As new vehicles with software-defined vehicle functions come to market, they must go through rigorous, government-mandated testing and validation to ensure functionality and safety. The process, called homologation, has long existed for emissions requirements, fuel economy estimates, and EV battery range. It is also mandatory for certain software updates, including over-the-air (OTA) updates for existing vehicles and can be time-consuming and expensive for OEMs due in part to stringent regulatory requirements.

A new approach to lessen the pains of homologation among OEMs in the EU market was recently announced at the 2023 IAA Mobility show in Munich. Seven companies unveiled the formation of a new project team designed to develop a software-based virtual homologation process for extensive OTA vehicle updates. The collaboration between the companies, called Digital Loop, claims to offer significant advantages for vehicle manufacturers and regulatory authorities, saving both time and costs in approvals and maintenance of product conformity throughout a vehicle’s life cycle.

Digital Loop’s goals include reducing risks and complexities in regulatory processes, managing the costs of software development and validation, and reducing process time. To achieve these goals, real-life scenarios are simulated using techniques ensuring the digital environment offers the accuracy and reliability required for testing, validation, and homologation. The virtual simulation environment is a digital image of the real world, based on highly detailed, realistic 3D models of streets, vehicles, pedestrians, weather conditions, and other factors.

Vehicle systems are tested within these simulations and their reactions and decisions are analyzed. Digital Loop is designed to significantly accelerate the homologation process for OTA software updates and to substantially reduce the number of analogous test processes.

Digital Loop is described as a broadly diversified project team that combines areas of expertise from its seven member companies. TÜV SÜD operates as a technical service on behalf of authorities and can thus draw on comprehensive expertise in safety assessments, certification, and homologation. Kontrol supplies knowledge in the field of regulatory compliance in formats including a software-driven compliance platform. FEV.io, an integrated provider of software development services for intelligent and safe mobility, provides worldwide support along the entire value chain of vehicle and system development. dSPACE contributes its expertise in the simulation and validation of autonomous driving functions. Microsoft Germany offers the cloud infrastructure of Microsoft Azure as well as various AI, VR, and cybersecurity technologies and its extensive competencies. T-Systems integrates the building blocks provided by the project partners into a holistic solution and transmits the OTA software updates to the vehicles over the mobile network. Berylls Group delivers strategic advisory services and holistic (process) implementation skills.

“Our mission is to revolutionize the validation and homologation of software updates in software-defined vehicles and shorten the time to market while ensuring the highest safety standards and compliance with legal requirements in operation,” said Alexander Kraus, CTO of TÜV SÜD.

More information about Digital Loop can be found on the organization’s website.