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Insights · Executive conversations · Perspective · 4 min

SDVs as part of reliable distributed systems

Explore Joerg Seitter's vision for the future of automotive innovation, where software-defined vehicles, infrastructure-assisted driving, and cross-disciplinary collaboration redefine the industry.

By Oliver VielPublished 28 April 2025
Jörg Seitter
Software Excellence Network · Master class · 22 September 2022
Jörg Seitter · Head of Advanced Engineering, ETAS
“The Software-Defined Vehicle as Part of Reliable Distributed Systems”
Automotive Software Factory — Learning Curves · Hasso Plattner Institute, Potsdam · Article published 28 April 2025
Event page →

At the Learning Curves event, Joerg Seitter, Head of Advance Engineering at ETAS, shared a masterclass that was both deeply personal and profoundly visionary. Drawing from his unique career path and extensive experience, Seitter illuminated the challenges and opportunities in transitioning to software-defined vehicles (SDVs). His talk underscored the importance of convergence—between technologies, industries, and mindsets—as the key to unlocking the automotive industry's future.

The legacy of hardware-defined systems

For decades, automotive innovation has been constrained by a hardware-centric development model. Seitter described how manufacturers have traditionally relied on a “divide-and-conquer” strategy: breaking down complex systems into manageable components and coordinating these parts through mechanical and digital interfaces.

While this approach has delivered reliable vehicles, it has also created a rigid, distributed architecture that lacks the flexibility required for modern, software-centric innovation.

We are heading toward a new era where features are defined by software, as Seitter explained. However, achieving this vision requires a fundamental shift in how vehicles are designed and built.

The challenges of transitioning to software-defined vehicles

The move to software-defined vehicles is not as simple as applying IT solutions to automotive challenges. Seitter emphasized the unique constraints of vehicles as cyber-physical systems—starting with their safety-critical nature.

In the second half of his presentation, Seitter painted a vivid picture of the future, where vehicles are integrated into broader ecosystems of mobility, infrastructure, and energy.

Article excerpt: introduction, the first section and the opening of the second.

Article excerpt. The talk, recording, slides and the gathering below are documented from the Network’s event page.

From the gathering · Automotive Software Factory — Learning Curves
In the room · speakers and panelists
22 September 2022 · Hasso Plattner Institute, PotsdamTen recordings and nine slide decksSpeakers from Continental, Bosch, Audi Business Innovation, T-Systems, DRÄXLMAIER, ETAS and Tencent
Dr. Johannes Bohnet
Dr. Johannes Bohnet
CEO & Founder, Seerene
Ole Harms
Ole Harms
CEO, VAIVA GmbH
Prof. Dr. Jürgen Döllner
Prof. Dr. Jürgen Döllner
AI Lab for IT-Systems Engineering, HPI
Dr. Matthias Burger
Dr. Matthias Burger
Cross-Domain Computing Solutions, Bosch
Jean-François Tarabbia
Jean-François Tarabbia
EVP, Continental
Andreas Sicheneder
Andreas Sicheneder
CEO, Audi Business Innovation
Oliver Bahns
Oliver Bahns
SVP Connected Mobility, T-Systems
Felix Meyer zu Driehausen
Felix Meyer zu Driehausen
Cross-Domain Computing Solutions, Bosch
Ralf Schmidt
Ralf Schmidt
Managing Director, DRÄXLMAIER
Jörg Seitter
Jörg Seitter
Head of Advanced Engineering, ETAS
Leo Shiwei Li
Leo Shiwei Li
President of European Region, Tencent
Impressions

Documentation and photographs from the Network’s event page, shown with the consent of the people pictured. Full event page →

SDVs as part of reliable distributed systems

Perspective · 4 min · Oliver Viel · 2025-04-28

Explore Joerg Seitter's vision for the future of automotive innovation, where software-defined vehicles, infrastructure-assisted driving, and cross-disciplinary collaboration redefine the industry.

At the Learning Curves event, Joerg Seitter, Head of Advance Engineering at ETAS, shared a masterclass that was both deeply personal and profoundly visionary. Drawing from his unique career path and extensive experience, Seitter illuminated the challenges and opportunities in transitioning to software-defined vehicles (SDVs). His talk underscored the importance of convergence—between technologies, industries, and mindsets—as the key to unlocking the automotive industry's future.

The legacy of hardware-defined systems

For decades, automotive innovation has been constrained by a hardware-centric development model. Seitter described how manufacturers have traditionally relied on a “divide-and-conquer” strategy: breaking down complex systems into manageable components and coordinating these parts through mechanical and digital interfaces.

While this approach has delivered reliable vehicles, it has also created a rigid, distributed architecture that lacks the flexibility required for modern, software-centric innovation.

We are heading toward a new era where features are defined by software, as Seitter explained. However, achieving this vision requires a fundamental shift in how vehicles are designed and built.

The challenges of transitioning to software-defined vehicles

The move to software-defined vehicles is not as simple as applying IT solutions to automotive challenges. Seitter emphasized the unique constraints of vehicles as cyber-physical systems—starting with their safety-critical nature.

In the second half of his presentation, Seitter painted a vivid picture of the future, where vehicles are integrated into broader ecosystems of mobility, infrastructure, and energy.

Article excerpt: introduction, the first section and the opening of the second.

From the gathering

Automotive Software Factory — Learning Curves · 22 September 2022 · Hasso Plattner Institute, Potsdam

Event page: Automotive Software Factory — Learning Curves

The Software-Defined Vehicle as Part of Reliable Distributed Systems

Jörg Seitter · Head of Advanced Engineering, ETAS

Recording on YouTube

Slides (PDF)

Speakers and panelists