Over-the-Air Updates: The Backbone of Software-Defined Vehicles
Last updated
Last updated
Over-the-air (OTA) updates are a cornerstone of software-defined vehicles (SDVs), enabling dynamic enhancements, fixes, and improvements without the need for physical intervention. OTA updates today can deliver various digital artifacts, including software updates, AI model improvements, configuration and media data, as well as operating system or firmware updates. Each update must go through rigorous testing, integration, validation, and regulatory approval before distribution.
The distribution process is typically managed through an app store or similar platform, incorporating campaign management to ensure compatibility with different vehicle variants and environmental factors. Once an update is ready, it reaches the vehicle via either a push mechanism or a pull initiated by the driver or vehicle owner. Onboard, an update agent handles the process, performing security and safety checks, identifying the target environment (e.g., a specific ECU or container), and applying the update through installation, configuration, and validation.
Traditional vehicle architectures with dozens or even hundreds of ECUs, often connected via low-level networks like CAN or LIN, present significant challenges. These networks lack the capacity to support comprehensive OTA updates, leaving many ECUs isolated from the update process.
As a result, in such legacy architectures, updates for certain ECUs may still require manual recalls. This limitation underscores the importance of modern central compute and zonal architectures, which are designed to fully support OTA capabilities and unleash the potential of software-defined vehicles.
The limitations of legacy vehicles mean that OTA update campaigns often focus primarily on resolving quality-related issues rather than optimizing existing features or introducing entirely new functionalities. However, the future of OTA lies in enabling greater individualization and personalization of vehicles throughout their lifecycle.
This shift will support not only bug fixes but also the continuous release of new features, enhancements, and innovative functionalities. Managing the growing complexity of software and hardware combinations will be key, ensuring seamless integration and maintaining the high reliability expected in the automotive industry. This vision of continuously evolving software-defined vehicles aligns with the broader trends of digital transformation across mobility.
Rivian provides a compelling example of the potential of OTA in software-defined vehicles. During their investor day, Rivian reported that over the past two and a half years, they had successfully introduced approximately 500 new features through more than 30 OTA campaigns. This achievement highlights the transformative power of OTA in delivering ongoing value to customers. Impressively, 96% of Rivian's customers installed these updates within two weeks of release, showcasing high customer engagement and trust in the OTA process. Rivian’s example underscores the importance of robust OTA systems in creating vehicles that evolve dynamically with software, staying at the forefront of innovation and user experience.