Unlocking Software-Led Transformation in Mobility with Collaboration

Modern mobility is shaped by many forces—electrification, autonomy, connected and shared mobility—but the common thread across them all is that software is transforming virtually everything we do.?Recent studies predict that digitally enabled mobility services are set to rise more than tenfold by 2040, making up 40% of all revenue in the automotive industry.

I believe this software-led transformation in the mobility industry will be even more profound than the shift to EVs.

Advances in software and electronics are already fundamentally changing the way a vehicle functions—from a hardware-based vessel to a software-defined vehicle (SdV). As vehicle intelligence and functions move from individual sensors and actuators to a centralized system, vehicles will have safety and convenience features that can be enabled and updated on demand, creating new business models throughout the industry. The implications of this transformation require us all to collaborate, design, and innovate in new ways.

During a recent panel at the ZF West Coast Mobility Hub with mobility start-ups, OEMs, academics, and government officials, it struck me: though we may be competitors in some settings, when it comes to the global transition to software-defined vehicles (SdV), our shared goals unite us. We all want to provide a safe and seamless experience for mobility customers. In order to deliver on that premise, we need to develop systems with interoperability in mind. For example, ZF Group’s High Performance ProConnect platform—which provides a continuous data loop in connected vehicles to enable over-the-air (OTA) system updates and cloud-edge computing —is compatible with all standard OEM operating systems and networks. It also includes embedded end-to-end data security and built-in data integrity—topics that are of increasing importance to government regulators as they consider digital safety standards for connected vehicles.

By working in alignment with each others’ digital systems and standards, we all benefit from smoother product development processes that bring new mobility solutions to market faster than ever.

In fact, at ZF, we’ve found that using advanced tools and techniques to accelerate software development can cut function development time by up to 60 percent.

That’s why we focus on identifying areas of potential collaboration early on in our process, leveraging the strengths of everyone in the ecosystem to uncover opportunities to create new efficiencies in both time and costs. This requires a commitment from all parties to setting up and utilizing development environments that allow collaboration. This can be achieved through organizations like the Eclipse Foundation, which facilitates open-source software, or in closed setups between OEMs, Tier Ones, and service providers.

Compressing development time and reducing lifecycle costs offer significant value for everyone in the supply chain. For our OE customers, time saved in production equates to faster delivery of innovative products to market, enabling our customers to enhance their productivity while having a net positive impact on their market share. For end-users, the streamlined development process ensures higher product quality, leading to greater customer satisfaction and loyalty. Meanwhile, our common goal of delivering the best possible software-defined vehicle experience sharpens innovation and agility across the entire industry.

Software-related warranty costs are also reduced for manufacturers, and the ability to perform remote troubleshooting means owners spend less time and money at the dealership. Cloud connection and continuous data loops allow for OTA updates that upgrade vehicle systems.

The end result is our shared goal for software-defined vehicles: greater customer satisfaction and a better overall ownership experience through smart, seamless vehicle upgrades.

We all know that today’s systems must evolve continuously and adapt rapidly to emerging technology and mobility trends. That’s why we’re especially excited about being closer to customers and fellow innovators in Silicon Valley so that we can dive into deeper discussions about their specific needs and challenges and collaborate to meet those needs. We’re also actively exploring opportunities to work with startups and other innovators in the region to accelerate the development of new technologies.

I’m proud that ZF is a systems expert that can help bring forward new functionalities and new possibilities as the mobility industry continues to transform. Together with our customers, partners, and even some competitors, we are helping to shape the future of mobility and create safer, more enjoyable experiences for all.