The pace of software development is so fast, that engineers often have to replace complete electronics systems during the vehicle development program, to keep up with latest developments. These are then often quickly superseded by new developments, once the car is on the market.
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To counter this problem Siemens VDO has developed a system that connects automotive hardware and software using standardized interfaces. This allows software to be updated within minutes reducing the need for costly replacement of hardware. The system is called Top Level Architecture (TLA) and is the programming architecture behind BMW’s iDrive.
With TLA built-in computers in vehicles can be updated. New navigation systems can be added, for example.
A new and more powerful version of TLA will come to the market in 2006. German automotive industry newspaper Automobilwoche reports on a demonstration by Siemens VDO, which showed an interface system similar to that of the character recognition system used by Palm pocket computers.
Siemens VDO is clearly not just targeting the European market, reports Automobilwoche. It is currently developing a similar system using Chinese characters.
