Korea Drives Towards “Rideable Smartphone” Future with New Software Standardization Initiative
A new public-private partnership has been established in South Korea to standardize software-defined vehicles (sdvs), aiming to bolster the nation’s automotive industry as it shifts towards a future where cars function more like adaptable, software-driven platforms.The initiative recognizes SDVs - vehicles controlled and managed through software – as the core of the future automobile industry, evolving beyond simple transportation into “smart platforms” capable of app installation and over-the-air updates, much like smartphones.
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy’s National Agency for Technology and Standards announced the formation of the ‘SDV Standardization Council’ on March 7th. The council brings together key domestic players including Hyundai Motor, Samsung Electronics, and LG Electronics.
The move comes as the global automotive industry increasingly focuses on the commercialization of SDVs. Hyundai Motor Company’s Forty2Dot subsidiary, for example, unveiled its Pleos operating system (OS) in April, signaling a commitment to an open ecosystem for SDV development.
Recognizing the collaborative nature of the SDV industry – involving automakers, parts suppliers, and IT companies – the council emphasizes the necessity of standardization for data and interfaces to facilitate the integration of diverse components and software.
The SDV Standardization Council is chaired by Song Chang-hyeon,president of Hyundai Motor Company’s AVP headquarters. The Korean Standards Association will serve as the secretariat, coordinating the efforts of the 65 companies and 6 research institutes participating, including KT, Naver, Hyundai Mobis, HL Mando, KG Mobility, Hyundai AutoEver, and LG Innotek.
A key strategy will be leveraging Korea’s existing IT strengths to expand both the automotive and IT ecosystems. The council’s four standardization divisions aim to complete the development of critical standards - including SDV API, architecture, and data standards – by the end of 2025.
“SDV is an essential technology for our automobile industry to secure enduring competitiveness in the global market,” stated Kim dae-ja, director of the National Standards Institute. “The National Institute of Standards and Technology will promptly respond to the industry’s demands for standardization and serve as a catalyst for securing competitiveness in the high-tech industry.”
