The automotive industry has reached a significant turning point: transitioning from predominantly electromechanical cars to intelligent, adaptive, and continuously upgradable electronic platforms, known as Software-Defined Vehicles (SDV). While hardware used to dominate vehicles in the past, now software shapes their functionality and interaction with the surrounding world.

For over a decade, Sasken has defined, developed, and delivered evolving automotive electrical and electronic technology. In the race towards excellence, the company stands on a solid foundation.

"I would say what sets us apart is our deep-rooted experience in product development. We have been pioneers in connectivity from 2G to the current 5G. Due to our background, we possess invaluable knowledge, making us a reliable partner for industry leaders," says Siddharth Jindal, Director of Business Development at Sasken. 

The automotive industry and its required technology are changing rapidly. Manufacturers are taking more control and developing their own software, aiming to gain more control and understanding of vehicle software. In this context, Sasken can play a crucial role as a supplier of critical SDV components. 

Current vehicles are moving from separate control units to centralized systems with a high-performance computing control unit, especially in digital cockpits and vehicle body controllers. The digital cockpit manages various functions, such as entertainment systems, navigation, windshield display, and rear-seat entertainment, from a unified control center. The vehicle body controller oversees safety, access control, lighting, and driver's personal settings. 

"It is crucial for us to stay at the forefront of development. That's why we recently joined the SOAFEE SIG group, leading the standardization of modular vehicle architectures, enabling the integration of cloud technologies into the functional safety of cars, and meeting real-time requirements," adds Shantanu Das, Senior Architect at Sasken. 

 "Our expertise is both diverse and deep. Firstly, we are experts in telematics, with a specific emphasis on 4G and 5G integration. Another strength is the development of entertainment systems and digital cockpits, especially in Android-based systems. The third strength relates to electronic software in vehicle bodies. Additionally, we excel in digital design for automobiles, ensuring our capabilities in these four key areas," summarizes Jindal. 

By collaborating with leading cloud service providers like Google, AWS, and Microsoft, Sasken is well-equipped to create customized cloud services. 

"Furthermore, we have a unique combination of expertise in connectivity and the automotive industry, supported by a strong team mastering various connectivity technologies such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, NFC, and smartphone mirroring," says Jindal. 

Early adoption and partnership with leading platform providers like Qualcomm have given Sasken a competitive edge. 

"Another strength is end-to-end testing. Internally, we use a testing accelerator called 'KenTest.' This tool facilitates the testing of complex systems end-to-end, ensuring that every component, from the cloud to connectivity, functions optimally," mentions Das. 

Finland has been at the forefront of several technological advancements, and the automotive industry is no exception. With strong traditions in software, technological innovation, and research, the country boasts a robust digital infrastructure, including widespread availability of fast network connections and the transition to 5G – crucial for optimal adaptation of software-based vehicles. 

Finland is not immune to cyberattacks, especially after joining NATO. "At Sasken, we understand stringent cybersecurity requirements. We acknowledge that the increasing complexity of systems poses significant challenges, and we do everything in our power to ensure critical security in all our systems," says Jindal. 

As vehicles increasingly resemble rolling computers, security becomes a key concern requiring careful handling. This is especially true for telematics devices that control numerous applications using various communication channels. Ensuring strong security is a top priority for Sasken, and strict protocols are followed. 

"Our channels are fortified: we have incorporated firewall-type mechanisms into the vehicle network to prevent disruptions between different communication channels. We use Trusted Execution Environment (TEE) to execute operationally essential software, which may be vulnerable, and isolate them from other software," assures Das. 

A common method of cyberattacks involves overwriting existing software. "To counter this, we have developed a secure boot system, ensuring that unauthorized software cannot be installed on the vehicle's Electronic Control Unit (ECU). In external communication, we use Transport Layer Security (TLS), secure connections similar to those used in HTTPS. This ensures that data packets sent from the vehicle are encrypted and unreadable to third parties en route to their destination," explains Das. 

Another security feature prioritizes wireless software updates with a secure Firmware Over-The-Air (FOTA) update system. This includes multiple connections, each responsible for its own security. 

The automotive world is evolving rapidly. As mentioned, vehicles are becoming increasingly dependent on software. From an end-user perspective, one advantage is that regular software updates can extend the vehicle's life cycle – a trend that aligns well with an all-encompassing sustainability paradigm. As seen in Europe, the future of cars is electric. 

"As vehicles adopt high-performance computing systems (HPC), the power demand increases significantly. Electric cars with larger battery capacities are better equipped to handle this change," emphasizes Das. 

Another comprehensive trend is the increasing connectivity, especially with 5G, which is reshaping the future of telematics. Virtual testing and cloud-based vehicle functions are becoming more prevalent, enabling development, and testing in a virtual environment before actual deployment. 

As the automotive industry embraces 5G and connectivity, the development of Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS) and Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) communication promises revolutionary changes. 

"The use of satellite connections in cars is a fascinating trend, considering our high-level expertise in satellite communication. The future is exciting, and we have all the capabilities to leverage new opportunities," concludes Jindal.