Tag: 3BL

Originally published on GoDaddy Resource Library

Introduce yourself and your career journey, to date.

Hey there! I’m Dan Smith, and I’m thrilled to share my story with you. I’ve been working as a Senior Supervisor for Specialty United Kingdom at GoDaddy in Nottingham for over 12 years now. I am currently participating in a temporary “Safari” assignment as an Operations Manager. At GoDaddy, Safaris are initiatives designed to balance resources across teams and facilitate the sharing of knowledge. This opportunity enables me to contribute my expertise while also fostering my own professional growth. Let me tell you, it’s been quite a ride! My career journey has been anything but ordinary. It began with a deep passion for Judo, which ultimately paved the way for my growth into a leadership role within sales and customer support. I’m excited to take you through my experiences and share some insights I’ve gained along the way.

How did your career shift from Judo to sales, and what led you to GoDaddy?

Before I joined GoDaddy, I was a full-time Judo athlete, training at one of the top centres in the United Kingdom – Camberley Judo Club. It was an incredible experience, and my goal was to make it to the Olympics. I spent six years training & coaching classes of all ages, I was in the British National Squad and I absolutely loved it. However, there came a point when I realized that I wanted to explore new opportunities and challenge myself in a different way. That’s when I decided to step away from Judo and pursue a career in sales. You might be surprised to hear this, but my experience in Judo actually provided me with a lot of transferable skills that have been invaluable in my sales career. Things like confidence, people skills, and the ability to break down complex concepts – all of these have been key to my success.

My journey with GoDaddy started when I joined as a Business Development Manager (BDM) for Sign-up.to, an email marketing brand for Host Europe Group. It was an exciting time, as the company later merged with GoDaddy, opening up even more opportunities for growth. In this role, I had the chance to lead and support other BDMs while also engaging in cold call sales. It was a challenging but rewarding experience, and it really helped me develop my skills in sales and leadership. When an opportunity arose in Nottingham for an Online Experts Supervisor position, I knew I had to go for it. It meant relocating from my hometown in Surrey to Grantham, but I was ready for the adventure!

What has been the most rewarding part of working at GoDaddy?

One of the things I’m most proud of during my time at GoDaddy is the growth and development of the teams I’ve worked on. When I took on the leadership role for the 123-Reg team, we were just a small group of 5-7 Guides. But over the course of a single year, we expanded to over 50 team members! It was an incredible experience to be a part of that growth and to support so many talented individuals in their career advancement.

Seeing my team members succeed and move into Supervisor roles or other positions within the company has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my job.

It’s a true testament to the incredible talent and dedication of the people I’ve had the privilege to work with.

How has embracing change shaped your career at GoDaddy?

If there’s one thing I’ve learned throughout my career at GoDaddy, it’s the importance of embracing change. I’ve experienced numerous changes over the years, from moving between different departments to adapting to new technologies. And you know what? Each change has brought with it new opportunities for growth and development. I firmly believe that embracing change is crucial for both personal and professional growth. Instead of viewing change as a negative, I see it as a chance to learn new skills, expand my network, and explore new roles. It’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it.

What advice would you give to an individual just starting out in the Care department at GoDaddy?

Embrace change! I know it can be challenging, and it’s natural to feel a bit uncertain at times. But trust me when I say that change often leads to incredible opportunities for self-development and career advancement. My personal motto is “the only constant is change,” and I truly believe that staying adaptable and open to new experiences is the key to success. Don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone and take on new challenges – you never know where they might lead you!

Looking back, what do you credit for your success to?

Looking back on my career journey, from my beginnings as a Judo athlete to my current role as a Senior Supervisor at GoDaddy, it’s an underdog story, but not the normal sports version, it’s stepping out from the sports world into the corporate world and succeeding. I can honestly say that embracing change and seizing opportunities have been the driving forces behind my success. By leveraging my transferable skills and maintaining a positive attitude towards change, I’ve been able to not only advance my own career but also play a crucial role in the development and success of my team members. It’s been an incredible ride, and I’m so grateful for all the experiences and people I’ve encountered along the way. If there’s one thing I hope you take away from my story, it’s this: embrace change, stay open to new opportunities, and never stop growing. You’ve got this!

