In a move set to revolutionize the automotive industry, UK-based tech company SODA.Auto has unveiled SODA V, an AI-driven tool aimed at drastically reducing car development time and costs. The innovative platform, which took 18 months and $6 million to develop, is poised to disrupt traditional automotive engineering processes.
SODA V is being touted as the world’s first comprehensive tool for creating software-defined vehicles (SDVs), covering all aspects of automotive engineering from initial concept to final certification. By leveraging Digital Twin technologies and artificial intelligence, the platform significantly streamlines routine tasks. For example, test coding that previously required three days can now be reviewed in just 15 minutes.
The potential impact on the automotive industry is substantial. SODA V enables automakers to develop new SDVs in less than a year, a stark contrast to the traditional five-year timeline. Moreover, the budgetary implications are equally impressive, with development costs potentially dropping from an industry standard of $40 million to a mere $600,000.
Florian Rohde, ex-Tesla executive and Managing Partner at iProcess LLC, drew parallels between SODA.Auto’s approach and Tesla’s innovative strategies, noting that SODA.Auto has expanded on Tesla’s internal tools to serve a broader market.
The implications for consumers and the industry at large are significant. SODA.Auto’s technology is expected to lead to more vehicles entering the market, potentially lowering prices for end users while simultaneously improving technological sophistication and user experience.
Matas Simonavicius, former CTO at CHARGE CARS, highlighted the transformative potential of SODA V, stating that companies can now develop, test, and integrate new vehicle features in as little as a week.
SODA.Auto’s ambitious plans include doubling its client base of automotive companies in Western markets within a year, with these clients expected to develop over 150,000 software-defined vehicles. The company projects reaching $100 million in revenue by 2027.
Industry experts, including Glenn Saint from The Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders (SMMT) UK, emphasize the critical need for such innovative tools to help automakers quickly overcome the challenges of creating high-end technology products at competitive prices.
While primarily focused on the automotive sector, SODA V’s applications extend to aerospace, rail, and marine industries. Dan Isaacs, CTO and GM at Digital Twin Consortium, praised SODA.Auto’s integration of AI into Digital Twins, noting that these technologies have been validated by the consortium, which includes NASA among its members.
As the automotive industry grapples with the need for faster innovation cycles and more technologically advanced vehicles, SODA V represents a significant leap forward, potentially reshaping the landscape of vehicle development for years to come.
