Revolutionizing homologation for software-defined vehicles

Homologation is no longer a final step - it’s a continuous process. Discover how digital twins and simulation can streamline certification for your SDV fleet. (Bild: T-Systems)

From test track to real-time, from months to minutes - homologation is going digital

As the automotive industry accelerates toward connected, autonomous, and software-defined mobility, it faces a critical challenge: how to keep vehicle software compliant, safe, and certifiable while rolling out frequent updates. The traditional vehicle type approval model was built for a world of static hardware, not dynamic software.

But vehicles today are no longer just machines. They are cyber-physical systems—always online, constantly learning, and evolving long after they leave the factory. The result? The old homologation loop is broken.

The solution is here. It’s called the Digital Loop. And it’s changing everything.

What’s at stake: speed, safety, and compliance in the SDV era

Modern vehicles run on millions of lines of code. With every software update—be it a safety patch, new ADAS feature, or an expansion of the operational design domain (ODD) - comes a new compliance burden. Regulatory standards like UNECE R156 (software updates), R157 (automated lane keeping), and R155 (cybersecurity) are vital. But they also make the update process more complex.

Add to this the sheer volume of vehicle variants - as high as 10⁴⁰⁰ possible configurations - and it becomes nearly impossible to manage updates manually or at scale.

That’s why homologation must evolve from a one-time physical certification to a continuous, digital-first process.

The Digital Loop: a revolution in vehicle software certification

At the heart of the Digital Loop are digital twins—for vehicle configuration, the operating environment, and even user behavior. These twins enable real-time scenario simulation and validation, ensuring updates are deployed only when authorized, safe, and compatible. (Bild: T-Systems)

The Digital Loop is T-Systems’ next-generation framework for virtual, simulation-based homologation and secure over-the-air (OTA) software updates. Built in collaboration with leading partners like Microsoft, dSPACE, TÜV SÜD, FEV.io, and Berylls, it enables:

✅ End-to-end traceability of every update
✅ Digital product configuration twins for exact variant validation
✅ Simulation-based approvals using real and synthetic data
✅ Safe, regulator-compliant OTA deployments
✅ Faster time-to-market with reduced risk and cost

Digital homologation in motion: from lab to life

In a live showcase, T-Systems demonstrated how a Level 3 automated vehicle could receive an ODD update that expanded lane-keeping capabilities - virtually homologated before deployment. No physical test loop. No delays. No guesswork.

Using cloud-based simulation, AI-powered scenario generation, and collaborative validation tools, the update was tested, verified, and approved digitally. This model is now being applied to real-world OEM programs - slashing update cycles from months to weeks, or even days.

Why digital homologation matters - for everyone

With the Digital Loop, homologation becomes a living, breathing part of the SDV ecosystem. It aligns with agile development models, supports GenAI-generated data for edge case simulation, and creates a real-time safety net for functional software releases. (Bild: T-Systems)

For OEMs: Accelerate development cycles, reduce recalls, and deploy new features safely
For regulators: Gain transparent access to digital validation data, reduce review timelines
For suppliers: Collaborate on standards, interfaces, and secure data pipelines
For customers: Receive timely updates, improved features, and enhanced vehicle safety.

The ecosystem behind the loop

We bring together the digital threads across development, validation, regulation, and OTA operations to create a shared homologation highway—fast, modular, and built to scale. (Bild: T-Systems)

The Digital Loop is more than a framework—it's an ecosystem. Together with TÜV SÜD (technical compliance), dSPACE (scenario validation), FEV.io (ADAS algorithm development), and Microsoft (cloud + AI backbone), T-Systems acts as the integrator of trust.

From concept to campaign: scalable updates made simple

With built-in update campaign management, the Digital Loop ensures updates are:

Delivered to the right vehicle variant
Authorized and verified against installed software
Compliant with regulation (e.g., SUMS, CSMS)
Reversible in case of critical issues

Whether it's one model or an entire fleet, updates are orchestrated using smart device and configuration management, backed by detailed version histories and live diagnostics.

Why now: the urgency of digital homologation

With upcoming EU mandates, rising cybersecurity concerns, and fast-moving competition, the time for digital homologation isn’t just near - it’s now. Continuous certification is no longer a luxury; it’s a competitive necessity.

And with consumer expectations rising - think instant updates, seamless features, and zero downtime - manufacturers need homologation processes that match the speed of software.

Let’s twin it - and win it

Digital twins are the gateway to virtual approval. The Digital Loop is the bridge between innovation and certification. And T-Systems is the partner that makes it all real.

Are you ready to unlock the future of automotive compliance and software-driven growth?

Start your Digital Loop journey today.

👉 Contact us for a consultation and information material in German

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Together, we can build faster, safer, and smarter vehicles—with confidence.