Connext Drive 4.0 adds AI to SDV communication
Real-Time Innovations (RTI) has announced Connext Drive 4.0, an AI-enhanced communication framework aimed at speeding software-defined vehicle (SDV) development across zonal, HPC, edge-to-cloud and simulated environments. Built on the DDS standard, Connext Drive 4.0 targets safety, security and real-time performance requirements common to modern automotive programs.
For eeNews Europe readers, this is potentially relevant where DDS-based, mixed-criticality systems are under evaluation, and where teams want to reuse work from simulation through to production.
What RTI is adding
RTI’s release centers on a “SDV toolchain,” pre-integrated partner solutions and a set of common automotive scenarios designed to reduce glue code and guide teams through development, testing and deployment. The scenarios cover zonal architectures, HPC for AI workloads such as sensor fusion and perception, real-time WAN for edge-to-cloud connectivity, and full HiL, SiL and MiL simulation with AUTOSAR workflow compatibility. A built-in chatbot and model-based integrations apply AI-driven assessments to recommend DDS configurations.
The company says Connext Drive currently powers more than one million vehicles and is in use at over 25 automotive companies, which could provide a path to bring Connext Drive 4.0 into existing programs with fewer changes to architecture.
Safety and security posture
RTI highlights a combined safety and security approach for mixed-criticality software. Connext Drive 4.0 references ISO 26262 practices, ISO/SAE 21434 cybersecurity compliance and pre-shared-key protection for confidentiality, integrity and control within DDS domains. European teams assessing end-to-end risk management for zonal or centralized compute architectures may find this useful during concept and validation phases.
“Connext Drive 4.0 is designed to remove friction and boost productivity for distributed teams of developers,” said Mihai Potoceanu, Senior Product Manager for Automotive at RTI. “By providing a unified framework for developing, testing, and deploying vehicle software across various environments, teams can focus on building value rather than creating new code to bridge gaps. Through the new SDV toolchain and other productivity features, we are providing OEMs and Tier 1s with a more intelligent and adaptable foundation for their applications.”
Availability
Connext Drive 4.0 is scheduled to begin shipping on November 20, 2025. RTI positions the platform as part of ongoing deployments across autonomy, ADAS, telematics and zonal programs. For European OEMs and Tier-1s moving to centralized compute, it could potentially shorten integration cycles by aligning simulation, lab testing and on-road validation on the same DDS-based backbone.
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