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Saying goodbye to hardware constraints with a software-defined vehicle It's time for our lead software engineer Kyriakos Kapetis to share a few. "A vehicle should not be limited by hardware. Software keeps it modern with constant updates." What is a software-defined vehicle (SDV)? We’ve been hearing the term software-defined vehicle (SDV) in the automotive manufacturers world over the last decade. In this article, we’re breaking down what it really means and how we apply it to the Squad Solar City Car. Software everywhere For many decades, most functions in cars were controlled by hardware components, such as switches and relays. For example, a mechanical control point such as a light switch, would turn on the lights by electromechanically activating a relay for each light setting. Such a system meant that changes or updates were mostly made to the hardware only, and little was done to the electronics. As vehicles became more complex and incorporated new features like anti-lock braking (ABS), and advanced safety systems, they required more electronics. This made the hardware-heavy approach inefficient and outdated, and paved the way for replacing direct hardware controls with centralized, programmable Vehicle Control Units, or VCUs. As software, rather than fixed hardware, increasingly managed the core of the vehicle, the industry transitioned to what we now call Software-Defined Vehicles, SDVs. What are the benefits of a software-defined vehicle? Read more on our website: www.squadmobility.com/blog/squad-m... Also, in case you haven't heard... Our crowdfunding campaign in on Republic Europe. Now's your chance to be part of a change in urban mobility and take advantage of this powerful momentum. Have a look! europe.republic.com/squad-mobility.