From Embedded to Empowered: The Rise of Software-Defined Products

In automotive, it’s called a “software-defined vehicle.” But the move toward software-defined products is also happening in aerospace, industrial systems, medical devices, and other industries. Until now, most customer-visible capabilities in products have been implemented as mechanical and electronic subsystems, with certain critical operational functions implemented using embedded software. As a result, much of the functionality has been set at production. Going forward, the features that represent brand-distinctive attributes and customer-perceived value will be defined through software, providing the ability to generate new value throughout the lifespan of the system. This transformation to “software-defined” requires changes in development processes, new synergies between teams, and new ways to leverage products like MATLAB^® and Simulink^®. In this talk, discover key approaches to capturing the value while mitigating the risks associated with the disruptive changes.