Bosch said it partnered with Microsoft to develop a software platform to connect cars to the cloud seamlessly.
The new platform, which will be based on Microsoft Azure and incorporate software modules from Bosch, will enable the software to be developed and downloaded to the control units and vehicle computers.
For drivers, the platform will mean quicker access to new functions and digital services, Bosch said in a statement.
Both companies intend to make the new software platform available for first vehicle prototypes by the end of 2021.
“Bosch already securely updates car software over the air today. With the comprehensive platform for software-defined cars, we want to further empower automakers to develop new functions and get them on the road faster,” says Dr. Markus Heyn, member of the board of management of Robert Bosch GmbH.
The software will play an increasingly important role in future vehicle generations. New trends such as electromobility, automated driving, and modern mobility services would not be possible without it.
The pre-integrated platform will significantly reduce the complexity of over-the-air updates, which help ensure that a vehicle’s software is always up to date, thanks to the fact that the software architectures of cars and the cloud will now fit together seamlessly.
“Our collaboration with Bosch brings together the expertise of one of the world’s leading automotive suppliers with the power of the Microsoft cloud, AI and GitHub,” says Scott Guthrie, executive vice president, cloud + AI, Microsoft.
“With software quickly becoming a key differentiator in the automotive industry, our ambition is to help businesses accelerate the delivery of unique mobility services across passenger cars and commercial fleets at scale.”
Bosch and Microsoft also plan to enrich existing developer tools to enable automakers and suppliers to simplify and accelerate their software development while adapting to the automotive industry’s unique challenges.
