Tata Technologies is developing over-the-air (OTA) platforms to deliver software updates to millions of vehicles and even their manufacturing plants for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) and tier-I suppliers, Jhenu Subramaniam, Cybersecurity Solution Architect at Tata Technologies, told FE.
While the company aims to unlock new business models through the continuous delivery of software enhancements and feature upgrades, these digital services are also crucial to its revenue growth strategy, he added.
“SDVs (software-defined vehicles) offer the potential to generate new revenue streams by continuously delivering software enhancements, feature upgrades, and value-added services throughout the vehicle’s lifecycle,” Suburamaniam said.
In the quarter ending June, Tata Technologies reported consolidated revenue of Rs 1,268.97 crore, slightly down from Rs 1,301.05 crore in the January-March period. The services segment contributed Rs 985.50 crore to total revenue, while net profit rose to Rs 162.03 crore, up from Rs 157.24 crore in the previous quarter.
The evolution towards SDVs
Addressing the broader industry shift, Suburamaniam highlighted the critical evolution towards SDVs, which are poised to redefine the automotive landscape.
“The global SDV market is expected to reach approximately $210.88 billion by 2032,” he said. This shift not only enhances vehicle capabilities through OTA updates but also unlocks new business models focused on connectivity and personalised services.
“This approach unlocks new features, services and revenue streams at any time, fundamentally transforming the relationship between OEMs and customers,” Suburamaniam said.
Additionally, the Pune-based Tata company has developed a proprietary GenAI framework, which has already delivered over 42 use cases across design, engineering and manufacturing.
“For our clients, GenAI solutions are transforming how they approach product development, automating complex tasks, enhancing collaboration, and driving greater efficiency across the value chain,” Suburamaniam said.
Addressing cybersecurity in SDVs
As vehicles increasingly become “computers on wheels,” they also become prime targets for cyberattacks, making robust cybersecurity measures essential, Suburamaniam stated. “As OEMs roll out features behind paywalls, there is a growing threat of users attempting to jailbreak systems, which can introduce malware into the vehicle ecosystem,” he added.
He further said the application of high-performance computing (HPC) and AI is transformative across several domains within the automotive industry, particularly in design, testing, and cybersecurity.
“In cybersecurity, for example, real-time software updates can be deployed to SDVs to address emerging vulnerabilities and attack vectors,” Suburamaniam said.
This proactive approach is part of a larger trend of integrating security measures early in the design process, ensuring robust defense mechanisms are in place as vehicles increasingly become interconnected digital hubs, they also become more susceptible to cyber threats.
The integration of robust cybersecurity measures is portrayed not just as an enhancement but as an essential foundation of modern vehicle design, he said.
