Sep 14, 2017   SOURCE: BusinessWire

HARMAN Enhances its Position as the Undisputed Leader for the Over-the-Air (OTA) Software Updating Solution Provider in the Growing Connected Vehicle Market

HARMAN International, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., focused on connected technologies for automotive, consumer and enterprise markets, today announced the launch of HARMAN’s Remote Vehicle Updating OTA version 11 solution, based on technology HARMAN obtained through the acquisition of Redbend in 2015. Seventeen OEMs have chosen HARMAN’s OTA solution enabling 25 million vehicles, making it the only commercially deployed OTA option on the market.

The ability to update automotive software over-the-air has become a competitive advantage for OEMs for several reasons. First, the HARMAN OTA solution reduces the need for recalls by remotely addressing system malfunctions and security threats. In addition, OEMs can use the OTA solution to decrease time-to-market by updating software while the vehicle is still on the production line as well as offer consumers new features and functions post-sale, maintaining a direct connection between the OEM and the driver, increasing OEM brand awareness and customer loyalty.

HARMAN’s Remote Vehicle Updating offering is the only OTA solution that enables efficient full-vehicle management. The low footprint solution enables OTA updates and management of the whole car, from head units to the smallest ECUs, even those with low processing and memory resources. This solution was specifically built to eliminate failures, by coping with any potential risks, such as network problems, cyber security attacks and file tampering, providing OEMs with a secure and efficient way to mitigate risk and increase security and safety.

HARMAN’s solution leverages its unique Smart Delta technology which reduces the file update package up to 99 percent. This is accomplished by generating a small delta update file containing only the changes that were done in the software from previous version. This contributes greatly to network efficiency and cost, as well as minimizing the time it takes for the update to complete resulting in a positive customer experience.

In addition, HARMAN’s OTA solution enables manufacturing and logistics efficiencies for OEMs in several ways. For example, deploying the solution:

  • At the production line - eliminates software flashing bottle necks
  • During the shipping process - streamlines the software supply chain and eliminates dependencies
  • At the dealer - makes the software update process much faster and reduces customer frustration

OTA version 11 also serves as the underlying infrastructure for HARMAN’s award winning automotive cloud solution, Ignite. Version 11 includes updates from earlier versions of the solution and features a new UI providing a more seamless user experience for OEMs. Additional updates include, the ability to:

  • Update ECUs of any size or ECUs with limited resources – small to large updates can be made to the whole vehicle
  • Support any platform of ECU (Linux, RTOS, AUTOSAR) and any BUS inside the vehicle (CAN Bus, Ethernet, MOST, LIN)
  • Better protect the update process and allow for mitigation of risks during an update, network failure, or power failure
  • Deploy on any OS with backend deployment available on any cloud or customer premise
  • Update any type of software – firmware, operating systems, maps, configuration files and content

“We are excited to see that over 25 million vehicles on the road are being reliably updated using our OTA solutions and more than 100 million connected cars are contracted to implement HARMAN’s OTA technology. We have used our knowledge and experience to continually make improvements to our technology, so that the end user experiences the unparalleled security, reliability and efficiency that come with driving a connected car,” said Oren Betzaleli, vice president and general manager of HARMAN International. “We look forward to the future as we continue to develop new solutions and services that transform the automotive market and personalize the driving experience.”

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ABOUT HARMAN

HARMAN (harman.com) designs and engineers connected products and solutions for automakers, consumers, and enterprises worldwide, including connected car systems, audio and visual products, enterprise automation solutions; and services supporting the Internet of Things. With leading brands including AKG®, Harman Kardon®, Infinity®, JBL®, Lexicon®, Mark Levinson® and Revel®, HARMAN is admired by audiophiles, musicians and the entertainment venues where they perform around the world. More than 50 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and connected car systems. Our software services power billions of mobile devices and systems that are connected, integrated and secure across all platforms, from work and home to car and mobile. HARMAN has a workforce of approximately 30,000 people across the Americas, Europe, and Asia. In March 2017, HARMAN became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

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