Japanese automakers Honda and Nissan are preparing to jointly develop a new operating system that will power their next generation of software-defined vehicles (SDVs). The initiative is part of both companies’ efforts to reduce development costs and accelerate the introduction of advanced digital technologies as competition intensifies from Tesla and rapidly expanding Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers.
The new platform will be based on Nissan’s software architecture and is expected to manage many of the vehicle’s core functions, including advanced driver assistance systems, autonomous driving features, infotainment, connectivity and overall vehicle control. The system will also support over-the-air software updates, allowing new features and security improvements to be installed remotely throughout the vehicle’s lifetime.
In addition to developing a shared operating system, Honda and Nissan are discussing the standardisation of electronic control units (ECUs), often described as the “brains” of modern vehicles. A common electronic architecture would simplify production, shorten development cycles and make future software integration significantly more efficient.
Although merger discussions between the two companies ended earlier this year without an agreement, Honda and Nissan continue to expand their technological cooperation. A formal agreement on the joint operating system is expected to be signed in August, marking another step toward the development of smarter, more connected and continuously updatable vehicles.
