Cars today are integrated with advanced software systems. These systems connect the infotainment system to your smartphone, monitor lane integrity with lane keep assistance, and even alert you to pedestrians near your vehicle with backup alert systems.
In addition to the traditional mechanical components, software has become a crucial part of the automotive ecosystem, requiring impeccable performance at all times.
In the most recent episode of our podcast What the Dev, Cameron van Orman, chief strategy & marketing officer and GM of Automotive Solutions at Planview, discussed how automakers are handling their software development cycles.
Here is an edited and abridged version of that conversation:
Let’s discuss the intricacies involved in creating autonomous vehicles, specifically the software aspect. What does it take to develop these cars?
As you mentioned, David, the complexity is significant. We’re dealing with an industry pivotal to the Industrial Revolution, seasoned in mechanical and physical engineering, metalwork, and combustion for vehicular propulsion. Now, this industry, with a century’s expertise in physical supply chains, is venturing, though somewhat belatedly, into software. The amount of code in modern automobiles is staggering—ranging from 100 to 500 million lines, and this isn’t limited to electric vehicles. The intricacies of software in traditional combustion engine vehicles are immense, involving not only OEMs but also an extensive, multi-tiered supply chain. Integrating and making this software work effectively to enhance the driving and passenger experiences poses a significant challenge.
Traditionally, car manufacturing was predominantly a mechanical process. How are automakers adapting to the shift towards more digital procedures, merging both realms?
The shift is profound, indeed. One of the top global cloud infrastructure providers recently criticized the auto industry for being slow in adopting cloud technologies, with many still relying on on-premises solutions. Despite this, automakers have swiftly embraced modern software developments over the past decade. However, transitioning to Agile and digital transformations presents ongoing challenges in an industry deeply rooted in traditional manufacturing processes.
The introduction of new car models or platforms heavily depends on software today. Mark Fields, ex-CEO of Ford and current chairman of Planview, has shared insights on this subject. Historically, automobile manufacturers have excelled at monitoring all physical aspects involved in launching new vehicles—from design elements like aerodynamics and engine mechanics to the preparation of manufacturing facilities. However, software issues are now commonly delaying vehicle releases and, in some instances in Europe, even leading to executive dismissals.
Unlike the established practices in physical production, where tasks decrease predictably until a product’s launch, software development does not follow a linear path. Automotive companies are facing challenges in managing the predictability and efficiency of their software supply chains in addition to their physical ones. Delays caused by software can incur costs in the tens of millions due to idle, fully equipped manufacturing plants.
One critical area of concern is software testing. Vehicle software failures can result in severe consequences, making this an extremely high-stakes operation. The question then arises: how much preliminary planning is necessary to avoid such disastrous outcomes?
Significant effort is required to guarantee visibility, effectiveness, predictability, and efficiency throughout the entire lifecycle of software development processes. An interesting aspect of the automotive industry’s approach to modern technological concepts like DevOps or value stream management is that these are typically considered within a single organization. However, in the automotive sector, this must be coordinated across an extensive network of stakeholders including original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and their tier one and tier two suppliers.
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