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Automotive Grade Linux Launches SoDeV

Automotive Grade Linux (AGL), a collaborative initiative focused on developing an open-source platform for the connected car space, has introduced SoDeV, a new reference implementation for software-defined vehicles (SDVs). Set to spearhead advancements in automotive technology, this platform enables a software-centric development model that is liberated from hardware dependencies.

The SoDeV initiative is led by a consortium of industry leaders, including Panasonic Automotive Systems and Honda, alongside the AGL SDV Expert Group. It integrates the AGL Unified Code Base (UCB) with a variety of other open-source projects hosted under the auspices of the Linux Foundation. This means that various electronic control units (ECUs) can be consolidated while utilizing hardware abstraction through virtualization techniques, ultimately facilitating cloud connections for the vehicles of the future.

According to Dan Cauchy, Executive Director of AGL, the essence of SoDeV lies in its ability to amalgamate key components needed to construct a contemporary SDV architecture. Up until this advancement, developers faced the daunting task of manual integration of numerous complex systems. Now, with SoDeV, developers are afforded a pre-integrated package that can operate on actual hardware system-on-chip devices or on cloud-based processors.

Kazuo Tsubouchi, Executive Chief Engineer of Honda Motor Co., echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that SoDeV presents a versatile foundation for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to create modern in-vehicle systems. He believes that the platform not only streamlines software consolidation but also enhances the usability and value quotient of vehicles by simplifying software updates across multiple vehicle generations.

Core Features of the AGL SoDeV Reference Platform

• - AGL Unified Code Base (UCB): This serves as the industry-standard Linux-based open-source platform for infotainment, telematics, and instrument cluster functionalities.
• - Linux Containers: Providing a lightweight method to execute applications in isolated environments on a common Linux system, thus allowing multiple vehicle functions to co-operate seamlessly.
• - Unified Human-Machine Interface (HMI): An adaptable multi-display virtualization setup provided by Panasonic Automotive Systems.
• - VirtIO: This serves as a unified interface for device virtualization, encouraging software deployment across a variety of vehicle models independent of their hardware specifications.
• - Xen Hypervisor: A reputable open-source type 1 hypervisor that facilitates efficient software management.
• - Yocto Project: An essential toolkit for developers to assemble a customized Linux version suitable for embedded systems.
• - Zephyr RTOS: A modular, secure real-time operating system project suitable for IoT and embedded functionalities.
• - ELISA Project: A collaborative effort with the Linux Foundation focusing on functional safety aspects for future applications within SoDeV.

Masashige Mizuyama, Panasonic Automotive Systems' Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, accentuated the necessity of open and interoperable answers within the automotive sector. By leveraging a blend of new technologies—like Unified HMI and VirtIO-based virtualization—SoDeV effectively disentangles software implementation from hardware needs, thereby enabling continuous development cycles that are agnostic to hardware availability.

SoDeV is slated to be accessible in early 2026 for virtual settings, cloud-powered processors, and automotive SOCs, marking a significant stride forward. Insights regarding the SoDeV framework will be further delineated at the upcoming Automotive Linux Summit in Tokyo, slated for December 8-10, 2025, where Dan Cauchy will provide a keynote address, and AGL SDV Expert Group members will conduct demos showcasing the technical milestones and avenues for communal engagement.

Automotive Grade Linux stands at the forefront of open-source solutions driving the evolution of software-defined vehicles. By connecting automakers and various tech entities for a unified software ecosystem, AGL propels innovation forward while accelerating the transition to software-centric vehicles, thereby compelling the automotive industry towards a more integrated future.

For further details on SoDeV and how stakeholders can participate in this progressive movement, more information is available through AGL’s platforms.