Are you enjoying this series and want to know more about life at GoDaddy? Check out our GoDaddy Life social pages! Follow us to meet our team, learn more about our culture (Teams, ERGs, Locations), careers, and so much more. You’re more than just your day job, so come propel your career with us.

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Corporate reporting on climate and nature risks is increasing despite resistance from the Trump administration, which continues to deny the proven science behind climate change. In an address to the General Assembly of the United Nations on Sept. 23, as reported by Reuters in one of our Top Stories this issue, Trump “dismissed climate change as ‘the greatest con job’ in the world” and renewed his attacks on renewable energy while promoting continued reliance on fossil fuels.

Reuters also reported that UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres hosted a climate summit at the UN as he “tried to keep the world focused on continuing a global transition away from fossil fuels towards clean energy.” In June, Guterres was quoted saying “just follow the money,” highlighting the fact that US$2 trillion was invested worldwide in clean energy in 2024, compared to $1.2 trillion invested in fossil fuels. Investments in clean energy have increased about 70% in the last ten years.

While the US federal government is moving to eliminate reporting on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, widely recognized as a leading contributor to climate change, California is moving ahead with mandatory climate disclosure rules for companies doing business in the state. As reported in ESG News, California regulators recently published a list of 4,160 companies, including most S&P 500 firms, that must begin disclosing GHG emissions and climate-related financial risks beginning on Jan. 1, 2026.

ESG News reported that “60% of the named firms are headquartered outside California, meaning the rules will affect businesses with national and global operations.” In effect, the new rules “position California as a de facto national standard amid uncertainty over U.S. federal climate reporting.”

California’s approach to disclosing climate-related financial risks is closer to frameworks such as the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), widely used in Europe and Asia. ESG News also highlights that by mandating Scope 3 reporting, California is moving ahead of most U.S. regulators and placing pressure on companies to improve supply chain transparency.

While mandatory climate reporting has been the primary focus of regulators, corporations are also increasingly adopting standards for disclosure of nature-related risks. In another Top Story, the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) recently issued its inaugural Status Report which demonstrates significant progress in market practice and standard setter engagement on nature-related issues. According to TNFD, “climate change and nature loss are now widely acknowledged as challenges that demand an integrated response.”

TNFD’s Status Report showed that 620 organizations from over 50 countries or areas, with assets under management (AUM) of US$20 trillion, have publicly committed to getting started with nature-related reporting aligned to the TNFD recommendations, which were first issued in September 2023. Over 500 first- and second-generation TNFD reports have been published, and 78% of reporting companies have integrated the presentation of their climate and nature reporting.

The G&A team is closely following the rollout of new mandatory climate reporting in California and we are available to provide guidance on how to meet reporting requirements. We are also experts on various reporting frameworks including TCFD and TNFD, and can answer your questions on how to integrate these frameworks into your organization’s sustainability reporting programs. For more information contact us at: info@ga-institute.com.

This is just the introduction of G&A’s Sustainability Highlights newsletter this week. Click here to view the full issue.

In recognition of World Mental Health Week, AEG partnered with ComPsych to host a special employee webinar titled “Avoiding Burnout: Self-Assessment Methods and Strategies for Self-Care.” Held on October 9, 2025, the session reflected AEG’s ongoing commitment to promoting mental health and well-being in the workplace.

With burnout affecting more than 42% of the national workforce, the webinar was designed to help employees better understand and manage the pressures of modern work life. Participants explored the root causes of burnout, assessed their own levels of stress and fatigue, and learned practical self-care strategies to support long-term wellness.

The interactive session guided employees in creating personalized self-care plans that emphasized setting healthy boundaries, fostering balance, and rediscovering personal motivation. Attendees also had the opportunity to reflect on their own “why”—a key step toward finding greater purpose and fulfillment in both their professional and personal lives.

By partnering with ComPsych, AEG reinforced its dedication to fostering a culture that values mental health awareness, resilience, and sustainable success.

Tue, Oct 21, 2025 7:00 AM EDT

On Tuesday 21 October, join KPMG leaders who were on the ground at Climate Week NYC and who will be present at COP30 this year.

