Automotive industry grouping the eSync Alliance, which aims to drive OTA development and adoption, and the Autoware Foundation, a non-profit that encourages development of open-source self driving software, have formed a joint work group to explore how over-the-air (OTA) updates and data gathering can best be integrated into the software stack for the next generation of autonomous vehicles using on eSync’s bi-directional data pipeline.

The eSync software platform is designed to provide a secure, bi-directional data path between the cloud and any number of electronic end devices inside a vehicle. It works across multiple operating systems and networks/busses to reach ECUs and smart sensors in the car, to provide both OTA software updates, and to handle data gathering.

“OTA updates and data gathering can accelerate autonomous vehicle software stack development, creating highly efficient learning loops, that enable rapid incorporation of real-time vehicle data for the improvement of in-car software,” said Mike Gardner, Executive Director at the eSync Alliance. “The integration of a standardised OTA platform such as eSync, into Autoware’s open-source autonomous vehicle software provides significant benefits to developers and end customers alike.”

“Autoware’s open-source software is becoming a key building block in the development of autonomous driving. It is amazing how well the objectives and structure of the eSync Alliance align with what the Autoware Foundation brings to the table,” said Shinpei Kato, Chairman, Board of Directors of the Autoware Foundation. “We believe that this fits well with our recent announcement of the Autoware Open AD Kit.  Disciplined standardisation across the software stack enables autonomous vehicle developers to quickly and efficiently build on the accumulated body of knowledge of the entire sector. “