eSync Alliance Focuses on Containerized Automotive Software for CES
- eSync Alliance driving OTA updates of containerized software in automotive ECUs and HPCs
- Software containerization critical to SDV adoption; concept a new phenomenon in automotive setting
- Live automotive OTA updates to be demonstrated by the eSync Alliance at CES
- eSync is the world’s only OS-independent standard for a bi-directional automotive OTA pipeline
The eSync Alliance is focusing on the importance of containerized software and over-the-air (OTA) updates in software-defined vehicles (SDVs) at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.
Containerized software will play a critical role in the transition to SDVs. Historically, vehicle software has been developed as an embedded component in specific hardware. However, with the need for centralized high-performance computing (HPC) platforms to support advanced autonomous and assisted driving systems, the development cycle of complex software needs to be independent of the hardware it runs on.
Software may continue to mature for many years, far beyond the lifecycle of individual processor chips or computing devices. To shortcut the long development time of chips, systems and software in tandem, the development of software may begin before new computer chips are even available to drive the hardware. This relies on virtual electronic control units (ECUs) and even virtual cars based on simulation to test the efficiency of new software algorithms.
By using containerized software, applications can be packaged to operate independently of the specifics of the underlying hardware. The concept of containerized software is well established in cloud computing, but a relatively new phenomenon in the automotive industry.
When combined with OTA updates, one of the key advantages of using containerized software in an automotive setting is its suitability for continuous integration and continuous deployment. By packaging the software independent of the hardware, it can be easily updated and installed within a variety of vehicles, whether they are different models, different model variants, or different model years.
At CES 2025, the eSync Alliance will discuss and demonstrate how eSync technology can be used to deploy OTA updates to containerized software across multiple automotive-specific HPCs and ECUs. The eSync Alliance will appear at the COVESA Showcase on the evening of Tuesday, January 7, where it will offer its newly released white paper on “Updating Containers Using eSync”.and will present and support live demonstrations of containerized software at the Open AD Kit Meet-up on the CES Show Floor on Wednesday, January 8.
It will also present and support live demonstrations of containerized software at the Open AD Kit Meet-up on the CES Show Floor on Wednesday, January 8. The demonstration will include a working system that integrates Open AD Kit planning and perception modules, running as containers on two automotive-grade HPC platforms. eSync will be used to upgrade the containers in a live demonstration of the continuous deployment process. This demonstration will also be available at the Tier IV booth throughout CES week.
Mike Gardner, Executive Director of the eSync Alliance, said: “Containerized software is critical to the successful adoption of software-defined vehicles. The eSync Alliance is among the first in the industry to demonstrate the relationship between containerization and over-the-air updates in an automotive setting. Alongside our industry partners, this year’s CES will allow visitors to see the technology in action and help foster further collaboration for the benefit of the industry.”
eSync is the world’s only standardized bi-directional over-the-air (OTA) pipeline, which not only enables automakers to seamlessly deploy software updates across all areas of the vehicle, but also sends diagnostics data back to the vehicle manufacturer. Currently used by more than 30 OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers, and deployed across more than five million vehicles globally, eSync is proven to help deploy a fully featured OTA capability more quickly and reliably that proprietary solutions.
Key to eSync’s continued popularity is the eSync Alliance, a non-profit trade association that enables automakers and Tier-1 suppliers to collaborate on setting a standard for OTA. This enables developers of software defined components throughout the vehicle to have a voice in the discussion around OTA specifications, making system development faster, more reliable and cost-effective throughout the supply chain.