Software Software-defined... Headache? by Bill Visnic Experts say the auto industry has to change its methods to effectively and efficiently develop the software central to new-age vehicles. The " software-defined vehicle " is the auto industry's latest fascination. Probably with due cause, as engineers and other experts and analysts understand that the vehicle-electrification transformation rests on the back of software. But an auto industry wedded to its ingrained methods needs to drastically adapt its engineering processes to develop software - and the change isn't coming easy. That's at least in part because there's wide disagreement even about what " software-defined " really means. In an informal late-spring talk with media, Peter Waeltermann, CEO of testing and validation specialist dSpace - a company at the tip of the spear when it comes to cutting-edge software development - bemusedly said of the software-defined vehicle (SDV), " I don't know if anybody really understands it. " The intrigue runs deeper. In an interview with SAE Media, Maria Anhalt, CEO at Elektrobit, the 35-yearold developer of software products and services for the auto industry that is an independently operated but Vehicles are controlled by a wildly expanding amount of software; how to effectively manage software development is a source of considerable industry stress. 18 July 2023 ADAS & AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE ENGINEERING Elektrobit