Bosch Mobility Solutions & IoT

Bosch Mobility Solutions centers its software approach on transforming vehicles into digital platforms, continuously collecting, storing, and utilizing data to improve services and functionalities. This software-centric strategy enables vehicles to evolve dynamically throughout their lifecycle, offering continuous updates and improvements.  

Software Platform Technologies in Bosch Mobility Solutions 

Bosch is engaged in the development of a technology platform designed for automotive software. This platform provides an environment for software creation, deployment, and lifecycle management within vehicles. Key technical components include: 

• Development Toolchain: This encompasses integrated development environments (IDEs), compilers, debugging tools, and simulation environments optimized for embedded automotive software, high-performance computing units, and cloud-integrated services. 

• Automotive-Specific Cloud Services: These services are designed to manage vehicular data at scale. Components include data ingestion pipelines for telemetry, secure data storage solutions, and distributed data processing capabilities. These services support Over-the-Air (OTA) updates for software and firmware, remote diagnostics, and the processing of large datasets for analytic applications (e.g., fault prediction). Integration with the wider Bosch IoT cloud framework is a core aspect. 

• Electrical/Electronic (E/E) Architecture: This involves the design and implementation of vehicle E/E architectures that transition from fragmented Electronic Control Units (ECUs) to centralized, high-performance computing platforms. These platforms are engineered to host multiple software functions, supporting virtualization, real-time operating systems (RTOS), and service-oriented communication protocols (e.g., SOME/IP, Automotive Ethernet) to enable flexible software deployment. 

• Middleware and Communication Frameworks: Development focuses on robust middleware layers that abstract hardware specifics and provide standardized Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) for application developers. This includes communication frameworks enabling data exchange between different in-vehicle domains (e.g., powertrain, chassis, infotainment, Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems) and between the vehicle and cloud systems (V2C). 

FNOS (First Notification of Service Need) 

FNOS represents a specific software-enabled application within Bosch Mobility Solutions. Its function is the automated and proactive transmission of predefined vehicle diagnostic and operational data to designated service or maintenance facilities. The technical implementation of FNOS includes: 

• On-Board Data Monitoring: Utilization of vehicle internal diagnostic data streams and sensor inputs to monitor parameters indicative of potential service requirements. 

• Event-Based Data Transmission: Configuration of logical rules or thresholds that, when met (e.g., specific diagnostic trouble codes, deviation from operational norms), trigger the secure transmission of relevant data packets. 

• Secure Communication Protocols: Employment of encrypted communication protocols (e.g., TLS over cellular networks) to ensure data confidentiality and integrity during transmission from the vehicle to the backend service. 

• Backend Data Ingestion and Processing: Transmitted data is ingested into Bosch's cloud infrastructure, part of the Bosch IoT platform. This data undergoes processing and can be integrated with external service management systems for maintenance scheduling or parts procurement. 

Software Development Methodologies 

Bosch's approach to software development incorporates specific methodologies and competencies: 

• Automotive Systems Engineering: Application of principles for designing and developing software for vehicle systems, including adherence to functional safety standards (e.g., ISO 26262), real-time performance requirements, and cybersecurity protocols relevant to automotive embedded systems. 

• Data Management and Analytics: Implementation of capabilities for managing large volumes of heterogeneous vehicular data. This includes techniques for data ingestion, pre-processing, storage, and analysis using methods such as machine learning to derive insights (e.g., for predictive maintenance algorithms or system performance optimization). This data flow leverages the broader Bosch IoT data management capabilities. 

• Collaborative Development Frameworks: Engagement in industry-standard initiatives and internal frameworks that support collaborative software development across multiple organizations and teams, focusing on interoperability and shared development environments for complex automotive software stacks. 

Learn more: https://www.bosch-mobility.com/