How is software changing the automotive industry?

At the 28th Automotive Electronics Congress in Ludwigsburg, Katrin Matthes, CTO and Vice President for Innovation & Technology at Renault, took to the stage and opened her presentation with a powerful message: ‘Transformation through software - challenges and opportunities’. Matthes, who in her role plays a key role in setting the technological course for the future of Renault, took the audience on a journey through the current trends and far-reaching changes that the automotive industry is undergoing in the course of digitalisation. ‘We are at a turning point,’ Matthes explained emphatically. ‘Software is taking the wheel, and that means not only a technical revolution, but also a cultural revolution for companies like Renault.’

Why is software so important for the future of the automotive industry?

According to Katrin Matthes, software is crucial because it forms the basis for the future development and competitiveness of the automotive industry. Müller explains that the automotive industry is in a transition phase where vehicles are increasingly defined by software rather than traditional mechanical components. ‘At Renault, we have a long history and deeply rooted methods,’ said Müller. ‘But the transformation to a software-defined vehicle (SDV) is forcing us to rethink old ways of doing things.’ Software makes it possible to develop new functions and services that can be continuously updated and improved over the lifetime of a vehicle, creating significant added value for customers. This goes far beyond the mere implementation of infotainment systems and also affects safety-critical systems and energy management in the vehicle.

How does software influence hardware development in vehicles?

Matthes emphasises that the relationship between software and hardware has changed fundamentally. In traditional vehicle development, the hardware was developed first and the software had to adapt to this. However, Matthes explains that when developing a software-defined vehicle, this approach no longer works: ‘The hardware was often already defined before we developed the software,’ she explained. This led to challenges when software had to be integrated into existing hardware architectures, especially with centralised e-architectures. Matthes emphasised that software development now needs to start earlier in the process to ensure that the hardware is optimally matched to the requirements of the software. This particularly applies to high-performance computers (HPC) in vehicles, where it is important to find a balance between the necessary computing power, costs and energy consumption.

What role do partnerships play in the transformation?

In her keynote speech, Matthes emphasised the importance of partnerships in mastering the complexity of the transformation. One example is the collaboration between Renault and Google, which has enabled Renault to develop advanced middleware and development tools. Matthes explained that these partnerships go beyond traditional supplier relationships and require close collaboration between technology companies and car manufacturers. ‘The partnership with Google goes beyond just supplying hardware,’ Matthes said. It also includes the joint development of software solutions that enable Renault to differentiate itself in the market. Such partnerships are crucial to mastering the challenges of digitalisation and developing innovative, market-leading products.

What does data-driven development mean for the automotive industry?

Matthes also spoke about the importance of data-driven development, which enables Renault to continuously improve vehicle functions. She explained that by collecting and analysing data throughout the lifecycle of a vehicle, Renault is able to monitor the actual performance and usage of vehicle functions. This data then feeds back into the development processes to create software updates that further improve the functionality and efficiency of the vehicle. ‘Data-driven development allows us to define functions early in the development cycle and then continuously adapt and optimise them,’ explained Matthes. This reduces development times and makes it possible to react more quickly to market changes and customer feedback.

How is software changing the way the automotive industry works?

The introduction of software as a central element in vehicles has far-reaching effects on the way the automotive industry works. Matthes emphasised that this transformation requires a shift towards agile methods and cross-functional collaboration. She described how traditional development processes that took place in isolated departments are now being replaced by a centralised and collaborative approach. ‘The biggest change we see is the need to centralise functions and break down silos,’ Matthes explained. This means that different teams - from software development to hardware integration to product managers - need to work more closely together to deliver an integrated, high-quality end product. Agile development methods make it possible to work in shorter cycles and continuously integrate new software features, which is crucial to remain competitive in the fast-moving market.