Why is standardization so critical for the deployment of automotive OTA?
In the rapidly advancing world of automotive technology and with the advent of software-defined vehicles, over-the-air (OTA) updates have become an expected capability. As you will likely know, OTA allows car manufacturers to remotely update a vehicle’s software, introducing new features, improving performance, and addressing security vulnerabilities, while a bi-directional OTA pipeline can also allow automakers to collect data from the vehicle once it is on the road. However, for OTA to reach its full potential, and for it to be proliferated throughout the entire vehicle – and indeed the automotive industry – standardization plays a vital role.
But why?
Let’s imagine a world without a USB port. Instead, every computer and mobile device manufacturer uses a different way of connecting its product to another. As well as being mightily inconvenient for consumers everywhere, it would have limited developments that we take advantage of today. Remember, it wasn’t so long ago that your desktop computer required a raft of various ports to support the keyboard, mouse, external memory, and printer, rather than the simple USB port we have today.
Standardizing automotive OTA is like providing the industry with a USB port that enables every sensor, ECU, and in-vehicle computing platform within the vehicle to communicate with the cloud.
Standardization Ensures Cost Savings:
Standardizing the OTA platform provides significant cost savings for manufacturers. Instead of investing resources in developing their own OTA update systems, automakers can leverage a standardized platform. By avoiding the need for individualized solutions, manufacturers eliminate the high expenses and time-consuming processes associated with creating proprietary systems. Additionally, standardization reduces the costs involved in testing and validating the OTA platform and functionality, allowing for high reuse across multiple vehicles and manufacturers.
Accelerating Speed-to-Market:
Standardization plays a crucial role in expediting the delivery of new features and updates to the market. By adopting a standardized OTA platform, automakers can bypass the lengthy process of building their own systems from scratch. This streamlined approach allows manufacturers to focus on developing innovative features and enhancements, leading to faster time-to-market. In an industry driven by competition, getting to market faster provides an edge and ensures that consumers can enjoy the latest advancements promptly.
Enhanced Security:
In an era where cybersecurity is paramount, standardization significantly bolsters the security of OTA updates. By utilizing a standardized platform, automakers can establish robust security measures across the entire system. This ensures that updates are delivered securely, minimizing the risk of potential cyber threats. Standardization helps safeguard consumers and their vehicles, building trust and confidence in OTA technology as a secure means of software updates.
Efficient Supply Chain Management:
Standardization optimizes supply chain management, benefiting both manufacturers and consumers. By implementing a standardized OTA platform, manufacturers can ensure that updates reach the widest selection of in-vehicle devices in a timely, consistent, and efficient manner. Consumers benefit from fewer trips to the dealer for a physical recall to be performed, reducing costs and minimizing disruption. Efficient supply chain management leads to increased customer satisfaction, as vehicles are equipped with the latest software enhancements without inconvenience. So, you can see that standardization is a critical factor in the success and widespread adoption of automotive OTA updates. The eSync Alliance, a collaboration of OEMs, automotive suppliers, and software companies, recognizes the significance of standardization and actively promotes the adoption of a scalable and standardized OTA platform.
Through standardization, the industry can achieve cost savings, expedite time-to-market, enhance security, and optimize supply chain management. Standardization drives interoperability, cost efficiencies, and faster proliferation of automotive technology.
With the eSync Alliance leading the way, the automotive industry is poised to benefit from a secure and scalable platform for OTA updates and data collection. By embracing standardization, automakers can unlock the full potential of OTA updates, revolutionizing the driving experience for consumers worldwide. Just as standardized road signs ensure smooth and safe transportation, standardization in OTA updates establishes a common language, enabling seamless communication and advancement in automotive technology.
About the eSync™ Alliance
The eSync™ Alliance is a non-profit trade association driving a multi-company solution for Over-the-Air (OTA) updates and diagnostics data in the automotive electronics space, potentially saving billions of dollars per year for automakers. By working together in the Alliance, companies benefit from a simplified development environment made possible by a standardized yet customizable platform. The Alliance is based around the eSync platform of cloud and embedded components, providing a secure data pipeline to devices within a vehicle. Further information is at https://esyncalliance.org/
eSync Alliance Media Contacts:
Alex Michaelides, Torque Agency Group
Phone: +44 (0)7802 865 732
amichaelides@torqueagencygroup.com
Euan Antona, Torque Agency Group
Phone: +44 (0)7702 334 887
eantona@torqueagencygroup.com
