Latest news with #Sonatus
Forbes
15-07-2025
- Automotive
- Forbes
Preparing For The Software-Defined Future Of Commercial Vehicles
Yu Fang is CTO, CPO & Co-Founder at Sonatus. In the fast-paced and rapidly transforming landscape of commercial mobility, one thing is increasingly clear: the future of commercial vehicles will likely be software-defined. Regulatory mandates for electrification, booming e-commerce and rising expectations around mobility services are reshaping commercial vehicle demands. This has led more original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to transition from traditional static vehicle architectures to software-defined vehicles (SDVs). The Drawbacks Of Traditional Vehicle Architectures Today's commercial vehicle market is thriving, projected to grow significantly in sectors like light commercial vehicles (LCVs), expected to reach over $857 billion by 2033. Middle-mile delivery vehicles, such as box trucks, are also experiencing substantial growth, expected to expand from $113 billion in 2024 to approximately $183 billion by 2029. This expansion underscores the need for manufacturers to adapt swiftly to meet evolving market demands. Yet, amid these promising opportunities, significant challenges persist. Fleet operators and manufacturers alike face increased complexity from diverse customer needs. Delivery fleets, for instance, demand specialized requirements such as climate-controlled compartments for perishable goods, while passenger vans require enhanced safety and integrated comfort features tailored to their unique operational scenarios. Additionally, fleet operators require digital tools, increasingly powered by AI, to optimize vehicle maintenance, enhance driver performance and increase operational efficiency. While traditional vehicle architectures—often characterized by tightly coupled hardware and software—have served the industry well, they are increasingly challenged by dynamic and rapidly evolving demands. Software-defined vehicle architectures offer one response to these pressures, providing a more flexible foundation for updates, services and innovation. Making The Shift To Software-Defined Vehicles The shift toward SDVs is not just a trend. For many commercial vehicle manufacturers, it has become a strategic imperative. At the core of SDV architecture is the decoupling of hardware and software, enabling centralized computing and over-the-air (OTA) updates. This transition can unlock a range of operational and commercial advantages uniquely suited to commercial fleets. However, making the transition is not without challenges for OEMs and suppliers. Incumbent OEMs must contend with legacy vehicle architectures, hardware-centric development methodologies and production processes, even as they transition to software-centric paradigms. Traditional product cycles are lengthy and often limited by the ability to secure the necessary hardware before software development can commence. In contrast, decoupling software from hardware in SDVs enables the development process to 'shift left,' allowing OEM engineers to work on next-generation vehicle functionality in advance of vehicle systems being in place. The other challenge incumbent OEMs face is organizational. Aside from having to hire software talent rather than mechanical and mechatronic engineers, OEMs have long operated in functional silos that come together only in the final stages of development and production. In a software-centric automotive world, there needs to be strong cross-functional collaboration right from the start to achieve the holistic vehicle innovations promised by the move towards SDVs. Once this transition is successfully made, it helps unlock a range of operational and commercial advantages uniquely suited to commercial fleets. For instance, they enable faster deployment of new features—such as optimized routing, advanced driver assistance or fuel-efficiency modes—without requiring recalls, aligning with fleet expectations for continuous digital upgrades. OEMs can also tap into new revenue streams through software subscriptions, usage-based pricing and performance upgrades that extend beyond the initial sale. Centralized data and diagnostics support predictive maintenance to minimize costly downtime, and a software-first approach simplifies development across multiple vehicle models, reducing complexity and accelerating time to market. For commercial vehicle OEMs, transitioning to an SDV architecture isn't just about technology—it's about building a future-proof business model that aligns with the demands of modern fleets and unlocks long-term value. The Three Pillars Of A Successful SDV Strategy A successful SDV approach relies on three core technological advancements: modular applications and services, software-configurable vehicle networks and dynamic data management and collection. The resulting flexibility allows OEMs to swiftly and cost-effectively