The Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV) is redefining the UK automotive industry - and Cenex Expo 2025 is where it will be in action. In this exclusive article by AESIN's Gunny Dhadyalla and Brendan Morris, discover why the UK is primed to lead in SDV innovation, the critical role of software factories and vehicle OSs, and why collaboration and investment are vital. Don’t miss the dedicated SDV technical session at Cenex Expo - where industry leaders will showcase the next wave of automotive transformation…….

Once upon a time the UK had one of the world’s largest vehicle industries, these days it's known for building some of the most iconic vehicles.

Today we’re not just building iconic vehicles, we’re building the intelligence necessary to drive them.

Electronics, software, AI, and power systems aren’t optional anymore. They’re essential! They’re what makes a vehicle work and what make it safe, sustainable, and from a business perspective, competitive.

In the race to redefine mobility, the UK is playing to compete on a new track, one paved with both tarmac and code. At the heart of this transformation is the Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV), a paradigm shift that’s turning vehicles into dynamic, updatable digital platforms. And leading the UK charge is AESIN, the Automotive Electronics Systems Innovation Network, a collaborative community of over 65 members including OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, startups, and academic institutions.

AESIN’s recent work collaborating with the Automotive Council UK, outlines a compelling vision for the UK’s role in the global SDV revolution. For technologists, entrepreneurs, and investors alike, it’s a roadmap to opportunity for the next decade.

The SDV Opportunity is more than just software.  It’s about rethinking the entire vehicle lifecycle. From DevOps-driven development pipelines to over-the-air updates, SDVs enable continuous innovation post-sale of the vehicle with new features and critical updates.

You may be thinking what is DevOps? DevOps is an evolving approach and set of practices that blend software development (Dev) with IT operations (Ops). DevOps weaves them into a single, cohesive workflow. The goal? To automate and streamline the process of building, testing, and deploying software, making it faster, more reliable, and continuously adaptive. In the context of SDVs, DevOps enables rapid updates, robust testing, and seamless integration of new features into vehicles, turning cars into truly evolving digital platforms.

This shift is already disrupting traditional automotive business models, opening the door to Feature-as-a-Service offerings and new revenue streams.

AESIN identifies two major innovation pillars:

• Software Factories: These are the engines of SDV development—agile, cloud-native environments that replace the traditional V-model with Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) pipelines, AI-enhanced automation, and using cross-industry best practices.

• Vehicle Operating Systems (OSs): The “what” to the factory’s “how.” These OS platforms manage everything from infotainment to safety-critical systems, increasingly built on heterogeneous compute architectures and often including open-source software.

Why now and why in the UK? The UK brings unique strengths to the SDV table.  The UK’s Cybersecurity and Functional Safety expertise has deep roots in automotive, aerospace, and FinTech. The UK has access to talent and has been active in taking leadership in defining global safety standards and guidelines like MISRA-C and ISO26262.

A strong software heritage from embedded systems to AI, the UK’s academic and industrial base is well-positioned to lead in high-integrity software development, the measured and robust application of AI and machine learning.

But there’s a catch: AESIN members have identified skills shortages and talent retention as critical challenges. There is urgent need for targeted investment in education, training, and career-long upskilling to maintain momentum.  Areas such as software engineering, computer science, AI, embedded systems and cloud engineering are going to be critical for high value jobs.

We need a Call to Action during a period of major industry disruption. AESIN’s analysis identifies 18 short-to-medium-term disruptors, with 10 deemed “highly likely” and 4 carrying “high impact” potential.

• Cybersecurity threats to critical infrastructure

• Geopolitical shifts in supply chains

• The rise of global hyperscalers in the automotive industry (AWS, Google, RedHat)

• The transition to SDVs as a market norm

These are signals that the industry is moving fast, and those who hesitate may find themselves outpaced by more agile, software-savvy competitors.

The UK automotive technology industry needs to understand where it can play and how it can win.  For investors and developers, the UK SDV ecosystem offers fertile ground.  The UK’s startup and SME culture provides nimble, innovative, and globally scalable solutions as these firms aim to be the heartbeat of the SDV response in the UK.

The creation of Software Factories will provide prime areas for investment, especially in tools, platforms, and consultancy services.  Off the back of this we anticipate the creation of new and updated standard, increased use of Open-Source Software as an additional ingredient: With growing OEM interest in open platforms, there’s room to shape the next generation of automotive software infrastructure.

This will only happen through collaboration between public and private sectors, with funding pathways through UKRI, Innovate UK, EPSRC, the APC, and new venture capital.

In conclusion: The SDV is a technological evolution and a strategic inflection point. With the right investment, policy support, and talent development, the UK can compete globally in software-defined mobility.

AESIN’s message is clear: the time to act is now. Whether you’re a developer, a startup founder, or an investor looking for the next big thing, the SDV ecosystem will be open for business—and we are ready to compete.

To dive deeper into the practical realities and innovations shaping the SDV landscape, make sure to attend the dedicated technical session on SDV at Cenex Expo 2025. This event offers a unique opportunity to engage with industry leaders, explore cutting-edge technologies, and gain first-hand insights into the future of software-defined vehicles. Whether you're seeking strategic partnerships or hands-on expertise, the Cenex Expo session is an essential stop on your journey through the evolving UK SDV ecosystem.

Join the dedicated SDV technical session at Cenex Expo 2025 chaired by Alex Wood (APC) and talks from Brendan Morris (Siemens and AESIN SDV Special Interest Group chair), Puneet Mathur (HORIBA MIRA) and Elliot Hemes (IPG Automotive).  Connect with experts, explore new technologies, and discover how the UK’s SDV ecosystem is evolving.