In my previous article, I wrote about the growing importance of automotive software and used the design-build-marketing-use concept to show how software differs from hardware. The point of that article is that a software platform strategy is the best way to succeed in the automotive software market.
It is a notorious fact that software development is very difficult to plan and implement - it is especially difficult to estimate the time spent on creating large software products. This state of affairs has been going on since the 1960s, all this is described in detail in the book "The Mythical Man-Month". This is a book by Fred Brooks, it was published in 1975 and updated in 1995. The problems of bringing the software development process to the end can be formulated by Brooks's Law: if you do not meet the deadline, additional human resources will only increase the development time.
In this article, we take a look at the current state of the automotive software platform market. Any software platform relies on the hardware required to run programs. I will cover the automotive software market segments and provide examples of important products. But first, we need to understand what software platforms are, and also consider their advantages and disadvantages.
Platform overview
A platform is a technology that allows you to create products that are similar to each other, using the results of past developments. As part of a platform implementation strategy, many products or product families can be developed at a much lower cost than developing each product individually. The automotive industry makes wide use of common chassis with a variety of engines, interiors and form factors. BEV platforms are now becoming an important trend in the automotive industry. In addition, this approach is very common in the computer industry - you can often find platforms of different levels (from processor and hardware, to software and application platforms).
The use of software platforms has become a key strategy in all segments of the computer industry - from mainframes and minicomputers to personal computers and tablet PCs. Software platforms are also the backbone of the smartphone market and have become a key driver behind iOS and Android. Software platforms are also gaining in importance in the automotive industry and are especially important in the emerging software-dependent vehicle market.
Software platforms also have disadvantages. Their implementation requires writing large amounts of code, and they are often slower. They can also increase the hardware requirements. However, in most cases, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.
A software platform is usually a collection of many software modules for implementing specific functionality. However, it can also be small programs that are used in larger platforms. Thus, software platforms can vary greatly in size and code complexity. The key aspect is the reuse of software modules to save development and maintenance costs, as well as increase the level of reliability by reducing the total number of software errors.
The key to using and implementing software platforms are APIs that allow you to create a modular block structure and provide communication between modules or different platforms. APIs for specific software market segments, if successful, form an ecosystem of complementary software modules that significantly increase the cost and use of the platform over time.
Automotive software platforms
Software platforms in the automotive market are growing rapidly and have a major impact on the entire automotive software industry, with growth expected to continue over the next decade. The table below summarizes the status of the major software platforms used in the automotive industry. There are many other platforms - they are not covered in this article due to the lack of details about their development. The following sections provide an overview of each of the software platforms listed in the table.
OS
All automotive ECUs need software to control the various hardware components, as well as applications that will be executed by the control unit.
All automotive control units require software to control the various programs that control the hardware components and applications that all ECUs are designed to support. The Automotive Consortium has developed and continues to expand the capabilities of the AUTOSAR platform. AUTOSAR is a layered software architecture with standard APIs for applications executed by ECUs. It also has an independent interface that is compatible with most microprocessor architectures used in the automotive industry. AUTOSAR is the industry leading software platform for driver assistance systems and other traditional ECU applications. However, AUTOSAR cannot manage blocks with a complex and extensive codebase the way infotainment systems do.
All of this opened the door to operating systems, which began to be used in the high-tech industry as applied to automotive systems. Operating systems were the first high-tech software platforms to have a major impact on the automotive industry. High-tech operating systems are used in modern infotainment and telematics systems. Also complex operating systems are used in ECUs, ADAS systems are also moving in this direction.
Some control units have increased safety requirements and require systems that have passed certification (eg ISO 26262). Currently, none of the Linux versions have such certifications. Such blocks use QNX, Green Hills and other similar operating systems that have security certificates.
Infotainment systems are the highest level of development for systems using the OS. In the OS platform market, there is a battle between QNX and various Linux versions - AGL, Android, and GENIVI-compatible versions. Android from Google is developing by leaps and bounds. Android's success stems from the founding of the Open Automotive Alliance (OAA) in 2014. The alliance currently includes 60 brands, including leading OEMs such as Chrysler, Fiat, Ford, GM, Honda, Hyundai, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Renault, Toyota and VW.
The OS platform usually contains numerous programs that are referred to as middleware needed to provide a variety of functionality. Middleware is a kind of software glue. This software provides various applications with access to services not available from the OS kernel. Middleware ranges from utilities to hardware interfaces for automotive components. HMIs and user interfaces are also often referred to as middleware.
OS hypervisor
A hypervisor is a small software platform for managing multiple operating systems and their applications.
This platform can also be called a virtual machine monitor (VMM). Virtualization has been used in the computer industry since the 1960s and is a key technology for data centers. Hypervisors are gaining importance in automotive software because they solve a range of problems and can be a cost-effective solution.
