iSOFT Advances Global Automotive Software Development with AUTOSAR CAPI Contribution
The automotive industry is undergoing one of the most significant transformations in its history as vehicles become increasingly software-defined, connected, and intelligent. As automakers race to deliver advanced driver assistance systems, autonomous driving capabilities, over-the-air updates, and connected services, the need for standardized and efficient software development platforms has become more critical than ever. Against this backdrop, iSOFT Infrastructure Software Co., Ltd. (iSOFT) has achieved a major milestone by contributing its self-developed intelligent driving operating system as the global code baseline for AUTOSAR’s Common Adaptive Platform Implementation (CAPI).
The announcement was made during the 17th AUTOSAR Open Conference (AOC) held in Shanghai, a gathering that brought together industry leaders, software developers, semiconductor companies, suppliers, and automotive manufacturers to discuss the future of automotive software. The move is widely viewed as a significant advancement for the global automotive software ecosystem and a notable recognition of China’s growing influence in shaping international automotive technology standards.
A New Era for Automotive Software Development
Traditionally, the automotive industry has relied on a standards-first approach, where specifications are defined before implementation begins. While this method has enabled consistency and interoperability across the industry, the increasing complexity and pace of innovation in intelligent vehicles have exposed limitations in the traditional model.
According to Liu Hongqian, General Manager of iSOFT, the adoption of CAPI represents a fundamental shift in how automotive software standards are developed and implemented.
He described the initiative as a transition from a “standard-first” model to a “code-first” approach, reflecting the changing needs of the intelligent connected vehicle era. Instead of waiting for specifications to be finalized before software implementation begins, developers can now work from a shared codebase that evolves alongside industry requirements.
This approach is particularly valuable in the software-defined vehicle environment, where development cycles are becoming shorter and manufacturers must continuously update vehicle functionality throughout the product lifecycle.
Liu emphasized that open-source development offers tremendous opportunities for collaboration but must also satisfy the stringent requirements of the automotive industry, including safety, reliability, security, and performance. Automotive software systems operate in mission-critical environments where failures can have significant consequences, making quality assurance a top priority.
Building on a Legacy of Open-Source Innovation
The CAPI contribution builds upon iSOFT’s previous efforts to promote open-source innovation within the automotive sector. The company was among the first organizations to open-source EasyXMen, demonstrating its commitment to fostering collaborative software development while maintaining automotive-grade standards.
Through its participation in CAPI, iSOFT aims to further strengthen the global automotive software ecosystem by providing a common platform that enables developers, suppliers, and automakers to collaborate more efficiently.
One of the most notable aspects of the initiative is that it represents the first international code standard baseline contributed by a Chinese enterprise to AUTOSAR. This achievement highlights the growing technical capabilities of Chinese software companies and reflects the increasing role China plays in defining the future of intelligent mobility.
By establishing a common codebase for development, CAPI can significantly reduce adaptation and integration costs across the automotive supply chain. Instead of repeatedly developing similar foundational software components, companies can focus resources on innovation and differentiation at higher software layers.
AUTOSAR’s Vision for Global Collaboration
AUTOSAR, which stands for Automotive Open System Architecture, has become one of the most influential organizations in automotive software standardization. Its standards are used by automakers and suppliers worldwide to ensure interoperability, portability, and scalability across vehicle platforms.
Joachim Langenwalter, an AUTOSAR spokesperson, highlighted the strategic importance of China’s contribution to the initiative. He noted that China’s position as the world’s largest automotive market, producing and selling approximately 30 million vehicles annually, makes it a major force in shaping industry trends and technology development.
According to Langenwalter, automotive stakeholders around the world are closely monitoring innovations emerging from China, particularly in areas such as electric vehicles, intelligent driving systems, connectivity, and software platforms.
He praised iSOFT’s ability to leverage what is often referred to as “China speed” to establish the foundation for CAPI. This rapid development capability enables specifications and implementation code to evolve simultaneously, creating a much shorter feedback cycle between developers and standards organizations.
Such synchronization can improve efficiency and ensure that standards remain relevant as technologies continue to advance. Rather than treating specifications and implementation as separate processes, the code-first model allows real-world experience to directly inform standard development.
Langenwalter also emphasized that AUTOSAR is fundamentally a global initiative that transcends geopolitical boundaries. The goal is to create a unified software foundation that can be adopted and utilized worldwide regardless of regional differences.
The shared codebase established through CAPI is expected to support developers and organizations across multiple markets, reinforcing the collaborative spirit that underpins the AUTOSAR ecosystem.
Strengthening Industry Partnerships
The significance of CAPI extends beyond software standardization. It also reflects a growing trend toward deeper collaboration among software companies, semiconductor manufacturers, and automotive OEMs.
