Giant Step for Software Developers
Vehicle stability programs, air-conditioning and navigation systems are milestones in automotive safety and comfort. These functions would be unthinkable without electronics and software, yet a growing number of technologies must now be linked together in order to be useful. The solution from Bosch developers: An “open” service platform.
Drivers who purchase a new car today make a decision that will have an impact over the next few years. The extent of the vehicle’s equipment is set at the date of purchase and will not change very much during its lifetime of 10 to 15 years. So, although technical progress will be making leaps and bounds during this period, the car won’t be able to benefit from them. New concepts are needed to enable drivers and automakers to keep up with the rapid development of consumer electronics. The solution Bosch is working on involves the combination of a variety of technologies – from car radio, CD/DVD player and mobile phone all the way to the Internet,
e-mail, and navigation and air-conditioning system – into an integrated network based on a shared software platform. Such a system has a number of advantages:
– The platform is independent of the operating system and the hardware being used. This is achieved with a “middleware” that separates the operating system from the various services or applications. The application programs for the car radio, e-mail and navigation systems, all of which are written in the Java programming language, operate above this software level. This eliminates the need for complicated adjustments to the application software in conjunction with the underlying operating system and processor. As a result, less time and expenses are required for development.
– The individual Java programs (applications) can communicate with one another via predefined software interfaces. This is ensured by an application framework that complies to the OSGi standard. OSGi is an industrial consortium in which Bosch researchers are also involved. The application framework guarantees that an e-mail program or Web browser and a navigation application “understand” each other – e.g. that location coordinates can be transferred from the Internet to the navigation device. The key feature is that the OSGi standard regulates not only the execution of Java programs but also their downloading and installation or deinstallation.
That’s how the software platform makes it possible to add new functions after the vehicle has been bought – to the customer’s advantage. For instance, customers can benefit from a better route algorithm for the navigation system, new mobile office functions, or the latest games. Car manufacturers can perform upgrading activities efficiently and cheaply: For example, drivers will be able to download new functions for sensors or operating software for control devices – without having to set foot in a repair shop. The platform is open for a whole range of new functions and services (including those provided by third party suppliers). Of course, the software must be certified before it can be installed, so that the stability and integrity of the system as a whole is guaranteed. After all, having the whole system crash – an experience all too familiar to PC users – is out of the question when it comes to the comfort and safety features of an automobile.
e-mail, and navigation and air-conditioning system – into an integrated network based on a shared software platform. Such a system has a number of advantages:
– The platform is independent of the operating system and the hardware being used. This is achieved with a “middleware” that separates the operating system from the various services or applications. The application programs for the car radio, e-mail and navigation systems, all of which are written in the Java programming language, operate above this software level. This eliminates the need for complicated adjustments to the application software in conjunction with the underlying operating system and processor. As a result, less time and expenses are required for development.
– The individual Java programs (applications) can communicate with one another via predefined software interfaces. This is ensured by an application framework that complies to the OSGi standard. OSGi is an industrial consortium in which Bosch researchers are also involved. The application framework guarantees that an e-mail program or Web browser and a navigation application “understand” each other – e.g. that location coordinates can be transferred from the Internet to the navigation device. The key feature is that the OSGi standard regulates not only the execution of Java programs but also their downloading and installation or deinstallation.
That’s how the software platform makes it possible to add new functions after the vehicle has been bought – to the customer’s advantage. For instance, customers can benefit from a better route algorithm for the navigation system, new mobile office functions, or the latest games. Car manufacturers can perform upgrading activities efficiently and cheaply: For example, drivers will be able to download new functions for sensors or operating software for control devices – without having to set foot in a repair shop. The platform is open for a whole range of new functions and services (including those provided by third party suppliers). Of course, the software must be certified before it can be installed, so that the stability and integrity of the system as a whole is guaranteed. After all, having the whole system crash – an experience all too familiar to PC users – is out of the question when it comes to the comfort and safety features of an automobile.
The layered system makes applications independent of operating systems.
