Software-defined systems are fundamentally transforming commercial vehicles: Functions are no longer implemented exclusively via individual control units and fixed hardware, but increasingly through software, centralized computing architectures, and connected platforms. This allows new functions to be developed more quickly, deployed easily via updates, and adapted to different usage scenarios. For manufacturers, fleet operators, and suppliers, this transformation opens up new opportunities but also presents technological and organizational challenges.
The Fraunhofer IESE workshop focused in particular on the following topics:
- New business models enabled by digital functions and services
- Over-the-air updates for rapid and scalable functional enhancements
- The role of Digital Ecosystems in the context of the Software-Defined Truck
- Data-driven services for operations, maintenance, and fleet management
- Cultural and organizational change, as well as IT governance processes
- Cybersecurity and functional safety as key prerequisites
- Central vehicle architectures and standardized hardware and software interfaces
The goal of the workshop was to establish a shared understanding of how software-defined systems can shape the next generation of commercial vehicles. In addition to the technological fundamentals, the focus was particularly on business potential – for example, in the areas of innovation, efficiency, and flexibility. At the same time, it became clear that the transition to software-defined vehicles is not merely a technological challenge but also requires organizational changes.
Fraunhofer Institute for Experimental Software Engineering IESE