Intel Accelerates Software-Defined Innovation with Whole-Vehicle Approach and Virtual Development Environment
At CES 2025, Intel unveiled a groundbreaking expansion of its automotive product portfolio, introducing innovative solutions designed to accelerate the transition to electric and software-defined vehicles (SDVs). The company showcased its whole-vehicle platform, integrating high-performance compute, discrete graphics, artificial intelligence (AI), power management, and zonal controller solutions. Central to this offering is the Intel® Automotive Virtual Development Environment (VDE), co-developed with Amazon Web Services (AWS). This comprehensive approach addresses automakers’ challenges related to cost, scalability, and performance, enabling faster, more efficient, and profitable development and deployment of SDVs.
“Intel Automotive is delivering innovative solutions that reduce costs in the SDV revolution,” said Jack Weast, Intel Fellow, vice president, and general manager of Intel Automotive. “Our whole-vehicle approach, combined with cloud integration, provides a complete solution that drives down total development and deployment costs while empowering automakers to build the future of mobility faster, more efficiently, and more profitably.”
Why a Whole-Vehicle Platform Matters
Traditional vehicle architectures often rely on fragmented systems, leading to inefficiencies in development and performance. Intel’s whole-vehicle platform optimizes the entire electrical/electronic architecture, driving significant cost reductions and performance improvements. By consolidating multiple functions into unified systems, Intel eliminates redundancies and enhances scalability.
To support this platform, Intel introduced the Adaptive Control Unit (ACU), a game-changing innovation designed for electric vehicle (EV) powertrains and zonal controller applications. The ACU U310 is a new type of processing unit capable of consolidating multiple real-time, safety-critical, and cybersecure functions into a single chip. Unlike traditional microcontrollers, which struggle with deterministic processing under heavy workloads, the ACU integrates a flexible logic area that offloads real-time control algorithms from CPU cores. This ensures reliable performance, freedom from interference (FFI), and deterministic data delivery, even when handling multiple consolidated workloads.
When applied to EV powertrains, the ACU U310 supports advanced algorithmic solutions that adapt high voltage and control frequencies to individual driver styles and road conditions. This reduces energy demand from the battery, reclaiming up to 40% of powertrain system energy losses and boosting efficiency by 3% to 5% during the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP). The result? Increased range, faster charging, and a more responsive driving experience—all while significantly reducing the bill of materials (BOM), motor size, and battery costs.
Industry Adoption of Adaptive Control Technology
Intel’s ACU has already gained traction among leading automakers. Stellantis Motorsports selected Intel as a key technology partner, adopting the ACU for its next-generation inverter control in competitive racing environments. In Formula E, where efficiency directly translates to competitive advantage, the ACU will control the electric motor and recover energy during braking phases.
Similarly, Karma Automotive announced support for Intel’s ACU, showcasing a co-branded inverter featuring Optimal Pulse Pattern control algorithms. These innovations improve efficiency and enable four unique driving profiles, including advanced features like Torque Ripple Reduction and Range Boost.
The programmability of the ACU allows it to function as a first-of-its-kind software-defined zonal controller, adapting to various vehicle topologies and applications. This flexibility simplifies supply chains, reduces BOM complexity, and accelerates the transition to SDVs.
Next-Gen Architecture Enhanced with AI Inside
Building on its first-generation AI-enhanced SDV system-on-chips (SoCs), Intel announced the upcoming second-generation Intel® Arc™ B-series Graphics for Automotive, set for production by the end of 2025. This solution delivers the high-performance compute required for advanced in-vehicle AI workloads, next-generation human-machine interface (HMI) engines, and immersive experiences, including AAA PC gaming. Paired with an Intel AI-enhanced SDV SoC, it provides scalable performance for complex AI tasks, supported by Intel’s extensive AI ecosystem.
Revolutionizing Automotive Software Development with AWS
Intel and AWS introduced the Intel Automotive Virtual Development Environment (VDE) on AWS, a transformative solution that ensures hardware and software parity from cloud to car. This offering addresses challenges throughout the vehicle development lifecycle, enabling engineers to seamlessly switch between virtual and physical hardware setups. By incorporating Intel® Xeon® processor-based Amazon EC2 instances and Intel’s Automotive SDV SoCs within the AWS environment, the VDE eliminates the need for costly ECU simulators or developer boards. This collaboration accelerates innovation, reduces R&D costs, and shortens time-to-market for automakers.
System-Level Advantage for Automakers
Intel’s whole-vehicle approach offers numerous benefits to automakers, including:
- Cost Reductions: Streamlined architectures and consolidated components lower BOM costs.
- Enhanced Performance: Improved energy efficiency and advanced algorithmic solutions boost vehicle range and responsiveness.
- Streamlined Development: Unified platforms simplify design and testing processes.
- Seamless AI Integration: High-performance compute enables advanced AI capabilities.
- Faster Time-to-Market: Cloud-based tools accelerate development cycles.
All of these advantages are backed by Intel’s globally balanced supply chain, ensuring reliability and scalability for automakers worldwide.