adapt vehicles for a multitude of use cases. Software-configurable vehicle networks transform vehicle architectures by enabling real-time adaptability of electrical and electronic (E/E) systems. The flexibility provided by Ethernet-based networks allows OEMs to add, modify or remove vehicle modules and sensors, accelerating the integration of the latest technologies. This helps reduce wiring complexity, simplifying updates and repairs and improving overall fleet efficiency. Modular applications, containers and microservices allow rapid cloud-native development and seamless deployment of features tailored to customer requirements. Service-oriented architectures (SOAs) facilitate cross-domain integration, tying together various vehicle functions—from powertrain and chassis to infotainment and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS)—into cohesive, dynamic solutions. This capability enables OEMs to continuously provide post-purchase upgrades, enhancing vehicle functionality and driving additional revenue streams. Dynamic data management further empowers manufacturers with robust, event-driven data collection strategies. OEMs can leverage granular vehicle data to implement predictive maintenance, optimize vehicle performance and enhance safety protocols. Event-driven collection methodologies enable intelligent data gathering precisely when certain conditions occur, streamlining storage requirements and improving data utility. Furthermore, SDVs streamline aftermarket integrations, which are traditionally costly and complex. By enabling plug-and-play compatibility with third-party telematics devices, cargo sensors and auxiliary systems, OEMs can reclaim control of the vehicle ecosystem and capture additional value typically ceded to aftermarket providers. Closing Thoughts While the shift toward software-defined architectures can present benefits, it requires a well-planned strategy. OEMs that successfully approach this transition will be better positioned to secure a competitive advantage, delivering vehicles capable of dynamically adapting to future demands while maximizing current market opportunities. Forbes Technology Council is an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs and technology executives. Do I qualify?
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
2025 SDV Survey: Automotive Industry Is Betting on AI, OTA Updates and Advanced Software, Though Obstacles Remain
Annual survey carried out by Wards Intelligence, now part of Omdia, and sponsored by Sonatus highlights major progress in shift to software-defined vehicles SUNNYVALE, Calif., June 04, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sonatus, a leading automotive software company accelerating the shift to software-defined vehicles (SDVs) through artificial intelligence, has sponsored the 2025 edition of the Software-Defined Vehicle Survey, an annual global survey conducted by Wards Intelligence, now part of Omdia. Sonatus today revealed some key findings from that survey in the form of an eBook. Carried out in March 2025, the survey gathered insights from more than 500 automotive professionals spanning Asia, Europe and North America. The study explores the industry's evolving technology priorities, reflecting a decisive shift toward AI, embedded software, and its future potential. The industry is shifting gears to software The study reveals a significant shift in perspective: while data management and systems integration dominated last year, AI and software-related capabilities are now at the top of the priority list. Across all regions, respondents cite AI-based automotive functions, OTA updates, continuous software deployment (CI/CD) and automated software recertification as key elements of future mobility. Another notable finding is the increasing viability of open-source solutions in safety-critical applications. Where proprietary systems previously dominated, Linux-based platforms are now gaining confidence, a shift that reflects a growing need for flexibility and scalability. 83% of respondents are considering Android and Linux in safety systems, compared to 2024, when only 12% considered Linux viable. AI as a driver of new capabilities AI is generating a lot of excitement globally, but not only in areas such as advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and automated driving. Notably, four of the five most promising AI use cases — smart diagnostics, dynamic performance calibration, personalized driving comfort optimization, and predictive maintenance — are not yet widely deployed. Routing and navigation, which is increasingly deployed in IVI systems today, was #4 on the list. This suggests a significant untapped opportunity in foundational vehicle functions, not just infotainment or voice interfaces. OTA Updates are becoming more pervasive 67% of respondents said over-the-air (OTA) updates were already deployed in their vehicles, an acceleration of this