In automotive development, leaving the factory is no longer the end of the road. With the Software Defined Vehicle (SDV), the car can gain new features, improve its performance and offer services tailored to its users’ needs throughout its life. As the first European vehicle to adopt this architecture, the new Trafic Van E-Tech Electric paves the way at Renault Group.
Key takeaways
The Software Defined Vehicle, or SDV, is changing the vehicle’s electronic architecture: instead of multiplying specialized control units, it relies on more centralized computing, largely driven by software.
The vehicle can receive updates, new features and improvements throughout its life.
Renault Group defines and orchestrates the overall architecture, combining its in-house expertise with that of specialized technology partners.
For several decades, each new function added to a vehicle has generally come with its own electronic control unit: a small onboard computer that drives and monitors a specific vehicle function. Engine management, braking, driver assistance, multimedia and connectivity thus rely on specialized units that operate in parallel.
This organization has allowed vehicles to be enriched gradually, but it has also increased their complexity. The Software Defined Vehicle, or SDV, reverses this logic: rather than multiplying independent control units, it relies on a centralized computing architecture capable of running many functions through evolving software.
From 80 control units to two supercomputers
In the new architecture developed by Renault Group, the vehicle goes from around 80 control units to a system built around 2 high-performance supercomputers. These use CarOS, the vehicle’s Android-based operating system, and are complemented by a limited number of controllers, small onboard computers responsible in particular for vehicle control, critical safety functions and the powertrain.
This change is not just a technical simplification. It transforms the way the vehicle is developed and improved over time.
“The vehicle is no longer a finished product the moment it leaves the factory. It can evolve, improve and gain new capabilities over time.”
Updates, maintenance, fleet management: what the SDV changes
The first tangible change concerns remote “over-the-air” updates. New features, performance improvements or software fixes can be deployed without systematically requiring a visit to the workshop.
The SDV also paves the way for a more personalized experience. Features and services can evolve according to customers’ needs and usage. Better use of vehicle data can also contribute to the development of more relevant services, predictive maintenance and more efficient fleet management.
New Trafic Van E-Tech Electric
These possibilities take on a very concrete dimension with the New Trafic Van E-Tech Electric, recently named International Van of the Year 2027. As the first European vehicle with an SDV architecture, it gives fleet managers a more complete view of their operations: mileage, energy consumption, trip tracking, eco-driving scores and safety indicators.
Onboard intelligence can also help anticipate certain problems before they occur, such as failures linked to component wear. Maintenance thus becomes less reactive and more preventive, with the aim of limiting downtime and disruption to business activity.
An architecture led by Renault Group
Designing an SDV is not just about writing more lines of code. It requires technologies from high-performance computing, operating systems, cloud, connectivity, embedded electronics and digital services to work together.
Renault Group has chosen to define its own target architecture, to develop in-house the capabilities deemed essential, and to select partners to complete certain technology building blocks. The Group thus retains control of the overall architecture and of the experience offered to customers.
“The key to success is to bring together the best expertise, integrate it coherently and make sure it serves a shared vision.”
Cloud, computing, electronics, interfaces: the role of each partner
To bring this vision to life, Renault Group relies on a tight ecosystem of leading partners, chosen for their expertise in key areas: cloud and software, computing power, embedded electronics and onboard interfaces. Each contributes a specific technology building block, but all fit within the architecture defined by the Group. This approach makes it possible to draw on the best of each partner’s know-how while accelerating the development of new features.
Google contributes to the cloud infrastructure, which makes it possible to implement the digital twin, i.e. a virtual replica of the vehicle, and to the operating system, Car OS, notably through Android Automotive OS and Google Cloud. The digital twin speeds up software development independently of the hardware and prepares the vehicle’s continuous evolution through remote updates.
In parallel, Renault Group’s Software & Systems Engineering teams are working with the American company Qualcomm Technologies on high-performance computing platforms. These are based on Snapdragon Digital Chassis solutions, Qualcomm’s automotive platform that provides part of the computing power, connectivity and technologies needed to run software-defined vehicles.
As for Valeo, the supplier develops and produces several components of the electrical and electronic architecture, as well as embedded software and advanced driver-assistance functions for Renault Group.
Finally, LG Electronics works on infotainment systems (music, connected apps), as well as on the cockpit and display interfaces, through to their industrialization.
Partner
Main contribution
Google
Cloud, Android Automotive OS, CarOS and digital twin
Qualcomm Technologies
High-performance computing platforms
Valeo
Electronic components, embedded software and driver-assistance systems
LG Electronics
Infotainment, cockpit and display interfaces
However, the difference does not lie in the sum of these technologies. It comes from their integration within a single, coherent, safe platform capable of evolving. That is Renault Group’s role: it defines the interactions between the different building blocks and ensures that each contributes to a smooth, high-performing experience.
Faster, more flexible vehicle design
The Software Defined Vehicle brings the pace of automotive evolution closer to that of digital usage. It shortens development cycles, makes it easier to introduce new features and allows the vehicle to keep improving after it goes on sale.
With the New Trafic Van E-Tech Electric, this transformation becomes an industrial and commercial reality. It does not just change the vehicle’s electronic architecture. It redefines how it is designed, developed and how value is created for its users throughout its entire life.
The SDV thus lays the foundations for a new chapter: the AIDV, or AI-defined vehicle, with the ambition of moving from a car that evolves to a car that anticipates its users’ needs.
Glossary:
SDV (Software Defined Vehicle): a vehicle whose functions are driven by software that can evolve throughout its life.
Electronic control unit: a small onboard computer that controls one or more vehicle functions.
Centralized computing architecture: an organization that groups many functions on a few powerful computers rather than on separate control units.
Controller: a control unit dedicated to managing specific functions, in particular those related to safety or the powertrain.
OTA (Over the Air): remote update of the vehicle’s software via a wireless connection.
Cloud: remotely accessible servers over the Internet used to store data and run software.
Digital twin: a virtual replica of a vehicle used to simulate its operation and test software changes.
AIDV (AI-Defined Vehicle): a vehicle defined by artificial intelligence, with the ambition of anticipating its users’ needs.
FAQ — Understanding the Software Defined Vehicle
01
What is an SDV in the automotive world?
02
What is the difference between a connected vehicle and an SDV?
03
How does a software-defined vehicle work?
04
What are the benefits of the SDV for users?
05
How do remote updates of an SDV work?
06
Can the SDV be hacked?
SDV stands for Software Defined Vehicle. Its functions rely on a computing architecture designed to let software evolve throughout the vehicle’s life. The vehicle can thus receive improvements and new features after it goes on sale.
A connected vehicle exchanges data with online services, for example to display traffic or play music. The SDV goes further: its architecture makes it possible to evolve the vehicle’s functions through software updates. Connectivity is a means of exchanging data; the SDV is a way of designing and evolving the vehicle.
It relies on onboard computers capable of managing several functions, rather than on a multiplication of specialized control units. Software layers link these computers, the vehicle’s equipment and the services. This organization makes it possible to develop and update software while reducing its dependence on specific hardware.
The main benefit is being able to evolve the vehicle after purchase: enriching services, personalizing certain functions or improving performance. Data use can also help anticipate certain maintenance needs. Finally, the SDV gives fleet managers a more complete view of their operations.
OTA (Over the Air) updates are sent to the vehicle via a wireless connection. They can deliver fixes or evolve compatible functions, without systematically requiring a visit to the workshop.
Like any connected system, a vehicle based on an SDV architecture is never completely immune to cyberattacks. That is why cybersecurity is built into the architecture from the design stage and can be updated remotely.
