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The transformative power of software-defined vehicles

Mobility is undergoing a significant shift. Software-defined vehicles promise a new era of flexibility, efficiency, and adaptability. But how can we navigate this change to ensure that new SDVs are not only innovative, but also safe and reliable? How can we integrate these vehicles into our digital lives in a way that meets our needs and expectations?

Mobility
Vehicles
Article

Aug 15, 2025

What is a software-defined vehicle?

Software is at the heart of modern life, shaping how we work, connect, and experience the world. From the smartphones in our hands to the smart devices in our homes, software has transformed everyday objects into dynamic tools that can stay up-to-date with the latest features and services through over-the-air updates. This trend is now driving a profound shift also in the automotive world. Cars are no longer just mechanical machines; they are transforming into intelligent, connected platforms – better known as software-defined vehicles (SDVs).

software defined vehicles
software defined vehicles
software defined vehicles

With software at their core, these vehicles promise to deliver a new era of convenience, personalization, and performance that will redefine our relationship with mobility. Imagine your car becoming smarter overnight, with new automated driving functions or advanced safety features delivered directly to it – no workshop visit required. With software-defined vehicles, this is now possible. This shift is turning cars into "computers on wheels," unlocking endless possibilities for innovation.

Why SDVs matter

For car manufacturers, software-defined vehicles open the door to new business opportunities. Instead of focusing solely on one-time sales, OEMs can generate further revenue streams through software-enabled services and subscriptions. Features such as advanced driver assistance systems, premium infotainment options, or even performance upgrades can be offered as on-demand purchases. This approach not only enhances customer engagement but also provides automakers with valuable insights to improve products and services, turning cars into customer-centric platforms.

software defined vehicles
software defined vehicles
software defined vehicles

The challenges of SDVs: Adapting E/E architecture

However, the shift to software-defined vehicles introduces significant complexity that traditional electrical and electronic (E/E) architectures with a large number of electronic control units (ECUs) distributed in the car can no longer handle. This is why the automotive industry is transitioning to a more centralized approach with zonal architectures which divide the vehicle into physical zones – e.g.  front, rear, left, and right – each managed by a powerful local controller. In addition, one or more central high-performance car computers are at the heart of the architecture. This approach reduces wiring complexity, improves communication efficiency, and simplifies updates, offering the scalability and modularity needed for SDVs. 

Key features of a zonal E/E architecture:

  • Modularity: Zonal architectures allow for greater modularity, as different zones can be developed and upgraded independently. This modularity can lead to easier integration of new features and technologies.
  • Flexibility: With the new architecture, a car’s electrical systems can be flexibly designed and adapted. New components and functions can be added or modified without affecting the entire vehicle architecture.
  • Scalability: Vehicles are becoming more complex with more and more electronic systems. With the scalability provided by a zonal approach, this increasing complexity can be managed more efficiently.
  • Reduced wire harness: By localizing components and controllers, a zonal architecture can reduce the amount of wiring required in a vehicle, resulting in lighter and more efficient designs.
  • Faster development and updates: A zonal architecture enables faster development cycles and easier software updates since changes in one zone may not necessarily require changes to the entire system.
  • Improved reliability and redundancy: Critical functions can be distributed across different zones in the new architecture. This reduces the impact of a single point of failure, improving reliability and redundancy.

Use case: Continental and Infineon driving SDV innovation

Infineon collaborates closely with many partners to further advance the development of SDVs. One such cooperation is with Continental. The goal is to develop advanced server-based E/E architectures with a streamlined system of high-performance computers (HPCs) and Zone Control Units (ZCUs). At the core of Continental’s ZCU platform is Infineon’s AURIX™ TC4 microcontroller. 

Thanks to the innovative Resistive Random Access Memory (RRAM) technology in the AURIX TC4, vehicle systems like parking assistance, climate control, and suspension can activate within fractions of a second when the car starts. The ZCU platform also supports faster and more secure over-the-air updates for vehicle software. This architecture not only simplifies the complexity of vehicle electronics but also enables automakers to tailor their designs with scalable, modular configurations while improving cybersecurity and ensuring functional safety. 

Zone control
Zone control
Zone control
Power distribution
Power distribution
Power distribution

How semiconductors shape SDVs

Zonal architectures rely on advanced semiconductors to bring SDVs to life. They require powerful microcontrollers (MCUs) or system-on-chips (SoCs) to handle the simultaneous processing of multiple vehicle functions while enabling seamless, high-speed communication through advanced protocols like Ethernet.

Functional safety and cybersecurity are equally critical considerations. With SDVs relying heavily on connected systems and cloud interactions, protecting sensitive data and preventing cyberattacks are top priorities. Zonal architectures demand semiconductors with integrated security features that can detect anomalies, safeguard against threats, and alert drivers in case of potential breaches. A scalable, layered security framework – including encryption, real-time monitoring, and compliance with global automotive cybersecurity standards – is vital to ensure that vehicles remain safe, even as software evolves over time.

Multiple security factors must simultaneously be addressed in order to build the best possible, scalable cybersecurity framework

Scalable cybersecurity framework
Scalable cybersecurity framework
Scalable cybersecurity framework

In addition, zonal architectures also play a key role in optimizing energy efficiency and power distribution. By consolidating local functions within each zone, these systems reduce wiring complexity, saving weight and energy. Semiconductors must support this efficiency by integrating intelligent power management features, enabling precise control over power allocation to various components. As SDVs continue to push the boundaries of innovation, semiconductors from Infineon are critical to delivering the performance, security, and efficiency needed for this new era of mobility.