SUZUKI-TATA ELXSI Offshore Development Center Opens in Pune

Suzuki Motor Corporation, a Japanese multinational mobility manufacturer, and Tata Elxsi, a global leader in design and technology services, on Monday, inaugurated the ‘SUZUKI-TATA ELXSI Offshore Development Center’ in Pune, India. This dedicated center will drive Suzuki’s innovations in advanced engineering, shaping the future of mobility.

Tata Elxsi will support Suzuki in its green mobility vision by aligning with Suzuki’s goals for sustainable innovation in lightweight design, safety, styling and engineering, eco-friendly materials, and advanced simulations to improve time-to-market. The partnership will also focus on next-generation powertrains and software-defined vehicles, fostering energy-efficient solutions for electric, hybrid, and alternative fuel vehicles.

At the inauguration, Suzuki’s Chief Technology Officer, Katsuhiro Kato, highlighted the importance of the center as a core component of Suzuki’s innovation strategy. “As the industry progresses in Connected, Autonomous, Shared, and Electric technologies, Suzuki must accelerate electronic and virtual development to meet evolving demands.

Tata Elxsi’s expertise in advanced computing, simulation, and design digital makes them an ideal partner in bringing forward-thinking solutions to market. This strategic and long-term partnership incorporates Suzuki’s endeavor of minimising energy and enables India’s talent to actively contribute to our development efforts globally,” said Mr. Kato.

Manoj Raghavan, MD & CEO of Tata Elxsi, shared, “The inauguration of SUZUKI-TATA ELXSI Offshore Development Center marks a significant milestone in our partnership with Suzuki and our shared vision for the future of mobility. Tata Elxsi’s design-led, digital-first approach is uniquely positioned to support Suzuki’s energy minimisation and sustainability goals, advancing the future of automotive engineering with precision and responsibility. We are delighted to support Suzuki in this journey towards transformative automotive engineering.”

Accenture Launches Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV) Training Academy for Enterprises

Accenture has launched the LearnVantage Academy to support innovation in software-defined vehicles (SDVs). This academy aims to equip enterprises in the automotive sector with specialized skills for the emerging digital mobility market, which is projected to reach $3.5 trillion by 2040.

Key features of the LearnVantage Academy include:

Instructor-Led Training: An immersive eight-week program combining online and offline learning.

Modular Program Structure: Over 40 modules covering the entire SDV landscape, from hardware to software.

Applied Learning: Hands-on assignments and tech-stack research projects to ensure practical experience.

Industry standards like AUTomotive Open System ARchitecture (AUTOSAR) and Functional Safety are part of the training, ensuring participants gain practical skills and knowledge. Al-enabled, hyper- personalized learning paths further enhance the tailored learning experience.

This initiative is designed to help automotive companies stay competitive by providing their workforce with cutting-edge technological skills.

Developing software-defined vehicles (SDVs) presents several key challenges. SDVs require advanced software and hardware integration, which can be difficult to achieve.

Training automobile companies in software-defined vehicles (SDVs) is crucial for the industry’s transition to digital mobility. There is a need for specialized skills in software development, data analysis, and cybersecurity. Training and upskilling the workforce is essential. These challenges highlight the need for collaboration across the automotive and tech industries to drive innovation and overcome these hurdles.

Notably, Digital.auto’s offers SDV 101 Course, which is a free digital course that offers an introduction to SDVs, with modules accessible on-demand. It explains the concept and provides foundational knowledge.

Similarily, NXP Semiconductors' SDV Academy also provides insights into the transformation from hardware-centric to software-defined vehicles, showcasing solutions that simplify SDV development. 

Honda and IBM Join Hands for Joint R&D in Semiconductor Chip and To Develop Future SDVs Technologies

Honda and IBM Sign Memorandum of Understanding to Explore Long-term Joint Research and Development of Semiconductor Chip and Software Technologies for Future Software-Defined Vehicles

Agreement outlines intent to research and develop solutions to new challenges related to processing performance, power consumption, and design complexity.

Honda and IBM have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to embark on a long-term joint research and development initiative. This collaboration aims to address the challenges and complexities associated with semiconductor chips and software technologies, which are crucial for the next generation of software-defined vehicles (SDVs).

The MOU indicates a shared commitment to explore specialized semiconductor technologies, such as brain-inspired computing and chiplet technologies. These efforts are directed towards enhancing processing performance while reducing power consumption. Additionally, the partnership will look into open and flexible software solutions to manage the increasing design complexity of semiconductors for future SDVs.

This strategic alliance is a response to the anticipated widespread application of intelligence and AI technologies in mobility and other sectors by 2030 and beyond. The goal is to develop next-generation computing technologies that can meet the high processing performance demands and low power consumption requirements of the future, thereby enabling the realization of highly competitive SDVs.

