 What does "software-based" mean? (3)
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Automakers are currently taking a lot from the industry that specializes in professional software development. Is it prepared for that? Of course not. Why is that? If it is still deeply caught up in tradition, it will likely
be unable to break free at that particular stage of its development.
This marks the start of mass production. Everything has to be just right. By then, as many of the criticisms of the current system as possible must have been eliminated. As production volumes increase,
defects multiply and can only be corrected through costly recalls.
Now, one could be a bit cynical and say that some OEMs are putting vehicles on the market that aren't fully developed yet and letting customers do the rest of the testing. Especially with the increase in
software in cars, this would be relatively simple and could be corrected via OTA.
We have our doubts as to whether that's actually how it's handled. Mistakes tend to linger too long in the public eye, as can be seen, for example, with VW. To this day, the company continues to face criticism
regarding its software failures during the launch of the ID.3.
In this context, it is worth recalling the unveiling of the first Golf by the same manufacturer. In his book, Professor Fiala describes all the elements that were added to Giugiaro's body design in the
last six months before production began.
Even back then, people knew how important this model would be for VW. Yes, design may still be important in the purchasing decision, but it is increasingly being replaced by the built-in software. And this trend
seems to be spilling over from China to us.
At this point, at the very latest, we need to make the first small distinction: namely, between the Avanced Driver Avanced Systems on the one hand and infotainment on the
other. The necessity varies for both.
In our opinion, older people may be more likely to not need the latter software. But it could be that the development of software-based cars will rely more on younger people, the future, so to speak.
But then again, they probably shouldn't be emphasizing the logo so much lately, since brand loyalty is steadily declining. Perhaps in an effort to reverse this trend, OEMs are trying to increase their brand visibility in
software as well.
Professional programmers generally advise against reinventing the wheel when it comes to infotainment. There are solutions that have been so thoroughly tested that you can only come in second place when
competing against them. Does that perhaps make SDV manufacturers too dependent?
The video above brings together a former and a current software developer. It's really worth seeing because it highlights both the challenges of software development, especially here in this country, as well as
its enormous potential and indispensability.
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