SANO: Subaru said on Sunday it plans to launch software-defined vehicles (SDVs) in the second half of this decade and cut vehicle development times by about 40% as it seeks to speed up model launches.
Subaru will gradually deploy a newly developed integrated electronic control unit (ECU) across its lineup, the Japanese automaker said at a strategy briefing at a research centre in Sano City, north of Tokyo.
Subaru aims to shorten development times by using digital simulations in prototyping and running design, testing and production preparation in parallel, it said.
The company said it aims to give its SDVs over-the-air updates for driver-assistance, automated-driving and vehicle performance functions.
Asian stocks slip, Wall St and bonds benefit from oil skid
Subaru jointly developed the chip at the core of the integrated ECU with US chipmaker Advanced Micro Devices, it said.
The company plans to standardise electronic platforms across electric, hybrid and gasoline-powered vehicles, it said.
Subaru said it has no plans at present to adopt Toyota’s Arene software platform, despite Toyota’s 21% stake in the company.
Toyota said on Friday it expects Arene to be deployed in 10 million new vehicles annually by 2030 and expanded to alliance partners’ vehicles by 2035.