There are two examples that demonstrate the benefits of hypervisors. First example: a backup monitor, which must be installed on all vehicles sold in the United States, is a component of systems with increased safety requirements. Second example: a display in an infotainment system might be an ideal backup medium for displaying information, but Linux cannot be used in this scheme because it does not have the necessary security certifications. The solution could be a hypervisor that integrates Linux with QNX, Green Hills, or other OS with security certifications.
Instrument cluster and infotainment integration is another example of a situation where a hypervisor is the solution. Also, hypervisors can be used in combination with specific electronic control units.
Telematics systems
Telematics systems have built-in software platforms that interact with SaaS services that work with telematic data. On-board telematics systems use operating systems, and QNX is the leader in this market segment (due to the fact that QNX is used in OnStar). Leading tier 1 vendors integrate software and hardware into telematics systems. Several of the Tier-1 providers of infotainment systems are also leading providers of telematics systems.
SaaS telematics software platforms are owned by Telematics Service Providers (TSPs) (such as OnStar, SiriusXM, Verizon Telematics, and WirelessCar). OnStar is only used in vehicles from GM, but other suppliers have a number of OEM customers. The WirelessCar system is currently largely owned by VW, and the infusion of additional resources is likely to expand its market position.
Telematics service providers are starting to leverage cloud-based resources from Microsoft, AWS and Google as companies are deploying SaaS platforms for networked car functionality.
Infotainment systems
High-tech infotainment systems are the most sophisticated automotive systems in series production. They typically have sophisticated display systems built in with sound and navigation systems and a range of different applications.
There are systems with the ability to connect to telematics systems, instrument clusters and HUDs. Infotainment systems also have an extensive user interface for controlling and interacting with the driver or passenger. Many infotainment systems provide connectivity to a software platform for using smartphones and various applications in conjunction with the Virtual Personal Assistants (VPA) described below. Infotainment systems also make extensive use of over-the-air and cybersecurity software technologies, which will also be discussed in the following sections.
Thus, several different software platforms can be used in conjunction with an infotainment system. The key software platform in this scheme is the OS, since it is it that indirectly controls all software related to the infotainment system. In these systems, the main market share is occupied by various operating systems from the Linux group, in particular, Android is becoming more and more important. However, the choice of OS for the infotainment system varies greatly depending on the OEM.
Also, many infotainment platforms use navigation software systems - in about 25% (the share depends on the country). Navigation software platforms are generally supplied by companies specializing in navigation in the automotive and other industries. Tier-1 Suppliers can also supply navigation software.
Most modern infotainment systems use displays and the average display size is growing every year. Displays are now embedded in about 60% of infotainment systems. Some high-end systems even use graphics accelerators to improve display output performance.
Integration of smartphones and mobile applications
Nowadays, the smartphone has become an integral part of the driver's life. Many drivers want to use apps from their smartphones in their infotainment systems in order to reduce distraction from the device. Several OEMs have developed platforms for integrating mobile applications into infotainment systems. However, the popularity of Apple's CarPlay and Android Auto has eclipsed everyone else. Many infotainment systems support both CarPlay and Android Auto to be able to interact with most modern smartphones. Baidu CarLife is mainly used in China, and there the system has a very strong position as Android Auto is not available in China.
The popularity of CarPlay and Android Auto is driven by two main factors: a familiar user interface and a large number of car-specific apps for both platforms. However, iOS and Android apps don't work like CarPlay or Android apps by themselves. These applications must be modified to work with a specific platform. The most popular are apps with maps, parking and traffic data, music, podcasts, audiobooks, news, messages, and a calendar.
More than 500 car models from 65 different car manufacturers work with CarPlay. Android Auto runs in roughly the same number of vehicles from 60 car manufacturers.
Virtual personal assistants
Voice assistants, or virtual personal assistants (VPAs), have proven themselves well in the automotive industry. Many drivers use voice assistants in their smartphones or home devices. OEMs tried to create their own assistants, but high-tech platforms with voice assistants took over. The leading developers of voice assistants are the same companies that lead the smart home and smartphone market: Amazon and their Alexa, Google and their assistant, Apple and Siri. Advances in AI and voice recognition technologies have shaped the demand for voice assistants as they help drivers to get less distracted.
There are two ways to use voice assistants in the car: through the integration of the mobile application into CarPlay or Android Auto, or through a separate software platform with an assistant within the car infotainment system. The leader in integrated assistants is Alexa, with Android's assistant holding a solid second place. Apple's Siri is primarily used in CarPlay as Apple is the market leader in smartphone integration. Alexa and Google Assistant are also used to integrate mobile apps.
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