OMNEX VIRTUAL CUSTOMER CONFERENCE 2024
Lars Dittmann, Vice President of iNTACS e.V., delivered a keynote addressing both the opportunities and challenges facing the automotive industry, offering a comprehensive look at the digital transformation underway across software, engineering and supplier ecosystems.
The session traced how software has become a defining differentiator in automotive product development, and why organizations need mature assessment models, standardized processes and stronger supplier collaboration to keep pace.
Key Themes Discussed
1. Historical Evolution of Automotive Software
Lars outlined the milestones in software development and integration in vehicles:
- From the first control units in 1982 to today’s high-performance computers (HPCs) in vehicles.
- The progression of complexity: over 10 million lines of code (LOC) and integrated systems for connected services.
2. Global Challenges and Industry Changes
The presentation emphasized the disruptive trends influencing the automotive landscape:
- Digital Transformation: Adoption of platforms, open-source solutions, and networked ecosystems.
- Regulatory Impact: Increasingly strict global legislation reshaping operational models.
- Elimination of Legacy Technologies: Transition from outdated technologies to innovative solutions like e-mobility and autonomous driving.
3. Technical Challenges in Software Development
Key technical hurdles identified included:
- Managing the complexity of multi-domain systems and integrating AI for autonomous driving.
- Addressing external dependencies: Lars highlighted examples such as data processing on non-EU platforms (e.g., Microsoft and Amazon).
4. Focus on Quality in Software Development
Lars stressed the importance of robust quality management frameworks:
- Product and Process Quality: Stability through structured management and defined objectives.
- Adherence to Standards: Utilization of methodologies like Automotive SPICE® and VDA guidelines to ensure quality across the lifecycle.
5. Automotive SPICE® as a Solution
The session highlighted how Automotive SPICE® addresses quality challenges:
- Frameworks for lifecycle planning and interdisciplinary cooperation.
- Ensuring objective, independent quality assurance while maintaining alignment with development.
Presenter
Lars Dittmann
Vice President, iNTACS e.V.
Lars conducted the first software assessment at Volkswagen in 1999 and headed the Group’s software quality assurance in Wolfsburg from 2001. He is an Automotive SPICE Principal Assessor who has conducted more than 40 assessments and established the assessment system for the Group’s software suppliers. He is spokesman for the HIS working group “Process Assessment” and head of VDA working group 13. As IT manager he led the first PAM development for ISO/IEC 20000 in 2012, later serving as Quality Manager at FAW-VW in Changchun until 2014, managing mobile online services at VW and heading cross-functional development of driver assistance systems. Lars has been iNTACS Vice President since 2019 and Managing Director since 2022.
Key Takeaways
- The automotive industry must embrace digital transformation and align with emerging trends like AI and e-mobility.
- Quality assurance frameworks such as Automotive SPICE® are essential for navigating complex software systems.
- Organizations need to foster collaboration and invest in robust quality management to remain competitive.
Omnex’s Role in Supporting the Automotive Industry
- Integrated Training Programs: Courses on Automotive SPICE®, AI integration, and digital transformation.
- Consulting Services: Assisting in implementing structured quality management systems.
- Third-Party Certification: Supporting compliance with global standards through assessments and audits.