As the climate crisis comes knocking on our doors, Electric Mobility is the vital piece of the puzzle that will solve the upcoming catastrophe.
Giving out a negligible amount of carbon emissions, Electric Vehicles (EVs) have exceeded the industry’s expectations in deserting normal sales growth patterns.
Yet along with EVs, EV Software is also gaining momentum with the entry of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems in the picture.
Owing to its simple architecture and battery-oriented mechanism, EVs predominantly has two key components, namely, hardware components and software components.
Emphasizing the Role of Software in EVs can be better described as the backbone of the vehicle since they determine how efficiently the hardware component function.
With the rising cases of pollution-based emissions harming the climate, many nations have started promoting the usage of multiple embedded software technologies to be integrated into new-generation vehicles, especially in EVs.
Role of Software in EVs was further solidified with the introduction of the software-defined vehicle or SDVs that is now becoming a requirement for every ICE based, hybrid as well as Electric vehicle.
Nonetheless, before considering the Role of Software in EVs, let us explore the world of Software Defined Vehicles and how much significance SDVs hold in new-generation vehicles.
What is Software-Defined Vehicle or SDV?
Becoming popular since its introduction by Tesla in 2012, the SDV concept was widely utilized around the world.
In SDV Concept, the Role of Software in EVs is defined as a vehicle where features and functions are primarily enabled through software.
Furthermore, it reflects the gradual transformation of automotive from highly electromechanical terminals to intelligent, expandable, mobile electronic terminals thus stepping towards the age of new-generation vehicles that can be continuously upgraded.
Role of Software in EVs represents the dawn of new technology and the departure from the traditional development stage for automotive manufacturers.
Constant upgradation is necessary to stay competitive as software becomes a bigger part of automobiles.
In other words, the term “Software-Defined Vehicle” signifies a vehicle whose operations can be primarily enabled and managed through its software applications.
SDVs are not necessarily an EV, however, they can also be used for combustion vehicles.
SDVs are thus enabling tremendous improvements in the overall commuting experience of the driver.
Types of Software Technologies Used in EVs
Firstly, defining the meaning of the term “Software,” is the aggregation of data and systems used by a computer to tell it how to work and manage it accordingly.
Listing some of the main types of software used in EVs includes controlling and managing the vehicle, as well as tackling some of the shortcomings experienced by EV drivers.
Describing the Role of Software in EVs in more detail, the types are,
- Car Design Software
- Monitoring Software
- Navigation Software
- Maintenance Software
Role of Software in EVs
Stepping at the threshold of 2022, it is quite difficult to envision any contemporary automobile without embedded software.
Furthermore, it’s harder to conceive a car equipped without it and though several cars can function without software specifically traditional cars running on fossil fuels, the level of integration between software and the critical functioning of a vehicle is extremely interlinked in the case of Battery based Electric Vehicles (BEVs).
For more information regarding BEVs and other types, you can check out my previous article, “BEV, HEV or PHEV- What are They and Their Differences?”
Smart software used in EVs, for example, acts as a limited-slip differential in the Tesla Model S.
Simply put, a limited-slip differential offers additional torque to the wheel that has traction and in turn, reduces torque to the wheel that is slipping.
Role of Software in EVs is therefore extremely significant in the future generation of vehicles.
Generally, there are no complex mechanical systems or an engine in an EV, which means that software is used to manage and operate the vehicle.
Computing in the architecture of EVs signifies the heart of the vehicle while emphasizing the Role of Software in EVs and thus plays an important part in their functioning.
As the EVs continue to develop, the Role of Software in EVs is also becoming the key as the data collected within the vehicle can also be used for the software developers to evaluate overall vehicle performance and helps in identifying weak spots in the EV design.
Therefore, creating a natural feedback mechanism that will continuously improve the performance of future electric vehicles.