As the automotive industry transitions towards increasingly sophisticated technologies, the 2024 State of Automotive Software Development Report reveals critical insights into the sector’s evolution. With software quality and security as pivotal concerns, the industry is redefining vehicles as not just transport means but as complex, mobile computing platforms.
Evolving Software Priorities: A survey involving 600 automotive development professionals highlighted by Perforce Software, alongside Automotive IQ and the Eclipse Foundation, has identified software quality as a paramount concern, overtaking safety issues that now worry 21% of the respondents. Complex codebases, adherence to coding standards, and extensive testing requirements are major challenges, with 47% of development teams spending most of their time on testing.
Security Over Safety: In a significant shift, security concerns now surpass safety issues, with the report indicating a regional divergence where Asia-Pacific remains quality-centric. The modern vehicle, equipped with up to 150 electronic control units, faces increased risks of cyber-attacks, emphasizing the need for robust security protocols. Recent data shows a 225% surge in car system hacks from 2018 to 2021, with keyless entries being prime targets.
Adherence to Standards: Developers are increasingly adopting a proactive approach to security, with 59% implementing shift-left strategies to address vulnerabilities early in the development cycle. The use of MISRA guidelines and AUTOSAR C++14 coding standards is on the rise, aiming to bolster software reliability and security.
Electric Vehicles in Focus: With global shifts towards electric vehicles (EVs), 51% of developers are now primarily working on EV technology, and an additional 33% are engaged to some extent. This focus is part of the industry’s response to meet governmental environmental targets, even as pressures mount to control development timelines and costs.
Autonomous and Intelligent Technologies: Autonomous vehicle development is robust, with 75% of developers engaged in this area, driven by concerns over safety and security. The use of AI and machine learning is evolving, with a notable decrease in product design applications but significant involvement in autonomous driving and vehicle-to-everything communications.
The automotive software development landscape is undergoing a rapid transformation, driven by the need for enhanced quality, security, and innovative features. As developers navigate these complexities, they unlock new opportunities to streamline processes and enhance vehicle functionality, ensuring safety and satisfaction in the digital age.