Introduction
With the rise in market demand for Software Defined Vehicles, the automobile industry is becoming more and more reliant on complex code-based systems. OTA as a mechanism for updation of these software systems, has enabled software enhancement remotely. By fixing bugs and enhancing the user experience without having to call the vehicle into the service centre, the overall customer servicing has become seamless. However, the complexities and mechanical implications are much deeper.
What is an OTA Update?
OTA updates are software updates for a vehicle, delivered wirelessly. They directly connect to the car’s systems once updated onto the cloud and activate the updates without the vehicle having to visit the service centre.
The mandate earlier was very different. Apart from some high-end infotainment systems, vehicle software would only be updated when the vehicle would visit the service centre. This was often a once-a-year affair and all bugs that were part of that version would stay as an issue till the customer either downgraded or went for servicing a year later.
With the help of cloud-based platforms, the entire industry today is focused on streamlining operations by enhancing the customer experience without the customer having to participate in the service. Some examples of services that are being updated remotely include vehicle diagnostics, energy management and safety features. This is how OTA is spearheading the future of automotive innovation.
OTA can further be divided into 2 versions, SOTA and FOTA.
OTA is further divided into 2 types, Software Over-The-Air (SOTA) and Firmware Over-The-Air (FOTA). They both enable remote updates to software and firmware updates to a vehicle without physical intervention of any kind.
SOTA- Creates and tests update packages via a cloud server. It notifies the vehicle of it’s new update availability, downloads onto the system, installs and finally reboots and verifies to ensure success in implementation.
FOTA- Considered a subset of SOTA it’s updates are relevant to hardware functionalities. The workflow mirrors the SOTA workflow, but is more critical and hence requires additional precautions. FOTA updates enable manufacturers to deploy firmware enhancements, security patches, and bug fixes efficiently, ensuring devices operate optimally and securely.
Benefits of OTA Updates in vehicles today
- Enhanced Vehicle Management- Updates can be deployed regardless of where the vehicle is. This ensures safety measures and bug fixes are done on the fly.
- Better User Experience- When a vehicle is getting updated without the user having to move a muscle, it adds to the streamlined customer experience and trust-building factors. Creating a better vehicle experience with every update ensures the customer stays happy for years to come.
- Reduced Recalls- A lot of software-related issues forced vehicle companies to recall their vehicles or it was too dangerous to drive. With OTA, these updates are done remotely, ensuring customers do not need to send their vehicles back and can continue using them after the remote update.
Technical Aspects of OTA Update Processes
- Firmwares: When it comes to baseline vehicular updates, each vehicle has multiple ECUs. Each ECU has a firmware which is responsible for the functioning of the cars movement and safety features. These features require periodic updates to enhance safety and updated bugs.
- Central Gateway: This is the nucleus of all software related communications. The central gateway facilitates the exchange of data between the cloud and the vehicle software network.
- Telematics Unit: This is the in-built network unit of the vehicle. It houses the cellular chip that helps in managing the internet module of the vehicle.
Key Technologies Behind Secure OTA Updates
- Secure Communication: To prevent unauthorised accesses by hackers, an encrypted channel is paramount to enabling OTA updates.
- Authentication: To prevent tampering, digital signatures must be integrated to ensure updates only from an authorised entity is accepted by the vehicle.
- Delta Updates: To save time and space, only the modified portions of the software is sent as an update.
- Cloud Backend
- A secure cloud setup is able to update software in vehicles from around the world.
Challenges in OTA Implementation
- Connectivity- Seamless access to the network is mission-critical in OTA updates, especially in the more remote areas.
- Compatibility- Software updates in service centres are easier to execute for older vehicles whereas in case of OTAs, compatibility often becomes an issue.
Future Trends & How We Are Leveraging OTA Updates
At Sankey Solutions, our team is providing top players in the automotive sector with secure OTA updates for their fleets. Our priority in addition to efficiency is to ensure these updates are secure.
We combine a trio of blockchain frameworks, zero-trust architecture and AI-powered threat detection. We ensure a tamper-proof ecosystem by using an encrypted delivery channel.
Softwares today controls all critical and leisure functions of vehicles. As updates become more and more critical, waiting for them to visit a servicing station to update isn’t at all safe or convenient. Hence, to ensure life goes on and the vehicle performance and safety can be enhanced on the fly, OTA’s are critical to mobility today.
Popular use cases would be Tesla & Mercedes-Benz. While the former uses OTA to enhance battery management and autopilot capabilities, the latter updates its driver assistance systems, giving the customers better experience without asking them to visit the service centre.