Agile V-Model, anybody?

In the era of software-defined vehicles, OEMs are aiming to decouple mechanical, electrical/electronic (E/E), and digital (software and AI) workstreams to enable multi-speed development. As shown in the diagram, this decoupling ensures that each stream operates at its own optimal pace. The digital workstreams must support rapid iteration cycles, often measured in hours or days, enabling frequent updates, feature improvements, and testing. In contrast, E/E workstreams require a medium-term focus, typically spanning weeks, to ensure robust system integration and validation. Finally, the mechanical workstreams follow a long-term development cadence measured in months, driven by extensive physical testing, safety requirements, and production timelines.

To achieve this multi-speed approach, OEMs must establish clearly defined technical and organizational interfaces. On the technical side, key enablers include loose coupling between the layers of development, supported by hardware abstraction layers (HAL) and vehicle hardware abstraction layers (VHAL). This abstraction allows software and digital innovation to advance independently of hardware constraints. The concept of "Shift North" further supports this, enabling non-safety-critical software functions to reside in higher-level compute environments where rapid changes can occur without impacting lower-level systems.

Organizationally, this decoupling requires well-defined workflows, tools, and responsibilities across teams. By creating interfaces that align development priorities and testing processes, OEMs ensure seamless collaboration while maintaining the integrity of long-term physical systems and fast-moving digital innovation.

Additionally, this approach aligns with the Shift Left strategy, which emphasizes early-stage digital validation through simulation, virtualization, and continuous testing. This minimizes costly late-stage errors and ensures that the digital, E/E, and mechanical streams can efficiently converge during system integration, verification, and production.

Ultimately, this multi-speed, decoupled development approach provides OEMs with the agility to innovate quickly in the digital space while maintaining the reliability and safety of the physical vehicle systems.