Patrick Will, Head of Software Product Marketing and Management at Infineon, highlighted how open-source development is reshaping the automotive software landscape. He noted that both industry practices and organizational mindsets are evolving as software becomes increasingly central to vehicle functionality.
Infineon and iSOFT share a common objective of simplifying software development processes and reducing barriers that can slow innovation. This alignment has resulted in the development of integrated solutions designed to accelerate project deployment and improve efficiency.
One example is the DRIVECORE platform, which combines iSOFT middleware with Infineon’s hardware and software technologies. By integrating multiple layers of the software stack, the platform enables customers to begin development more quickly and avoid many of the licensing and compatibility challenges that have historically complicated automotive software projects.
Will emphasized that regional development strategies such as “China-for-China” are becoming increasingly important as automotive markets evolve. However, he also stressed the value of maintaining global cooperation and knowledge sharing.
In an industry characterized by complex supply chains and international partnerships, collaboration remains essential for advancing technology and delivering innovative solutions to customers worldwide.
Benefits for Automotive Manufacturers
For automotive manufacturers, the emergence of a shared software foundation offers several important advantages.
Yu Peng, General Manager of the Technical Center at XPENG Motors, outlined three primary benefits that CAPI can deliver to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).
The first is the reduction of redundant development costs. Automotive companies frequently invest significant resources in developing similar foundational software capabilities. By utilizing a common codebase, manufacturers can eliminate unnecessary duplication and redirect resources toward innovation and differentiation.
The second benefit is enhanced supply chain security. As software complexity grows, ensuring the reliability and continuity of software components becomes increasingly important. A shared and openly developed foundation can improve transparency and reduce dependence on isolated proprietary solutions.
The third benefit is accelerated ecosystem collaboration. Automotive software development involves a wide range of stakeholders, including chip manufacturers, middleware providers, software developers, and vehicle manufacturers. A common platform creates opportunities for these participants to work together more effectively.
Yu pointed out that one of the major challenges facing the industry is the mismatch between the development speed of foundational software and the rapid iteration cycles of upper-layer applications and services. While advanced vehicle functions may be updated within weeks, underlying software infrastructure often evolves much more slowly.
CAPI addresses this challenge by providing a common development foundation that enables all stakeholders to collaborate on the same baseline. This alignment helps ensure that foundational software evolves quickly enough to support innovation at higher levels of the vehicle software stack.
China’s Growing Role in Global Automotive Standards
The contribution of iSOFT’s intelligent driving operating system to AUTOSAR CAPI reflects a broader shift within the global automotive industry.
Historically, many international automotive standards were primarily developed in Europe, North America, and Japan. Today, however, China has emerged as one of the most important centers of automotive innovation, particularly in electric vehicles, intelligent driving technologies, and software-defined vehicle architectures.
Chinese automakers have demonstrated an ability to rapidly commercialize new technologies and bring them to market at scale. This extensive deployment experience provides valuable real-world insights that can inform the development of global standards.
According to industry observers, the feedback loop between mass-production deployment and standards development is becoming increasingly important as automotive technologies evolve at unprecedented speed.
By contributing directly to the global code baseline, Chinese companies are moving beyond merely adopting international standards and are actively participating in their creation and evolution.
Proven Technology for the Software-Defined Vehicle Era
A key factor behind iSOFT’s selection for the CAPI initiative is the extensive deployment record of its intelligent driving operating system.
The company reports that its software platform has already been deployed in more than 25 million vehicles across over 300 vehicle models. This substantial production experience provides a strong foundation for broader industry adoption.
The operating system incorporates production-proven middleware technologies designed to support the requirements of modern intelligent vehicles. These include high-performance computing environments, advanced driver assistance systems, connectivity functions, and software-defined vehicle architectures.
As automotive manufacturers continue transitioning toward centralized computing platforms and increasingly sophisticated software ecosystems, proven middleware solutions will play a crucial role in ensuring reliability, scalability, and interoperability.
Through CAPI’s open and collaborative framework, iSOFT’s technology now has the opportunity to contribute to a broader global ecosystem, helping accelerate the development of next-generation intelligent vehicles.
The adoption of iSOFT’s intelligent driving operating system as the global code baseline for AUTOSAR’s Common Adaptive Platform Implementation represents more than a technical achievement. It signals a shift in how automotive software standards may be developed in the future, emphasizing collaboration, shared codebases, and faster innovation cycles.
As the software-defined vehicle era continues to gain momentum, initiatives like CAPI are expected to play an increasingly important role in reducing development complexity, improving interoperability, and enabling global cooperation.
For iSOFT, the milestone demonstrates the company’s growing influence within the international automotive software community. For AUTOSAR, it represents an opportunity to accelerate the evolution of adaptive software platforms. And for the broader automotive industry, it offers a pathway toward more efficient, collaborative, and innovative software development practices that can support the next generation of intelligent and connected vehicles.
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