Judy Curran, CTO of automotive at Synopsys and former Ford exec, discusses how shared virtual testing environments are helping reduce recalls and speed up software development
The software-defined vehicle is often portrayed as the future of motoring – a fully connected, endlessly updatable car, akin to a smartphone on wheels. In practice, however, the path to this vision is far from smooth. While European consumers continue to spend a growing portion of their digital lives on mobile apps, over-the-air updates in vehicles face unique challenges that make this scale of agility much harder to achieve. Unlike smartphones, automotive software must meet stringent safety standards, integrate with complex hardware and operate reliably under extreme conditions, challenges that are only now being addressed through innovation in testing and integration.
Why car updates are harder than phone updates
Modern vehicles are complex ecosystems of hardware and software from multiple suppliers, all bound by strict safety regulations. A software patch on a phone may affect only the user interface or a single app, whereas in a car, an update can influence braking, steering or airbag systems. This makes verification and validation far more critical, and time consuming.
Temperature management further complicates matters. Chips in vehicles often operate in extreme conditions, from the freezing Scottish Highlands to the heat of the southeast on summer roads. Unlike phones, these processors cannot easily be replaced if a software error causes overheating. Even minor inefficiencies can cascade into significant safety and reliability concerns.
Chokepoints in the supply chain
Another major hurdle lies in supplier integration. Cars today incorporate software and hardware from dozens of Tier 1 and 2 suppliers. Aligning release schedules, ensuring compatibility and resolving bugs across these suppliers can introduce delays measured in months rather than hours.
Additionally, the physical nature of automotive components imposes constraints that mobile devices do not face. Chips must fit within existing space, adhere to strict thermal limits and interface reliably with legacy systems. Any redesign or recall is exponentially more costly than a simple app patch, making careful pre-release testing essential.
Virtual testing: a game changer
To overcome these challenges, the industry is increasingly turning to shared virtual testing environments. By simulating vehicles and their subsystems in a digital space, engineers can detect issues that might otherwise emerge only after production. This approach reduces recalls and accelerates software deployment without compromising safety.
UK OEMs and suppliers have begun leveraging these tools to streamline development. For instance, virtual prototypes are enabling engineers in Coventry and Birmingham to test hundreds of scenarios simultaneously, eliminating bottlenecks created by limited physical prototypes. This collaborative, digital-first approach not only shortens development cycles but also provides regulators with verifiable evidence that updates meet safety standards.
Looking forward
The software defined vehicle remains an ambitious goal, but it is increasingly within reach. Integrated customer features that involve multiple hardware sensors/actuators, electronic modules, stringent regulations and operational parameters can now be virtually validated as part of the design process. Virtual design and validation saves a tremendous amount of time and engineering cost, which is driving a design revolution across automotive as well as other industries. For the UK market, where, according to Reuters, new car sales reached 1.95 million units in 2024, the impact is already tangible. Faster, safer updates mean vehicles can remain cutting-edge throughout their lifecycle, enhancing both consumer satisfaction and road safety.
In related news, Software test specialists Solid Sands and Plum Hall team-up