shift compared to last year. However, OTA updates are not yet pervasive across all vehicle systems. Only 23% of respondents say OTA are used today for upgrades to vehicle capabilities, though an additional 55% (or 78% cumulative) expect broader deployment by 2026-2027. A modular and progressive approach to software architecture Vehicle architectures are evolving to support scalable, software-centric platforms. Overall adoption of hardware and networking technologies will begin with high-speed in-vehicle network backbones with higher prevalence in 2027, followed by consolidated hardware running multiple workloads with abstraction around 2028. Vehicle platform standardization is expected to occur around 2029, with the transition to zonal architecture beginning from 2030 onwards. Variants of zonal architectures are expected to be the majority during that period. Structural challenges to overcome for a successful transition Despite a clear momentum towards software-defined vehicles, survey replies identified several obstacles to large-scale adoption. Cost optimization and ensuring ROI topped the list (29%), along with data management and privacy (27%), and legacy systems, operations and mindset (26%). Fortunately the journey is seen as worth the effort, as 82% of respondents believe SDVs will be either very successful or somewhat successful in achieving key industry goals like enhanced in-car experience, increased quality, new revenue streams, and faster product development and innovation. Sonatus: Accelerating the shift to SDV To help accelerate the shift to software-defined vehicles with artificial intelligence, Sonatus offers a modular platform of crucial software infrastructure, which is in mass-production in millions of vehicles. For example, Sonatus Collector offers highly configurable dynamic data collection, and Sonatus Updater provides a modern powerful solution for the increasingly complex OTA update requirements of SDVs. To learn more about Sonatus, visit Survey Results eBook and Podcast To access the eBook summary of key results, visit In addition, a recent episode of The Garage podcast by Sonatus featured Maitê Bezerra, Senior Principal Analyst, Software Defined Vehicles, from Wards Intelligence (now part of Omdia) in conversation with Sonatus Chief Marketing Officer John Heinlein, Ph.D., in which they discuss key conclusions of the survey. To access the full dataset from the survey, please contact Wards Intelligence. This study is based on a sample of 559 automotive industry participants, evenly distributed between China, Japan, France, Germany, the United Kingdom and North America (United States and Canada). This distribution ensures both statistical relevance and strong regional representation. 76% of respondents are directly involved in automotive production, while the others are industry suppliers or consultants of various types. About Sonatus Sonatus is a vehicle software company that is accelerating the transition towards software-defined vehicles with artificial intelligence. The diverse products comprising the Sonatus Vehicle Platform serve as key building blocks that allow automotive companies and their ecosystem to fast forward to the future of mobility and deliver continuous improvements in costs, capabilities, reliability, and user experience over the vehicle lifespan. Sonatus' award-winning software platform is in mass production in over 4 million vehicles from Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. Sonatus is privately-held and has raised more than USD $110 million with world-class automotive, technology, and venture investors, including Foxconn, Hyundai Motor Group's Kia Corporation, LG Electronics, Marvell, NEC and Translink Orchestrating Future Fund, SAIC Capital, Translink Capital, UMC Capital, and Wanxiang. Sonatus headquarters are in Sunnyvale, CA (Silicon Valley), with offices in Bangalore, Dublin, Detroit, Frankfurt, Kraków, Paris, Pune, Seoul, Shanghai, Taipei, and Tokyo. For more information, visit About Wards Intelligence Wards Intelligence is the automotive research arm of Omdia, which is a part of Informa TechTarget, Inc. (Nasdaq: TTGT), a technology research and advisory group. The group's deep knowledge of tech markets combined with their emphasis on actionable insights is designed to empower organizations to make smart growth decisions. For more information, visit View source version on Contacts Press Contact: John HeinleinChief Marketing Officerpress@
Business Wire
04-06-2025
- Automotive
- Business Wire
2025 SDV Survey: Automotive Industry Is Betting on AI, OTA Updates and Advanced Software, Though Obstacles Remain
SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Sonatus, a leading automotive software company accelerating the shift to software-defined vehicles (SDVs) through artificial intelligence, has sponsored the 2025 edition of the Software-Defined Vehicle Survey, an annual global survey conducted by Wards Intelligence, now part of Omdia. Sonatus today revealed some key findings from that survey in the form of an eBook. Carried out in March 2025, the survey gathered insights from more than 500 automotive professionals spanning Asia, Europe and North America. The study explores the industry's evolving technology priorities, reflecting a decisive shift toward AI, embedded software, and its future potential. Despite a clear momentum towards software-defined vehicles, survey replies identified several obstacles to large-scale adoption. Cost optimization and ensuring ROI topped the list (29%), along with data management and privacy (27%). Share The industry is shifting gears to software The study reveals a significant shift in perspective: while data management and systems integration dominated last year, AI and software-related capabilities are now at the top of the priority list. Across all regions, respondents cite AI-based automotive functions, OTA updates, continuous software deployment (CI/CD) and automated software recertification as key elements of future mobility. Another notable finding is the increasing viability of open-source solutions in safety-critical applications. Where proprietary systems previously dominated, Linux-based platforms are now gaining confidence, a shift that reflects a growing need for flexibility and scalability. 83% of respondents are considering Android and Linux in safety systems, compared to 2024, when only 12% considered Linux viable. AI as a driver of new capabilities AI is generating a lot of excitement globally, but not only in areas such as advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and automated driving. Notably, four of the five most promising AI use cases — smart diagnostics, dynamic performance calibration, personalized driving comfort optimization, and predictive maintenance — are not yet widely deployed. Routing and navigation, which is increasingly deployed in IVI systems today, was #4 on the list. This suggests a significant untapped opportunity in foundational vehicle functions, not just infotainment or voice interfaces. OTA Updates are becoming more pervasive 67% of respondents said over-the-air (OTA) updates were already deployed in their vehicles, an acceleration of this shift compared to last year. However, OTA updates are not yet pervasive across all vehicle systems. Only 23% of respondents say OTA are used today for upgrades to vehicle capabilities, though an additional 55% (or 78% cumulative) expect broader deployment by 2026-2027. A modular and progressive approach to software architecture Vehicle architectures are evolving to support scalable, software-centric platforms. Overall adoption of hardware and networking technologies will begin with high-speed in-vehicle network backbones with higher prevalence in 2027, followed by consolidated hardware running multiple workloads with abstraction around 2028. Vehicle platform standardization is expected to occur around 2029, with the transition to zonal architecture beginning from 2030 onwards. Variants of zonal architectures are expected to be the majority during that period. Structural challenges to overcome for a successful transition Despite a clear momentum towards software-defined vehicles, survey replies identified several obstacles to large-scale adoption. Cost optimization and ensuring ROI topped the list (29%), along with data management and privacy (27%), and legacy systems, operations and mindset (26%). Fortunately the journey is seen as worth the effort, as 82% of respondents believe SDVs will be either very successful or somewhat successful in achieving key industry goals like enhanced in-car experience, increased quality, new revenue streams, and faster product development and innovation. Sonatus: Accelerating the shift to SDV To help accelerate the shift to software-defined vehicles with artificial intelligence, Sonatus offers a modular platform of crucial software infrastructure, which is in mass-production in millions of vehicles. For example, Sonatus Collector offers highly configurable dynamic data collection, and Sonatus Updater provides a modern powerful solution for the increasingly complex OTA update requirements of SDVs. To learn more about Sonatus, visit Survey Results eBook and Podcast To access the eBook summary of key results, visit In addition, a recent episode of The Garage podcast by Sonatus featured Maitê Bezerra, Senior Principal Analyst, Software Defined Vehicles, from Wards Intelligence (now part of Omdia) in conversation with Sonatus Chief Marketing Officer John Heinlein, Ph.D., in which they discuss key conclusions of the survey. To access the full dataset from the survey, please contact Wards Intelligence. This study is based on a sample of 559 automotive industry participants, evenly distributed between China, Japan, France, Germany, the United Kingdom and North America (United States and Canada). This distribution ensures both statistical relevance and strong regional representation. 