Foxconn enters into partnership with global auto software vendor

Foxconn, a division of Hon Hai Technology Group in Taiwan, has entered into a joint development agreement with a German-based company to develop a flexible and AI-centric software platform for electric vehicles.

Foxconn, the world's largest electronics provider and owner of the former General Motors Assembly Plant in Lordstown, announced a working relationship with Elektrobit to focus on software-defined electric vehicles (SDVs) for driving automation, diagnostics, performance and infotainment.

The partnership goal is to create an upgradeable software platform for electric vehicles, known as EVs.OS.

Elektrobit, a global vendor that works on software products and services for the automotive industry, has offices in Germany, Austria, Finland, France, Romania, China, Korea, India, Japan and the U.S., says the concept for SDVs will not be based on hardware, but software, which will allow the EVs to offer new features and functions without buying a new vehicle, but through software updates, much in the same concept as updating your smart phone or computer.

According to Elektrobit's website, the software service company has worked with General Motors, Ford, Daimler, BMW, Volkswagen Group and Volvo. 

21 News reached out to Elektrobit to learn more about the agreement and what a software-defined EV is.

An Elektobit spokesperson told 21 News that "SDVs have centralized, flexible computing systems that make this possible for cars. When automakers release new features or fix security vulnerabilities, it happens seamlessly over-the-air (OTA). No trips to the service center required."

Elektrobit also stated that the Artificial Intelligence-centric approach is based on the operating system that both companies will jointly develop. 

Foxconn and Elektrobit are working to develop a vehicle platform that "carmakers can easily adopt to bring new SDVs to the market."

"Our collaboration with Foxconn is another milestone in the evolution of software-defined vehicles,” said Maria Anhalt, CEO of Elektrobit. “By combining Elektrobit’s automotive software expertise with Foxconn’s manufacturing and hardware innovation, we are creating a scalable platform that reduces complexity, shortens development cycles and supports future mobility business models.”

Both Elektrobit and Foxconn have facilities worldwide, including Foxconn's Ohio facility in Lordstown and Elektrobit's US office, located in a suburb of Detroit.

According to Elektrobit, the software to be built in conjunction with Foxconn will provide "the functionality for the advanced computer systems that will become the 'backbone' of the vehicles. Elektrobit software simplifies complexity and therefore makes it faster and easier to bring cars to market—but just as importantly for SDVs—it also makes it faster and easier to bring new functions to these cars when they are already on the road."

The Elektrobit spokesperson stated that no decisions have been made regarding which markets the software will be made available in at this time.