about the client.
A next-gen automotive manufacturer known for its innovative approach to both private and commercial vehicle production. This next-gen automaker is at the forefront of the electric and connected vehicle revolution, with a global presence and a strong focus on delivering cutting-edge technology solutions to enhance the driving experience.
scenario.
The European automaker was in the midst of delivering its first connected car to market. However, the team was looking to complement their skills and extend their team to deal with the extra efforts of integration between electronic control units (ECUs) from multiple Tier 1 suppliers as well as the connectivity of the entire system with the cloud. ECUs are the embedded computers responsible for controlling various electrical systems and vehicle functions. Connected cars incorporate a wide diversity of ECUs dedicated to specific tasks such as managing windows, climate control, braking, engine control, power steering, powertrain and more. In this case, the ECUs in question were for in-vehicle connectivity (IVC) and in-vehicle infotainment (IVI), together with the cloud and mobile application connectivity that would enable a user to control the car’s features.
Unfortunately, due to the constraints and differing levels of readiness of the various ECUs, the automaker was facing difficulty in validating the design of the end-to-end system and integrating the different functionalities. The integration challenges led to significant delays and increased costs, jeopardizing the project’s timeline and market readiness. After a couple of months without finding a solution, the company turned to Randstad Digital to support them by understanding the system and communicating with Tier 1 suppliers on how to align the connected car features.
our approach.
Randstad Digital, in close partnership with the automaker, created a team whose sole purpose was to deal with the complexity of the complete system and drive the stakeholders toward end-to-end service integration. We developed a tailored integration strategy, addressing each supplier’s specific issues.
As part of the optimization process, and to reduce timing for releases, Randstad Digital supported the automaker with automation, enhancing the test coverage and the test framework, as well as with CI/CD for pipeline and build release management The final goal is to automate as much of the testing campaigns as possible.
The initial definition of success was getting the connected car features working together with good results and enhancing the user experience.
After the success of the initial engagement, the automaker expanded Randstad Digital’s role into other activities involving power and performance (PnP) and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). The team also started activities on the ECU development side, including validation of firmware over-the-air (FOTA) features for entire connected car platforms.
benefits.
- 3 months from creating the initial knowledge database to the first common deliverables
- ~30 percent lower costs by taking advantage of near-shoring talent models
- expanded services 10X by scaling services from single-platform integration and testing automation to end-to-end integration and automation for 10+ platforms
- internal teams can focus on software-defined vehicles (SDVs) by transferring the full legacy project’s responsibility to Randstad Digital.
why randstad digital?
- Access to a flexible and scalable source of expertise and solutions can give you the edge in the highly competitive SDV market. Randstad Digital delivers for the automotive industry with:
- deep automotive expertise with end-to-end solutions: More than 30 years of experience in the automotive industry gives us a profound understanding of SDVs, so we can deliver tailored solutions that effectively address your specific needs. A comprehensive approach means we can help fill gaps in expertise at every stage of the SDV development process, from software engineering and cybersecurity to AI and testing and validation.
- global reach and scalability with agile and flexible delivery models: With a presence in 10+ countries and 48+ sites, we have the global reach and scalability to support SDV projects regardless of location. You can choose from project-based solutions and/or dedicated teams that can seamlessly integrate with your workforce.
- proven track record: Randstad Digital has a successful track record of delivering innovative SDV solutions for top automakers and Tier 1 suppliers.