AeronauticsAutomation in the Automotive Industry: How AI and Digital Processes Are Revolutionizing Testing and Development
Interview with Matthias Woznik, Project Manager by in-motion
The automotive industry is undergoing a fundamental shift: What was once defined by manual testing and lengthy development processes is now driven by intelligent automation. Matthias Woznik, Project Manager at in-motion, shares insights into this transformation and explains how modern technologies are completely redefining the way we develop and test vehicles.
Automation is currently one of the most important drivers of transformation in the automotive industry. How does this development affect your area of work, and where do you see the biggest changes compared to the past?
In recent years, we have observed a clear shift in our operational activities from manual testing toward automation. The main reason is that purely manual processes can no longer keep pace with today’s development cycles.
Particularly in software development, numerous new versions, configurations, and functions are created within a short period of time. At the same time, vehicle functionality has increased significantly. Features that were once considered premium conveniences are now expected by users, who demand highly customizable systems that can adapt to their individual needs.
Automation supports us both in structuring and executing tests. Instead of performing individual test steps manually, automated systems can execute extensive test scenarios overnight or even around the clock. This significantly increases efficiency while also improving test coverage.
The complexity of modern vehicle software continues to grow. Why has automation become such a critical success factor in your projects?
This is mainly because the focus has increasingly shifted toward software. Modern control units contain far more software than in the past, and new updates are released at much shorter intervals.
Every new software version must be validated. In the past, many of these tasks were performed manually. Today, however, automated methods are indispensable if we want to achieve the required depth of testing.
Automation solutions can operate 24/7 and continuously search for defects, anomalies, and issues. As a result, we achieve a level of quality and speed that would be nearly impossible to realize through manual testing alone.
Automated development and testing processes have become indispensable. What are the greatest challenges or risks, particularly with regard to quality, safety, and reliability?
That is ultimately a question of trust, one that we regularly ask ourselves. Our core business is validating vehicle software. However, when we develop automation, that automation is also software, and therefore it can contain defects as well.
For this reason, our automation solutions must undergo the same quality assurance and validation processes as the products we test. They are critically reviewed, validated, and subjected to multiple testing cycles.
Only after these processes have been successfully completed can we trust the results. Automation solutions themselves are also thoroughly tested before being deployed in productive environments.
It is important not to act too hastily. Initial positive results are no substitute for a comprehensive validation process. Automation only creates value if it is itself reliably validated.
If we were to have this conversation again in five years, what would likely surprise us most about Software-Defined Vehicles and automation?
Looking toward the future is naturally part of our daily work. Several developments are already becoming very clear today. Functional development will continue to take place in short cycles and will continuously improve the in-vehicle user experience. At the same time, vehicle systems will become increasingly diverse. Modern vehicles are no longer defined solely by powertrain, braking, and steering systems. Areas such as driver assistance, infotainment, and digital services are becoming increasingly important.
Users now expect many of the functions they know from smartphones to also be available in vehicles. This trend will continue. The number of functional chains, dependencies, and configuration possibilities will continue to grow.
In addition, digital after-sales offerings will become increasingly important. Functions will be activated, upgraded, or deactivated based on customer needs. Consequently, software validation after a vehicle has been sold will become even more important. At the same time, we must manage enormous volumes of data and highly complex configuration matrices. AI-supported processes will increasingly assist us, particularly in data management, analytics, and governance-related activities.
However, I still see humans as an indispensable part of the process. Reviews, quality controls, and the final assessment of results will remain necessary. AI will support us, but it will not completely replace us.
Otherwise, it would hardly be possible in the future to perform the required volume of testing manually. This brings us full circle to the importance of automation.
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