Software Defined Vehicles
Data centres, cloud architectures and real-time processing
Why digital infrastructure is becoming the backbone of future mobility
1 min
A recent study by Digital Realty highlights how data centres, cloud architectures and real-time processing are turning into critical success factors for the automotive industry. Insights from 215 executives show where the sector stands — and where the real bottlenecks lie.
The automotive industry is entering a phase in which digital infrastructure is no longer a supporting function, but a strategic prerequisite. A study by Digital Realty, based on responses from 215 executives across the automotive and IT sectors, shows that many companies clearly recognise the importance of autonomous driving, software-defined vehicles, real-time data processing, AI and simulation. However, the ability to implement these ambitions at scale remains uneven.
While strategic roadmaps are well defined, operational readiness often lags behind. Many organisations have launched pilot projects and isolated solutions, but struggle to translate them into scalable platforms. The study suggests that the bottleneck is less about innovation itself and more about the foundations required to sustain it over time.
Infrastructure determines scalability
According to the study, the decisive factor for future competitiveness lies in the capacity to process, move and secure data reliably and in real time. Autonomous driving, in particular, is constrained less by sensors or algorithms than by the computing and data-centre infrastructure needed to manage vast data streams across large vehicle fleets. Similar limitations affect software-defined vehicle strategies, where fragmented architectures often prevent over-the-air updates and digital services from moving beyond trial phases.
The same pattern appears in real-time data usage, AI and simulation. Although large volumes of data are collected, only a minority of companies are able to integrate them directly into operational or development decisions. High-performance, scalable data centres and cloud-edge architectures are therefore becoming essential enablers rather than optional enhancements.
Overall, the study concludes that leadership in future mobility will be decided behind the scenes. Companies that invest early in resilient, scalable digital infrastructure are better positioned to translate innovation into market-ready solutions, while those that delay risk falling behind in an industry increasingly shaped by data-driven execution rather than hardware differentiation alone.