Besides this IBM (Technology) and Honda (Automobile) collaboration, there have been several other notable partnerships in the tech and auto sectors aimed at accelerating innovation and development. Market research firm Gartner has identified that automakers are re-evaluating their approach to hardware sourcing and predicts that by 2025, 50% of the top 10 automotive OEMs will design their own chips.

Tech Mahindra has partnered with Anyverse to accelerate Al adoption in the automotive industry, focusing on synthetic data to train, test, and validate Al systems for advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), in-cabin systems, and autonomous vehicle (AV) applications.

Automotive software firm Cariad and Bosch, as well as Argo Al, Ford, and Walmart, have announced partnerships to advance automated and autonomous driving and associated services.

Ford and Volkswagen have agreed to explore working on electric and autonomous vehicles together, while Honda invested in General Motors' driverless unit with a view to launching a fleet of unmanned taxis.

These collaborations reflect a broader trend in the industry where tech companies and automakers are joining forces to navigate the complex landscape of software-defined vehicles and the integration of advanced technologies.

Tata Elxsi Collaborates with Arm to Accelerate the Software-Defined Vehicle Journey for OEMs

Tata Elxsi has collaborated with Arm, the global semiconductor design and software platform company, to offer advanced solutions on the latest Arm® processors, which will help Automotive OEMs and Tier-1s fast track their transition to software-defined vehicles (SDVs).

Automotive architectures are evolving from a distributed and domain-based paradigm to SDV, which includes the use of high-performance computing (HPC). This evolution requires a strategic shift in software development, validation, and deployment philosophies.

To recall, last month Tata Technologies inked an agreement, with BMW Group, to form a Joint Venture (JV) that will focus on strategic software development, including solutions for software-defined vehicles (SDV).

Going back to the Tata-Arm collaboration, Tata Elxsi brings its extensive portfolio of SDV solutions through Tata Elxsi AVENIR, a SOAFEE-based software suite that enables the development, integration, building, testing, and deployment of applications entirely on the cloud with ease for OEMs and suppliers.

By collaborating with Arm, Tata Elxsi will make this software suite available on the latest Arm® Automotive Enhanced (AE) technology that will power the high-performance requirements of next-generation vehicles.

Tata Elxsi AVENIR includes a cloud-native development and validation environment, that enables seamless collaboration to develop and validate SDV functionalities, a Connected Digital Twin Framework, which enables easier adoption and management of digital twins and a pre-integrated subscription management software. This allows end users to subscribe to automotive features on demand.

“The automotive industry is being transformed by a massive increase in software and AI that demands more computing within the efficiency and safety constraints of the vehicle,” said Suraj Gajendra, vice president of products and solutions, Automotive Line of Business, Arm. “By bringing together its SDV solutions with Arm’s latest AE technology, Tata Elxsi is leveraging Arm’s efficient performance and safety leadership to accelerate software development cycles for next-generation vehicles.”

“Intelligent vehicles of the future will be powered by SDV, Data and AI, and it is critical that technology companies collaborate to overcome the growing complexities. We are committed to working with Arm to make Tata Elxsi AVENIR available on the latest generation of Arm cores, which will power future HPCs for SDV while fostering innovation and unlocking the benefits of scale.” said Shaju S, Vice President & Head, Transportation Business.

Tata Elxsi AVENIR integrated on Arm processors will provide automakers with a proven and ready-to-integrate SDV framework and modular software components that work seamlessly across Arm-based high-performance computing architectures and chips. This integration accelerates the “shift-left” in SDV development and validation processes, helping drastically cut down time-to-market and development risks.

In automotive software arena, other global companies that made news are — Infosys, which announced the acquisition of in-tech, to enhance its service offerings in the software-defined vehicles (SDVs) domain. Prior to that, and Wipro, which teamed up with General Motors (GM) and global automotive supplier Magna, to develop a B2B sales platform, called SDVerse, for buying and selling automotive software.

Infosys to Acquire Germany's in-tech for About €450 Million

Infosys to Acquire in-tech, A Engineering R&D Services Provider focused on German Auto Industry

Infosys has announced a definitive agreement to acquire in-tech, a leading Engineering R&D services provider focused on the German automotive industry. This acquisition is part of Infosys' strategy to strengthen its Engineering R&D capabilities and expand its footprint across Europe. The acquisition is expected to close during the first half of fiscal 2025, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.

In-tech is known for its work in digitization within the automotive, rail transport, and smart industry sectors, particularly in areas such as e-mobility, connected and autonomous driving, and electric vehicles. With a team of 2200 people across various locations, in-tech brings extensive industry expertise and deep client relationships with German original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to Infosys.

