Top 10 Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV) Projects You Should Know About
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Top 10 Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV) Projects You Should Know About

Posted on by Chetan Shidling

Hello guys, welcome back to my blog. In this article, I will discuss the top 10 software-defined vehicle (SDV) projects you should know about, and it’s key highlights.

Ask questions if you have any electrical,  electronics, or computer science doubts. You can also catch me on Instagram – CS Electrical & Electronics

Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV) Projects

The automotive industry is undergoing a revolution, where mechanical engineering meets cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and software engineering. The result? Software-Defined Vehicles (SDVs) — intelligent, connected machines that can be upgraded, personalized, and controlled via code.

From OTA updates and virtual ECUs to centralized compute platforms and AI-driven autonomy, SDVs are shaping the future of personal and commercial mobility. Below are the top 10 SDV projects from OEMs, tech companies, and open-source communities that are pioneering this transformation.

01. GM Ultifi Platform

Key Highlights:

  • Linux-based SDV architecture.
  • An app store-like platform for in-vehicle services.
  • OTA software delivery and upgrades.
  • Developer SDK and APIs for third-party integration.

General Motors’ Ultifi platform transforms GM vehicles into customizable software platforms. Ultifi is built on a Linux architecture that separates application-level code from the underlying hardware. This enables rapid deployment of updates, security patches, and entirely new features, sent wirelessly via OTA

With Ultifi, drivers can subscribe to and download features such as enhanced ADAS, remote diagnostics, or smart climate control — similar to how users interact with app stores on smartphones. GM also plans to open its ecosystem to third-party developers, further expanding vehicle capabilities.

The flexibility and scalability of Ultifi enable GM to reduce time-to-market, improve safety, and monetize vehicles even after delivery, making it a pillar of its digital transformation strategy.

02. Bosch SDV Middleware Platform

Key Highlights:

  • Middleware abstraction for SDV development.
  • Virtual ECU (vECU) support.
  • Cross-brand and cross-domain compatibility.
  • Cloud-based software testing and validation.

Bosch is taking a middleware-first approach to SDVs. Its solution provides a communication and abstraction layer between vehicle hardware and application software, simplifying development and enabling independent evolution of each layer.

The middleware supports virtual ECUs, allowing simulation and testing of software modules before deployment — drastically reducing development cycles and costs. It also facilitates remote diagnostics and OTA capabilities across various OEMs and models.

Bosch’s approach is designed to ensure modularity, reusability, and scalability, critical for long-term SDV sustainability in multi-vendor ecosystems.

03. COVESA (Connected Vehicle Systems Alliance)

Key Highlights:

  • Industry-standard Vehicle Signal Specification (VSS).
  • Vehicle API (VAPI) for consistent data access.
  • Community-driven open-source development.
  • Promotes cross-brand interoperability.

COVESA focuses on building an open-source ecosystem for SDVs by standardizing vehicle data models and communication interfaces. Their VSS (Vehicle Signal Specification) ensures that all vehicle signals (e.g., speed, fuel level, GPS) follow a consistent structure, which makes software portable across different brands.

Through their Vehicle API, developers can build applications that work on any VSS-compliant vehicle, removing the need for custom integrations per OEM. This saves time and encourages rapid innovation from third-party developers.

COVESA’s project plays a foundational role in democratizing SDV software, enabling ecosystem-level collaboration that accelerates time-to-market and reduces costs.

04. Eclipse SDV Working Group

Key Highlights:

  • Projects include Eclipse Kuksa, Velocitas, and Chariott.
  • Enables cloud-native and edge vehicle applications.
  • Open-source digital twin and simulation tools.
  • Community-backed by major OEMs and tech firms.

The Eclipse SDV Working Group is an open-source initiative developing building blocks for SDVs. Their tools — including Kuksa for in-vehicle connectivity, Velocitas for app orchestration, and Chariott for middleware — allow developers to rapidly prototype, deploy, and manage software-defined functionality.

This open-source stack supports cloud-native development, enabling containerized applications to be deployed directly into vehicles. Their digital twin frameworks further allow virtual prototyping and testing, making the development process faster and safer.

Supported by Bosch, Microsoft, and others, Eclipse SDV is becoming a central hub for collaborative SDV R&D.

05. NVIDIA DRIVE Hyperion

Key Highlights:

  • End-to-end SDV hardware-software platform.
  • Built on Orin SoC with powerful GPU compute.
  • Integration with Omniverse for simulation.
  • Supports L2–L5 autonomous features.

NVIDIA’s DRIVE Hyperion is a complete SDV and autonomous driving platform that bundles hardware (Orin processors, sensors) with software stacks like DRIVE OS and DRIVE AV. It supports multiple levels of autonomy, from assisted to full self-driving.