76% of respondents are directly involved in automotive production, while the others are industry suppliers or consultants of various types. About Sonatus Sonatus is a vehicle software company that is accelerating the transition towards software-defined vehicles with artificial intelligence. The diverse products comprising the Sonatus Vehicle Platform serve as key building blocks that allow automotive companies and their ecosystem to fast forward to the future of mobility and deliver continuous improvements in costs, capabilities, reliability, and user experience over the vehicle lifespan. Sonatus' award-winning software platform is in mass production in over 4 million vehicles from Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. Sonatus is privately-held and has raised more than USD $110 million with world-class automotive, technology, and venture investors, including Foxconn, Hyundai Motor Group's Kia Corporation, LG Electronics, Marvell, NEC and Translink Orchestrating Future Fund, SAIC Capital, Translink Capital, UMC Capital, and Wanxiang. Sonatus headquarters are in Sunnyvale, CA (Silicon Valley), with offices in Bangalore, Dublin, Detroit, Frankfurt, Kraków, Paris, Pune, Seoul, Shanghai, Taipei, and Tokyo. For more information, visit About Wards Intelligence Wards Intelligence is the automotive research arm of Omdia, which is a part of Informa TechTarget, Inc. (Nasdaq: TTGT), a technology research and advisory group. The group's deep knowledge of tech markets combined with their emphasis on actionable insights is designed to empower organizations to make smart growth decisions. For more information, visit
Associated Press
29-04-2025
- Automotive
- Associated Press
AutoTech Awards 2025 Shortlist Revealed: Celebrating Innovation and Leadership in Automotive Technology
Winners to be honored at AutoTech 2025 on June 3 in Novi, Michigan NOVI, MI, UNITED STATES, April 29, 2025 / / -- The wait is over: the AutoTech Awards 2025 shortlist has landed, and it's nothing short of electrifying. Recognizing the visionaries, game-changers, and bold breakthroughs shaping the future of mobility, this year's finalists set a new benchmark for innovation across the auto tech landscape. Returning as the must-attend opening event of AutoTech 2025, the AutoTech Awards will take center stage on June 3, 2025, at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, Michigan. The evening will celebrate innovation, strategic collaboration, and leadership across the automotive technology ecosystem. 🏆 Winners will be announced live on the evening of June 3, in a high-energy ceremony that brings together pioneers from OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, software innovators, and emerging disruptors. Curated by WardsAuto and Wards Intelligence, now part of Omdia, and guided by insight from leading experts and partners, this year's shortlist represents the cutting edge of innovation - celebrating not just tech excellence, but real progress in digital transformation, collaboration, and equity. This is more than recognition - it's a celebration of the people and technologies shaping tomorrow's roads, today. View the full shortlist and learn more at AutoTech Awards 2025 Shortlist: Collaborative Partnership of the Year • COVESA • OLEDWorks & Marelli • Tweddle & INAGO Automotive Tech Company of the Year • Hesai • Qualcomm • Lotlinx Automotive Experience Product or Solution • AiDEN • SoundHound AI • Lenovo Automotive Enabling Product or Solution • Lenovo Vehicle Computing • Sonatus • SDVerse Automotive Rising Star • Sharmishta Roy, Software Engineering Leader, Ford Motor Company • Nandita Mangal, Vehicle Feature Owner, Aptiv • Matt Jones, Executive Director, Ford Motor Company Leadership in Workplace Transformation (In Partnership with Women Automotive Network) • PERSICO GROUP • Martinrea International • LKQ Corporation Automotive Woman of the Year (In Partnership with Women Automotive Network) • Deanna Lorincz, Global Director of Communications, Martinrea International • Kelly Brown, Vice President - Global Prototypes & Pilot Operations, Stellantis • Maria Anhalt , CEO, Elektrobit OEM of the Year (Sponsored by Sonatus) • Toyota • Mazda • BYD Tier 1 Supplier of the Year (Sponsored by T-Mobile for Business) • NVIDIA • Continental • Mahle ABOUT AUTOTECH 2025 Rooted in the heart of the automotive industry and organized by Informa Connect, AutoTech has showcased the broad spectrum of automotive electronics and technology for a quarter century. Focused on connectivity and fostering collaboration, AutoTech introduces practical business strategies that deliver instant benefits and outlines future-ready plans to ensure attendees stay competitive in the market. Freya Smale | Director, Marketing WardsAuto | Informa Connect [email protected] Visit us on social media: LinkedIn X Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