The acquisition is valued at approximately €450 million, and it aligns with Infosys' commitment to the automotive ecosystem, enhancing its service offerings in the software-defined vehicles (SDVs) domain. It's a significant move that underscores Infosys' continued investment in digital engineering and its vision for the future of automotive innovation.

The acquisition of in-tech by Infosys is expected to bring several benefits. Infosys will enhance its engineering research and development (R&D) capabilities, particularly in the automotive sector, which is a key focus area for in-tech. In addition, the acquisition will expand Infosys' footprint across Europe, providing access to new markets and clients, especially in the German automotive industry.

Moreover, with the global network of over 320,000 technology experts that Infosys has, in-tech will be able to realize projects faster and more flexibly, benefiting clients with quicker time-to-market for their products.

Recent Acquisitions by Infosys

Infosys has been active in its acquisition strategy to bolster its capabilities and expand its global presence. Here are some of the recent acquisitions by Infosys:

• Insemi: Acquired in February 2024, Insemi is a company that specializes in semiconductor technology.
• BASE: Acquired in August 2022, BASE is a life science company that provides consulting and implementation services
• oddity: Acquired in April 2022, oddity is a digital agency that focuses on customer experience and digital transformation.

Tata Technologies and BMW Forming JV for Developing Auto Software Including Software-Defined Vehicles (SDV)

The BMW Group and Tata Technologies, a global product engineering and digital services company have announced that they have signed an agreement to form a Joint Venture (JV) with the aim to establish an automotive software and IT development hub in Pune, Bengaluru and Chennai, India. The execution of the JV agreement is subject to review and approval by the relevant authorities.

The main development and operations activities shall be established at Bengaluru and Pune. In Chennai, the focus shall be on business IT solutions.

Embodying the ethos of ‘engineer in India for the world’, the JV will leverage Tata Technologies’ digital engineering expertise and talent pool in India to contribute to the BMW Group’s strategic expansion of software coding capabilities across global IT hubs and 24/7 operations.

The JV will focus on strategic software development, including solutions for software-defined vehicles (SDV). In automotive software, the focus will be on automated driving, infotainment, and digital services. In business IT, the emphasis will be on digitalization and automation of product development, production and sales. From the inception of this JV, 100 trained and experienced Tata Technologies professionals will ensure robust and immediate contributions to software projects. The JV is likely to grow quickly to a four-digit number in the following years.

Of late, the automotive industry has seen various collaborations aimed at enhancing technological advancements and business strategies. For instance, collaborations often focus on key areas such as software development for autonomous driving, infotainment systems, and digital services. These partnerships leverage the strengths of different companies to accelerate innovation and meet the rapidly evolving demands of the market.

One notable example is the collaboration between General Motors and LG Electronics, where they have joined forces to develop electric vehicles. Another example is the alliance between Ford and Google, aiming to reinvent the connected vehicle experience through Team Upshift, which focuses on data-driven opportunities.

Commenting on the BMW-Tata collaboration, Warren Harris, CEO and MD of Tata Technologies, said, “Our collaboration with the BMW Group demonstrates our commitment to providing top-tier solutions in automotive software and digital engineering to customers across the world. Aligned with our vision of engineering a better world, we’re excited to bring our expertise to the forefront, aiding BMW Group in engineering premium products, delivering great digital experiences for their customers and propelling its digital transformation journey in Business IT.”

Nachiket Paranjpe, President of Automotive Sales, at Tata Technologies, commented “In the evolving automotive landscape, the journey towards software-defined vehicle represents a pivotal shift in automotive software and vehicle development methodologies. We will leverage our deep domain knowledge and SDV expertise to collaborate with the BMW Group towards engineering vehicles that are not just technologically advanced but deliver exceptional experiences to consumers around the globe.”

Christoph Grote, Senior Vice President of Software and E/E Architecture commented: “Our collaboration with Tata Technologies will accelerate our progress in the field of the software-defined vehicle. In international comparison, India boasts a large number of talents with outstanding software skills, who can contribute to our software competence. Developing vehicle software for the BMW Group means working with top-class processes and tools, which in turn gives Indian software engineers the chance to shape state-of-the-art, premium automotive experiences in future fields such as highly automated driving and artificial intelligence.”

“The expansion of international DevOps hubs has clearly proved to be a successful model for the BMW Group. I am therefore extremely pleased that we have found a strong and valued technology partner with Tata Technologies and are now also expanding our footprint in India,” said Alexander Buresch, CIO, and Senior Vice President of BMW Group IT.