Porsche Engineering Revolutionizes Vehicle Development with Modular Data-Driven Tools

Porsche Engineering is setting a new standard in automotive development by leveraging data-driven strategies and an integrated, modular toolchain. This approach significantly accelerates the optimization of new vehicle functions and their readiness for market, enabling faster insights and more efficient problem-solving throughout the development lifecycle.

Key Takeaways

• Data-driven development is crucial for faster vehicle function optimization and market readiness.

• Porsche Engineering has developed a modular, integrated toolchain covering the entire development process.

• The toolchain offers flexibility, allowing adaptation to diverse customer needs from early development to series production.

• A portfolio of six specialized tools enhances efficiency, data analysis, and developer support.

The Power of Data in Automotive Innovation

In the rapidly evolving automotive industry, data has become an indispensable asset. "Data is the new gold," a common adage, holds particularly true for vehicle development. Data analyses and the resulting data-driven development processes are increasingly vital for engineers. They provide rapid insights into the performance of new vehicle functions, allowing for early identification of successes and challenges. Leon David Lange, Project Lead ADAS Data Analysis at Porsche Engineering, emphasizes, "With the help of data-driven development, we are now in a position to optimize new functions much more quickly and expedite their market maturity." He further notes that complex vehicle features might not be feasible within reasonable timeframes without this acceleration.

An Integrated and Modular Toolchain

To fully harness the benefits of data-driven development, a seamless toolchain is essential. Dr. Hagen Stübing, Senior Manager Software Engineer at Porsche Engineering, explains that "The benefits of data-driven development can be fully utilized if you have the necessary tools along the entire development chain." In response, Porsche Engineering has developed an integrated, modular set of tools designed for various development phases. This comprehensive suite optimizes the development process, whether used individually or as a complete system. It covers everything from data recording and evaluation within the vehicle to transport, cloud storage, analysis, and the deployment of new software versions back to the vehicle.

The modular nature of this toolchain allows for flexible adaptation to the specific requirements of each industry customer. Dr. Heiko Helble, Project Lead for Data Gatherers at Porsche Engineering, states, "Modularization means that we can adapt to any request." This in-house developed toolchain spans from initial development stages through endurance testing and into series production, enhancing the agility to respond to market changes with precisely tailored tools.

The Six-Tool Portfolio

Porsche Engineering's current offering for data-driven development comprises six distinct tools:

• Automated Measured Data Evaluation Tool (AMDA V2): Evaluates measurement data directly within the vehicle during early development phases. It analyzes relevant signals live, assesses system performance using Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), and reduces the need for extensive cloud data transfer.

• Porsche Engineering Data Gatherer (PEDG): Designed for series production, this tool is embedded in existing control units. It collects data remotely via mobile technology, particularly useful for post-series production analysis without physical vehicle access.

• ComBox App: A smartphone application that acts as a digital assistant for test drivers. It accesses vehicle data during test drives, transfers it to the cloud, and offers various modes for data collection and validation.

• LLM Service Platform SALLY: A cloud-based digital assistant for software developers. It leverages domain-specific knowledge from ADAS development to provide information, support code generation, correction, and documentation, significantly accelerating development.

• PE IoT Edge Platform (PEvIoT): Connects devices and measurement technology in vehicles or test benches to the cloud. It facilitates data transmission, remote tool installation, and updates, enabling efficient management of entire vehicle fleets.

• Porsche Engineering Data Hub (PEDH): A cloud platform that acts as a data lake, storing all recorded data from test vehicles in an organized structure. It allows for efficient filtering and searching of metadata, providing insights into data origin and usage.

Daniel Schumacher, Specialist for Cloud Architecture at Porsche Engineering, highlights the value of these tools: "Our tools incorporate the experience gained from many years of vehicle development at Porsche Engineering." Developed entirely in-house, these tools are not only used internally but also offered to industry customers as "software as a product" through licensing, with the greatest benefits realized when the entire package is utilized.