This technology that Tesla leads and Hyundai Motors is working on… Software over-the-air update

Input 2021.03.09 06:00

Volkswagen recently announced that it plans to apply an over-the-air software update (OTA) to its electric vehicles ID.3 and ID.4 starting this summer. Through this OTA, it is expected that Volkswagen vehicles can expect upgrades from navigation to charging patterns and autonomous driving functions. Volvo also recently unveiled an electric vehicle C40 recharge, announcing the introduction of an OTA.

Global automakers are preparing for the electric vehicle era and are striving to develop OTA. OTA is a technology that updates electronic devices wirelessly rather than wired. Just as a smartphone or laptop automatically updates when a new software version is released, the vehicle also wirelessly updates the internal infotainment system and the electronic controller unit (ECU) such as navigation. In addition, new functions can be added to the vehicle or existing performance can be changed, making it easy to meet different safety standards in different countries.

As autonomous driving functions continue to develop, OTAs are becoming more important. OTA not only improves software, but also upgrades firmware (hardware) such as mileage and acceleration capabilities. Autonomous driving has not been fully established yet, and new versions and functions are continuously coming out. By using OTA, internal parts of vehicles that have already been shipped can be updated to incorporate the latest version of the driving assistance function. Some brands are constantly updating the functions of the digital cockpit (driver’s seat and front passenger seat front area) as well as driving assistance functions such as lane change, overtaking, and speed control through OTA of vehicles that have already been shipped.

One of the reasons Tesla could cause an electric car blast is OTA. Tesla is the only automobile brand that is capable of complete OTA from software to firmware to date. Through real-time OTA, Tesla complements the problems of existing devices and provides new functions regularly, while maintaining the latest version of vehicle marketability. Because of this, Tesla has fewer second-hand sales and the price does not drop sharply.

Tesla has attracted attention several times in the past through its OTA function. In 2018, when a U.S. Consumer Report pointed out that the Tesla Model 3’s braking distance (46.3m) was 6.4m poorer than the average of the luxury compact sedan, two weeks later Tesla reduced the braking distance by 6m through an OTA update. When a hurricane hit Florida in 2017, Tesla lifted the 80% limit on available batteries for local residents’ Tesla vehicles through an OTA.

The OTA of automobiles is much more difficult than other electronic devices such as smartphones because various ECUs such as motors, batteries, braking and steering devices must be integrated. In addition, the safety of automobiles is directly related to life, so there should not be any errors in any of the numerous parts after a security problem such as hacking occurs in the communication system or after the update. In the case of a car, it is necessary to reliably download large-capacity data even in a driving situation, so it is more difficult to apply OTA than other devices that are easy to turn off and turn on.

In Korea, the electronic control device software update corresponds to the automobile maintenance business, and to update the software, it was necessary to visit a repair shop or download the software to a USB memory or SD card and connect it to the car. However, in June of last year, a consultation with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy included OTA services in a private sandbox. Hyundai Motor (005380)For the Group and Renault Samsung Motors, a legal basis for vehicle OTA has been established. GM Korea Department Ssangyong Motor (003620)Did not apply for the sandbox.

Automakers preparing for future cars are working hard to advance OTAs. Ford began offering OTA to the Mustang Mach-E, which was launched in January of this year, and Toyota and Nissan plan to release Lexus LS and Aria respectively equipped with OTA function within this year. General Motors of the United States (GM) announced that it will install OTA on all models by 2023, and Daimler Group, including Mercedes-Benz, announced that it will install the next-generation OTA on autonomous vehicles launched in 2024.

Hyundai Motor Company also announced that it will add OTA functions from this year through CEO Investment Day at the end of last year, but it has not yet been implemented. Ioniq 5, which was released recently, attracted attention as to whether an improved OTA will be installed, but it was only at the level of wireless navigation updates. A Hyundai Motor Company official said, “From this year, we plan to add the OTA update function to the level 2 level partial autonomous driving technology and apply the level 3 level partial autonomous driving technology to mass-produced vehicles from 2022.”