safety, and innovation during the vehicle’s operational lifespan. This transition fuels demand for next-generation system-on-chip designs and high-performance processors, fundamentally reshaping software development and integration, and opens the opportunity to re-think and re-design the vehicle software stack to match the need of the vehicle of the future.

The SDVoF initiative specifically emphasizes collaboration across European Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and suppliers. It takes a system-level approach and focuses on non-differentiating elements (also known as building blocks) within the vehicle software stack, the cloud stack, and engineering tools. By fostering coordination among existing alliances and establishing close ties with EU initiatives related to an open automotive hardware platform, as well as initiatives on connected and automated vehicles or zero emission mobility, the SDVoF initiative aims to create a robust ecosystem. Additionally, where appropriate, Open-Source software initiatives will be seamlessly integrated.

The SDVoF initiative envisions a comprehensive development process, organized into three distinct phases:

1. HW/SW Abstraction: In this initial phase, the focus lies on creating a clear separation between hardware (HW) and software (SW) components. By abstracting hardware functionalities, the initiative aims to facilitate interoperability and flexibility. This abstraction layer allows for efficient integration of various hardware platforms while ensuring compatibility with the evolving software stack.
2. Middleware and API Framework: The second phase centres around building a robust middleware layer that acts as the bridge between the hardware/OS and application layers. This standardized middleware stack provides essential services such as communication protocols, security mechanisms, and data management. Additionally, an API framework ensures seamless interaction between different software modules, enabling efficient development and integration.
3. Automated DevOps Tool Chain: The final phase emphasizes automation throughout the software development lifecycle. An integrated DevOps toolchain simplifies the adoption/use of the new software layers and streamlines processes, including continuous integration, testing, deployment, and monitoring. By automating these steps, the SDVoF initiative accelerates development cycles, enhances quality, and ensures timely updates.

To achieve these goals, the initiative will engage in collaborative Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) projects. These projects will focus on creating essential building blocks, defining the overall structure, and establishing standardized interfaces. FEDERATE supports the initiative by promoting the decision-making process, fostering the collaboration between projects and ensuring alignment with European actors’ strategic objectives.