Software-Defined Vehicles (SDVs) and the Automotive Industry

The advent of Software-Defined Vehicles (SDVs) represents a fundamental shift in the automotive industry.

SDVs separate software from hardware, allowing high-level software development on generalized hardware systems. This decoupling provides several benefits: it reduces time and costs associated with hardware production, enhances security through simplif ied software systems, and fosters innovation by enabling realtime software upgrades. One of the most significant advantages of SDVs is the ability to dynamically and flexibly update vehicle software, ensuring ongoing improvements in performance, functionality, and safety.

SDVs are the product of technological convergence, integrating advancements in embedded systems, artif icial intelligence (AI), and cloud computing. This fusion allows vehicles to process vast amounts of data in real-time, enhancing driving capabilities and user experiences. As a result, SDVs are not merely automobiles; they function as mobile computing platforms capable of autonomous decision-making and remote diagnostics.

SDVs address two crucial security concerns:

Human Safety Critical Security: As vehicles are classified as safetycritical systems, eliminating software vulnerabilities is essential. ISO 26262-1:2018 emphasizes that safety is a core issue in vehicle development. This standard helps ensure rigorous safety protocols and the continuous identification and mitigation of software vulnerabilities. Additionally, SDVs’ ability to deploy over-the-air (OTA) updates provides a mechanism to quickly address security threats, reducing the window of exposure to potential cyberattacks.
Intrinsic Software Security: Dynamic software updates allow the identification and resolution of vulnerabilities unknown during initial design. According to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), increasing software complexity can lead to less analyzable programs. SDVs’ capacity for continuous improvement mitigates this risk, contributing to a higher overall standard of security. Moreover, real-time threat monitoring and incident response frameworks become integral to SDV ecosystems, ensuring that vehicles remain resilient against emerging cyber threats.

Effective SDV development requires collaboration across multiple industries— particularly hardware and cloud computing—bringing together software, hardware, and automotive companies to establish new industry-wide standards. This collaborative approach fosters interoperability and ensures consistent safety practices, which are critical as SDVs become more prevalent on public roads. Companies like Toyota and NTT exemplify this cooperative model, working together to create infrastructure that supports SDV deployment while maintaining rigorous safety and performance benchmarks.

ISO 26262-1:2018 Road Vehicle Functional Safety Certification

ISO 26262-1:2018 addresses functional safety requirements for electrical and electronic (E/E) systems in road vehicles. Adapted from the IEC 61508 standard, it covers the entire product lifecycle, including design, implementation, integration, verification, validation, product release, and decommissioning. The standard employs a risk-based approach through the Automotive Safety Integrity Level (ASIL), which evaluates risk based on severity, exposure, and controllability.

The certification process involves an independent audit to verify that risk and hazard analyses are conducted throughout a component’s lifecycle. This is particularly important for Tier 1 suppliers and OEMs, as certification helps reduce safety-related recalls and increase consumer confidence. Given the complexity of modern vehicle systems, ISO 26262 plays a vital role in ensuring systematic risk management. Failure to comply with this standard not only increases safety risks but also exposes manufacturers to legal and financial liabilities.

ISO 26262 also aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, by promoting safer, more innovative automotive systems.

Compliance with this standard supports sustainable industrial growth by ensuring vehicles meet rigorous safety and environmental benchmarks. This is particularly relevant as the automotive industry transitions toward electric and autonomous vehicles, where safetycritical software systems are at the forefront of innovation.

Industry 4.0 in Morocco: Opportunities and Challenges

Morocco is adopting Industry 4.0 principles to enhance its competitiveness and foster economic growth. Industry 4.0, also known as the Fourth Industrial Revolution, emphasizes the integration of digital technologies into manufacturing and production processes. Morocco’s strategy revolves around three major pillars:

Digital Ecosystem and Innovation: Implementing advanced digital tools to streamline industrial processes, such as Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and big data analytics. This enables manufacturers to increase operational efficiency and respond more rapidly to market demands.
Digital Administration: Enhancing public sector efficiency through technology, improving service delivery, and fostering a regulatory environment that supports innovation and foreign investment.
Social Inclusion and Human Development: Ensuring equitable access to technological advances, fostering workforce reskilling programs, and promoting digital literacy to prepare the population for the evolving job market.

