3 Questions for… Dr Matthias Traub, Vector Informatik
“A fundamental shift is required”
With a degree in Electrical Engineering from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Dr Traub brings deep technical expertise to automotive innovation.
Vector Informatik GmbH
SDV adoption requires deep structural change. Dr Matthias Traub, President and Managing Director at Vector Informatik, explains how OEMs can overcome key hurdles and benefit from strategic platform partnerships.
Dr Traub has played a defining role in
advancing vehicle electronics and software architecture for over two decades.
In senior leadership positions at major OEMs, he has been instrumental in
shaping the evolution of E/E platforms, automotive IoT and cybersecurity
strategies.
Today, as a member of the Management Board
at Vector Informatik, he intertwines deep technical expertise with strategic
foresight to advance innovation in Software-Defined Vehicles and Automotive
Engineering, with a strong focus on scalable and innovative solutions – helping
to define the future of connected and intelligent vehicles.
ADT: What are the biggest organizational hurdles OEMs face when adopting
SDV architectures – and how can Vector support overcoming them?
Dr Traub: From my perspective, the biggest organizational
hurdle Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) face when moving towards the
Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV) is the integration of new technologies and
software-driven paradigms into existing structures—across organizations,
systems, and processes. This challenge is multifaceted, encompassing technical,
cultural, and operational dimensions. Technically, OEMs must integrate new
technologies into legacy systems while managing a dramatic increase in software
complexity. This process is often complex, time-consuming, and
resource-intensive, diverting focus from developing customer-facing, differentiating
features. Culturally, a fundamental shift is required—from a hardware-focused
to a software-driven mindset. This transformation demands not only new skills
but also a strong commitment to change, making effective change management
essential. Operationally, many OEMs are taking on greater responsibility in
software development, which is reshaping traditional collaboration models with
suppliers and impacting internal processes. This shift calls for more agile,
co-development-oriented approaches. In concrete terms, this means moving away
from the classic V-model with segmented responsibilities towards a
DevOps-oriented model, where accountability spans the entire value chain and
product lifecycle. Vector supports OEMs through this transition with a
comprehensive portfolio of base software solutions and tools that operate
seamlessly across both legacy and next-generation systems—adressing each OEM's
unique needs and accelerating the transition towards SDV.
What are the main benefits of a pre-integrated SDV
platform for automotive manufacturers?
A pre-integrated Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV) platform gives automotive
manufacturers a decisive edge in today’s fast-paced market by offering a wide
range of benefits. By delivering a ready-to-use software stack, it
significantly shortens development cycles and reduces costs, enabling faster
time-to-market while allowing OEMs to focus on areas that directly impact brand
identity and customer satisfaction. With pre-integrated and pre-tested
components engineered for performance and reliability, these platforms reduce
integration risks and ensure consistently high quality. Furthermore, the
platform’s scalability and flexibility allow OEMs to quickly expand features and
functionalities to meet evolving technologies and shifting consumer demands.
By supporting industry standards and enabling seamless third-party integration,
pre-integrated platforms not only strengthen collaboration across the
automotive ecosystem, but they also empower manufacturers to focus on their
core strengths: vehicle design, performance, and user experience. This
positions them for long-term success in a software-driven future.
How does the collaboration between Vector, QNX,
and TTTech Auto accelerate SDV development?
The collaboration between Vector, QNX, and TTTech Auto accelerates
Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV) development by delivering a pre-integrated,
safety-certified software platform. This Foundational Vehicle Software Platform
is designed to be simple, performant, and scalable across vehicle domains,
enabling OEMs to shift resources from non-differentiating software tasks to
customer-facing innovation. By combining the industry-leading expertise of
Vector, QNX, and TTTech—in operating systems, scheduling technology,
middleware, and tooling—the platform simplifies the integration of software
components from multiple providers. This not only cuts down on complexity and
cost but also actively mitigates risks such as incompatibilities, performance
bottlenecks, and production delays. At the same time, the platform is open and
flexible, making it easy to collaborate and integrate with third-party
solutions. Aligned with industry-leading safety and security standards such as
ISO 26262 and ISO 21434, the platform supports a stepwise integration approach,
allowing gradual adoption and minimizing risks associated with large-scale
transitions. Additionally, it complements the joint, automotive-grade, open
software ecosystem under the Eclipse S‑Core initiative, coordinated by the
Verband der Automobilindustrie e.V. (VDA). The result is a robust, future-ready
foundation for next-generation mobility.
