Software Defined Vehicles to rule the roads

CONCURRENT with the global transition to EVs comes another technological revolution in the background called Software Defined Vehicles (SDV) with Hyundai Motor Group at the forefront of developments to: “transform customer experience and deliver an unprecedented era of mobility via constantly evolving software technology.”

Among a plethora of benefits, SDV tech’ affords manufacturers the ability to provide Over-The-Air (OTA) software updates to cars which will apply to all new Hyundai models by 2025.

This brings with it potentially enhanced performance and functionality available anytime, anywhere across all global markets, to keep all models up to date.

Hyundai expects up to 20 million vehicles to be registered to the company’s Connected Car Services (CCS) worldwide by 2025.

To facilitate this, Hyundai has developed an industry-leading, internally developed Connected Car Operating System (CCOS) that will offer customers personalized services and process data at ‘blazing’ speeds.

SDV tech’ will facilitate data-based platform partnerships with industry sectors such as logistics, accommodation, leisure, and entertainment will create an open ecosystem aimed at delivering a paradigm shift in mobility, says Hyundai.

In a win, win situation, SDV tech’ allows constantly upgradeable software that will provide Hyundai with diverse, stable revenue streams (potentially through a subscription model) while offering fresh functionality and features to keep customers’ vehicles up to date.

For owners, it will mean fewer trips to a dealership for tech’ updates and vehicle reconfiguration.

Platform standardization is aimed at cutting costs and development time to enhance Hyundai’s profitability and in a flow-on, help control the cost of vehicles to purchase and to run. 

Hyundai says combining hardware and software technologies will significantly strengthen the Group’s capabilities and consolidate its lead in defining the future of global mobility.

The South Korean manufacturer is building a new Global Software Centre to develop software-defined mobility devices and solutions, surpassing the vehicle market to enter the mobility and logistics market. The company will invest 18 trillion won ($A20 billion) investment by 2030 in Global Software Centre and R&D HQ to bolster software capabilities for SDV development.

At a forum this week to announce their SDV aspirations, Hyundai also shared plans to transform the customer experience throughout the vehicle’s entire lifetime and deliver a “new era of mobility via constantly evolving software technology”.

This will ensure that all models, including those already purchased, remain up to date.

In addition to performance upgrades, it will enable vehicle other functions, including safety, convenience, connectivity, and security to be upgraded OTA.

Based on Hyundai’s next-generation EV platform, new integrated controller technology and the new CCOS, all Hyundai Group vehicles will be equipped to receive OTA software updates by 2025.

Hyundai says connected vehicles equipped with cutting-edge telecommunication features will create unprecedented value and possibilities and provide customers personalized services, such as software subscriptions.

The company says connected car data will network with future Hyundai Group mobility solutions, including Purpose Built Vehicles (PBVs), Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), robotaxis and robots.

By establishing a new data platform, innovative services will be provided through connecting and processing the various data generated throughout the car life cycle.

Hyundai will invest heavily in software technology to integrate hardware and software technologies and enhance and internalise mobility technology capabilities.

“By transforming all vehicles to Software Defined Vehicles by 2025, Hyundai Motor Group will completely redefine the concept of the automobile and take the lead in ushering in a never-before-experienced era of mobility,” said Hyundai Motor Group’s President and Head of R&D Division, Chung Kook Park.

“Creating visionary vehicles empowered with the ability to evolve through software will enable customers to keep their vehicles up to date with the latest features and technology long after they have left the factory.”

From next year, all newly launched vehicles of Hyundai Motor Group will be equipped to receive OTA software updates.

This will apply not just to electric models, but also internal combustion engine vehicles.

All of Hyundai Group’s vehicle segments sold worldwide will evolve to be software defined by 2025.

Hyundai Group will also offer Feature on Demand (FoD) services next year that will give customers the ability to select and purchase functions and features that meet their needs and tastes, and the freedom to create vehicles that best match their lifestyles.

The vast amount of data generated by the 20 million subscribed vehicles to the Group’s CCOS will provide the basis for the further development of personalised services. Hyundai plans to continuously offer customised services that can enhance individual customer requirements and handle vehicle big data exceptionally quickly and ultra-reliably.

Through data gleaned from SDV, Hyundai plans to significantly reduce the time required for all mass-production processes, including planning, design, and manufacturing, by developing a shared hardware and software platform for vehicles. This will enable vehicle components to be shared across different vehicle segments, leading to more efficient vehicle development and greater cost reductions.

Reducing vehicle complexity will further enhance the effectiveness of SDV technology.

The company is also developing technology to support Level 3 or higher autonomous driving using SDV technology.