IPG Automotive has extended its strategic collaboration with Synopsys, expanding joint virtualization solutions to include the latest systems-on-chip (SoC) and domain controllers. The partnership aims to accelerate software-defined vehicle (SDV) development through high-fidelity digital twins and advanced virtual testing. The next phase of development will be presented at CES 2026 (January 6-9).
As SDVs grow in complexity, traditional validation methods such as hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) setups and physical prototypes are costly and slow. IPG Automotive and Synopsys address these challenges with a fully virtualized workflow that enables rapid, accurate integration and testing of vehicle behaviour, electronics and software long before hardware is available.
Multi-ECU prototype collaboration
The two companies plan to demonstrate an expanded multi-ECU prototype with multi-fidelity, multi-ECU electronics simulation integrating IPG Automotive’s CarMaker and Synopsys’ virtualization technologies via SIL Kit. The prototype aims to accelerate the development of SoC-based electronics and system software, enable rapid, reliable SDV validation, and establish a continuous test strategy that together will help improve software quality, reduce development and post-sale warranty costs, and enable faster time-to-market.
CarMaker provides a virtual vehicle platform for creating digital twins, while Synopsys virtualizes ECUs, SoCs and domain controllers for system integration and validation. Together, the tools enable engineers to work with functional electronics digital twins before physical prototypes or HIL test systems are available, allowing test results to be obtained in hours rather than weeks, and supporting faster software-defined vehicle development cycles.
Both companies recognize the transformative impact of virtualization on SDV development. “The automotive industry is rapidly shifting to software-defined vehicles, and virtualization is a critical enabler for OEMs to make this transformation,” commented Tom De Schutter, senior vice president of product management at Synopsys. “By combining Synopsys’ virtualization solutions that enable electronics digital twins with IPG Automotive’s vehicle and environment simulation capabilities, we are empowering OEMs to validate software earlier in the vehicle development cycle to reduce integration risk, enable a more reliable start of production, and accelerate time-to-market.”
Steffen Schmidt, president and CEO of IPG Automotive, added, “The future of vehicle development is software-driven, and virtualization unlocks that future today. The collaboration delivers a complete digital twin environment to reduce time-to-market and ensure top quality for next-generation mobility.”
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