A standout feature is its integration with Omniverse, NVIDIA’s simulation environment, which allows real-world driving scenarios to be tested virtually. This helps OEMs train AI models, test edge cases, and deploy updates with confidence.

With massive computational power and deep AI integration, DRIVE Hyperion is a reference architecture for high-end SDVs of the future.

06. Volkswagen CARIAD

Key Highlights:

  • In-house software platform for all VW Group brands.
  • Building unified operating systems and centralized computers.
  • ADAS, connectivity, and infotainment development.
  • E³ 2.0 platform for software/hardware decoupling.

CARIAD, VW Group’s software unit, is creating a unified platform for all its brands, including Audi and Porsche. This platform centralizes vehicle computing to reduce ECUs and introduces a new software stack for driving, connectivity, and entertainment.

It includes VW’s E³ 2.0 electronic architecture, replacing traditional ECUs with central high-performance computers. OTA updates, third-party app support, and feature subscriptions are all part of this vision.

CARIAD is crucial for Volkswagen’s transformation into a tech-enabled mobility company, aiming to compete head-on with Tesla and Silicon Valley disruptors.

07. Tesla Full Self-Driving (FSD) Stack

Key Highlights:

  • Fully in-house vertical software stack.
  • OTA-enabled AI updates and feature upgrades.
  • Dojo supercomputer for neural net training.
  • Real-world data collection from the entire fleet.

Tesla pioneered the SDV concept with its FSD stack, integrating AI-driven perception, planning, and control into a single software pipeline. Tesla continuously releases OTA updates that improve performance, safety, and autonomy based on real-world fleet data.

A major component is the Dojo supercomputer, designed for rapid training of Tesla’s neural networks using vast volumes of driving data. This allows Tesla to iterate and improve faster than traditional OEMs.

Tesla’s success proves that tight hardware-software integration and real-time fleet learning are powerful differentiators in SDV development.

08. VolvoCars.OS & Core Compute

Key Highlights:

  • Centralized vehicle computing using NVIDIA & Qualcomm.
  • Proprietary VolvoCars.OS platform.
  • Built-in safety-first approach to SDV design.
  • Seamless integration with Android Automotive OS.

Volvo is redesigning its vehicles around central computing and safety-focused software, using SoCs from NVIDIA and Qualcomm to replace traditional ECUs. The in-house VolvoCars.OS controls ADAS, infotainment, connectivity, and more.

The system supports real-time updates and new service deployments without dealer visits. Combined with Google’s Android Automotive OS for infotainment, it creates a hybrid stack for consumer and vehicle management applications.

This SDV approach helps Volvo maintain its reputation for safety while embracing digital innovation for next-gen mobility.

09. Toyota Arene OS (by Woven)

Key Highlights:

  • Modular, service-oriented vehicle operating system.
  • Simulation-first development pipeline.
  • Supports OTA, app stores, and cloud services.
  • Unified stack for Toyota and Lexus vehicles.

Toyota’s Arene OS, developed by its Woven subsidiary, aims to accelerate SDV innovation across all Toyota vehicles. Arene provides a modular OS layer that abstracts vehicle hardware and supports a wide variety of apps, services, and control functions.

Developers can test changes in real-time simulation environments, helping Toyota deploy validated software faster. The OS also ensures compatibility with digital twins, OTA updates, and cloud-based diagnostics.

Arene represents Toyota’s transition to a developer-first mindset, essential for long-term competitiveness in a software-first auto landscape.

10. Aptiv & Hyundai’s Motional Platform

Key Highlights:

  • Joint SDV-autonomous vehicle platform for robotaxis.
  • Integration of AI planning and control stacks.
  • Focus on Level 4 driverless systems.
  • Deployed in ride-hailing pilots (e.g., Las Vegas).

Motional, the joint venture between Aptiv and Hyundai, builds an SDV platform optimized for autonomous ride-hailing. Its system integrates sensor fusion, localization, AI-based perception, and planning algorithms for Level 4 autonomy.

Using Hyundai’s EVs and Aptiv’s autonomous software, the project has already launched pilot programs in cities like Las Vegas. Safety and redundancy are built into every layer, making it one of the most mature robotaxi platforms today.

Motional shows how SDV architecture can be deployed in real-world mobility services, setting the stage for commercial-scale autonomy.

Conclusion: The Road Ahead for SDVs

The SDV revolution isn’t just a tech upgrade — it’s a redefinition of what a car is and what it can do. These 10 projects showcase how different players — from traditional OEMs to AI-driven startups — are reimagining vehicles as software-powered platforms.

From enhanced safety to new business models like feature-as-a-service and robotaxis, SDVs are the foundation of the next generation of mobility.

This was about “Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV) Projects“. Thank you for reading.

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Chetan Shidling

Automotive | Technical Blogger | Engineer | Content Creator

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