Despite these efforts, Morocco remains in the early stages of Industry 4.0 adoption. According to the World Economic Forum’s Readiness for the Future of Production Report (2023), Morocco ranked 73rd out of 100 countries in terms of production readiness.

Notably, it scored 2.2 out of 10 for technological innovation capacity. This indicates that while the country has made strides in embracing digital transformation, substantial gaps remain in research and development capabilities.

Morocco’s automotive sector is closely linked to foreign direct investment (FDI), particularly from global automotive companies that rely on international supply chains. While some suppliers co-locate with manufacturers, many components are imported.

This reliance on international logistics poses challenges, such as supply chain disruptions and increased costs. However, Industry 4.0 transformation between 2020 and 2030 is expected to drive technological adoption, presenting new opportunities for automotive manufacturers to meet advanced production requirements and strengthen local supply chains.

ASPROVA APS: Lean Production and Supply Chain Innovation

ASPROVA Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS) software is a cornerstone of Lean manufacturing and supply chain efficiency. This technology was introduced to Morocco through a strategic partnership between ASPROVA Corporation (Japan) and Kansai International Management Tangier in 2019. The software enables finite capacity planning, synchronizing all processes for waste reduction and improved productivity.

Key features of ASPROVA APS include:

Advanced Planning and Scheduling: Handles up to 5,000 calculations in three seconds, making it the world’s fastest scheduler. This allows manufacturers to respond to changing demands with unparalleled speed and accuracy.
Seamless IT Integration: Compatible with existing IT infrastructures like ERP and MES systems, enabling smooth implementation without disrupting ongoing operations.
End-to-End Supply Chain Management: Connects sales, manufacturing, and purchasing processes to streamline production and reduce lead times, enhancing overall efficiency.

ASPROVA holds a 70% market share in Japan and serves over 3,700 factories worldwide, including Morocco. This system aligns with Toyota Production System (TPS) principles, emphasizing operational efficiency through the elimination of waste (“Muda”) and continuous improvement.

Toyota Production System (TPS) and Lean Manufacturing

Toyota Production System (TPS) is a globally recognized Lean manufacturing framework. Rooted in principles of operational efficiency and waste reduction, TPS was developed in the 1920s by Sakichi Toyoda. It introduced automation with a human touch (“Jidoka”) and the “Just-in-Time” (JIT) system:

Jidoka: Machines automatically detect and stop when defects are identified, ensuring only highquality products advance to the next production stage.
Just-in-Time: Producing only what is needed, when it is needed, and in the amount needed. This reduces waste and optimizes resource use.

ASPROVA complements TPS by synchronizing schedules and optimizing supply chains. It provides accurate production timelines, reducing inventory levels and lead times while ensuring that manufacturing operations align with JIT principles. This synergy between ASPROVA and TPS exemplifies how technology can enhance traditional Lean manufacturing frameworks.

Conclusion

The evolution of SDVs, supported by standards like ISO 26262-1:2018 and Industry 4.0 innovations, is reshaping the global automotive landscape. Morocco’s emerging focus on Industry 4.0, driven by foreign investment and strategic partnerships, positions it as a future hub for advanced manufacturing. ASPROVA APS software, rooted in Toyota’s Lean manufacturing philosophy, enhances operational efficiency and supply chain optimization.

Collaborations like that of Toyota and NTT highlight the industry’s commitment to safety, security, and technological advancement. As these innovations converge, they will continue to shape the future of the automotive industry, driving progress toward safer, more efficient, and environmentally sustainable mobility.