Modern cars rely heavily on software and have been described as computers on wheels. This development brings challenges. For instance, software problems can seriously disrupt the operation of modern cars. Israeli company Aurora Software is working on a system that helps detect and fix software errors.
Software consists of a large number of lines of code, written by developers to make the application function properly. Due to the amount of code, there are chances of errors being made in this. These errors can lead to all kinds of problems and disrupt the functioning of software.
Remote detection and repair
Aurora Software is working on a system that helps to proactively detect and fix these errors in software code remotely. The system also enables remote updating and validation of software in cars, without the need to interrupt vehicle operation. The system is described by Aurora Software to the Jerusalem Post as a 'self-healing car'.
"The automotive industry is facing its biggest revolution yet," Ori Lederman, the company's co-founder and chief operating officer, told the Jerusalem Post. "The most critical aspect of all this sophistication and software that goes into cars is being able to rely on it before we hand over full autonomy to the vehicle. This poses challenges for car manufacturers."
Preventing recalls
One of these challenges, according to Lederman, is detecting and fixing software problems after vehicles have been sold to customers. If such a problem cannot be fixed remotely, a recall may be required, which involves high costs. Aurora Labs points out that 30% of vehicles that are recalled are never repaired in practice. Aurora Labs' system helps prevent recalls due to software problems.
Modules
The system does this with the help of a number of modules. For instance, the Auto Detect module runs in the background, which helps detect software problems by analysing the behaviour of code. If problems are detected that may interfere with vehicle operation, the Auto Fix module automatically restores the last stable version of the software that did not cause problems. This ensures that users can continue to use the vehicle without problems while the manufacturer searches for a solution to the problem.
A third module is called Auto Update and allows ECUs to be updated remotely, without causing downtime. The Auto Validate module validates code and keeps track of exactly which code has been changed. Among other things, Auto Validate proves that changes to code have not added new functionalities to the vehicle and do not require a new type approval.
Similar to the autoimmune system
Roger Ordman, executive vice president of marketing at Aurora Labs, compares the system to humans' autoimmune system. "Our technology takes a similar approach - it detects that something is going wrong before it leads to catastrophic problems, indicates exactly where the problem is, how to fix it and how to ensure smooth operation," Ordman explains to the Jerusalem Post.
"We believe that like the human body, cars should be able to sense if something is not working properly and fix itself. Self-Healing Software from Aurora Labs enables continuous, reliable and cost-effective deployment of automotive functionalities," the company writes on its website.
Infinite software variations and configurations
"Existing manufacturing facilities face challenges to adapt to the increasing amount of software in cars. Software-based functionalities, mobility services and a changing ownership landscape create an infinite amount of software variations and configurations that need to be programmed on vehicle ECUs within the limited time available on the production line," explains Aurora Labs.
"The increase in software also demands the utmost from testing and presents challenges to fix problems found on the production line. The ability of Aurora Labs's In-Vehicle Software Management solution to update code and configurations in just a fraction of the time taken by regular flashing methods (ed: by which software is placed on the ECU) ensures that software is updated in the time available with minimal strain on the vehicle's battery. The ability to map the location of the software error to a single line of code allows the production manager to identify the cause of the error and speed up the resolution."
Aurora Labs was founded in 2016 and has since raised $11.5 million in investment from investors. The company works with several car manufacturers, including German, Korean, Japanese and US companies.
Author: Wouter Hoeffnagel
