Over-the-Air-Updates: Risks and opportunities

23. Feb 2023 | Industry + More

It's actually a great thing: The ability to send important updates directly to the vehicle via the Internet and updating the vehicle software 'over-the-air'. But as always, there's a catch.

Over-the-Air-Updates (OTA) in vehicles enable vehicle manufacturers (OEM) to send software updates directly to the vehicle without the need for a visit to the workshop or to carry out a manual update. These OTA software updates are already opening up new business models and sources of income for OEMs.

On-demand functions are (seemingly) the future

On-demand functions (ODCF) that are installed via OTA update will be the future in networked vehicles. The end customer can receive and activate additional functions for a monthly fee.  For example heated seats, pre-heating systems, various assistance systems and also the navigation function.

The problem is that Car manufacturers have a monopoly here, because only they have access to the interfaces and thus to the data of the cars and their owners. Independent workshops are left out in the cold.

Access to networked vehicles is becoming more difficult for independent workshops

The federal specialist group for independent workshops in the Central German Motor Vehicle Trade Association (ZDK) has a clear idea of what needs to change. Since access to networked vehicles is being made increasingly difficult for independent workshops and digital business models are only open to manufacturers, there is a risk of "irreparable competitive disadvantages for the industry and customers". And this is not just about software updates and new additional functions, but also about urgently needed access to repair and service information.

But back to OTA and ODCF: According to ZDK, to counteract the disadvantage for independent automotive workshops, independent companies would also have to be able to offer digital aftersales services. The requirement: Both over-the-air updates and on-demand functions should be designed so that all workshops can offer them themselves at a reasonable cost.

Independent vehicle workshops can position themselves now

But workshops should start positioning themselves now. Even if the original idea of keeping vehicles up-to-date quickly via OTA updates without having to drive to the workshop was well-intentioned, it is always advisable to have OTA updates carried out in the workshop as part of the next inspection or maintenance.

Workshops should therefore add this to their services - if they haven't already - and actively offer it. In rare cases, an OTA update can fail and cause problems with the vehicle. Compatibility problems with certain vehicle models or components may also occur, requiring a visit to a specialist workshop.

It's best to always have OTA updates carried out in the workshop

Drivers should bear in mind: The updates are carried out in the workshop (in the presence of experts) who have the necessary skills and tools to resolve problems that may occur during an update. And while the update is running, further checks or maintenance work can be carried out on the vehicle to ensure that the vehicle leaves the workshop in perfect condition and that the update has been carried out successfully.