The session will explore what the latest developments mean for businesses, including:

• How business is navigating climate ambitions and geopolitical uncertainties
• Ways companies can articulate the financial business case for climate action
• How to mobilize climate finance in emerging markets
• Practical and strategic levers that support credible and actionable transition planning

Speakers to include:

• Simon Weaver, Global Head of ESG Advisory, KPMG International
• Maura Hodge, Sustainability Lead, KPMG in the US
• Nadia Montoto, Global Co-lead, Decarbonization and Transition Planning, KPMG International
• Cathy Chen, Associate Director, Infrastructure & Climate Finance, Emerging Markets, KPMG in the UK

Click here to register.

Tue, Oct 21, 2025 7:00 AM EDT

On Tuesday 21 October, join KPMG leaders who were on the ground at Climate Week NYC and who will be present at COP30 this year.

The session will explore what the latest developments mean for businesses, including:

• How business is navigating climate ambitions and geopolitical uncertainties
• Ways companies can articulate the financial business case for climate action
• How to mobilize climate finance in emerging markets
• Practical and strategic levers that support credible and actionable transition planning

Speakers to include:

• Simon Weaver, Global Head of ESG Advisory, KPMG International
• Maura Hodge, Sustainability Lead, KPMG in the US
• Nadia Montoto, Global Co-lead, Decarbonization and Transition Planning, KPMG International
• Cathy Chen, Associate Director, Infrastructure & Climate Finance, Emerging Markets, KPMG in the UK

Click here to register.

Tue, Oct 21, 2025 7:00 AM EDT

On Tuesday 21 October, join KPMG leaders who were on the ground at Climate Week NYC and who will be present at COP30 this year.

The session will explore what the latest developments mean for businesses, including:

• How business is navigating climate ambitions and geopolitical uncertainties
• Ways companies can articulate the financial business case for climate action
• How to mobilize climate finance in emerging markets
• Practical and strategic levers that support credible and actionable transition planning

Speakers to include:

• Simon Weaver, Global Head of ESG Advisory, KPMG International
• Maura Hodge, Sustainability Lead, KPMG in the US
• Nadia Montoto, Global Co-lead, Decarbonization and Transition Planning, KPMG International
• Cathy Chen, Associate Director, Infrastructure & Climate Finance, Emerging Markets, KPMG in the UK

Click here to register.

bv Carrie Browen

In our first blog post, we explored what defines a software-defined vehicle (SDV) and why it marks a turning point for the automotive industry. Now, we’re diving deeper into the architecture that enables SDVs. As the automotive industry shifts from hardware-centric designs to software-first platforms, a fundamental transformation is reshaping the vehicle from the inside out. But what exactly is changing in the vehicle’s architecture, and why is this shift so pivotal for the future of mobility?

To understand the journey toward fully realizing the SDV, it is helpful to look at the evolution of vehicle architecture and software integration. Keysight shares the view held by other industry leaders and consultancies, such as PwC, that the SDV evolution can be represented in levels ranging from Level 0 to Level 5, similar to the SAE framework for autonomous driving. The following table outlines the key levels of SDV maturity — from mechanically controlled systems to fully integrated, cloud-native ecosystems — highlighting how each stage builds upon the last in terms of architecture, capabilities, and business potential.

Why the Software Stack Is the Game Changer

As the industry advances along the SDV maturity curve, with many companies currently progressing from Level 2 to Level 3, or from Level 3 to Level 4, and leading players already operating at Level 4 and beyond, it becomes increasingly clear that software is no longer just a supporting element. It has become the central driver of innovation, competitive differentiation, and long-term value creation.

At the lower maturity levels, software typically enhances isolated functions. However, as vehicles evolve, software becomes the foundation of the entire vehicle experience, encompassing everything from core functionality and safety systems to user interaction and service delivery. Over-the-air (OTA) updates and modular software stacks enable continuous innovation, allowing automakers to roll out new features and improvements long after the vehicle has left the factory floor.

At the upper levels of maturity, vehicles begin to resemble digital platforms. They support app ecosystems, enable third-party integrations, and deliver highly personalized services. With real-time data at their core, these vehicles unlock predictive maintenance, usage-based insurance, and dynamic performance optimization. This shift also opens the door to entirely new business models, from feature subscriptions to data-driven services, all made possible by a robust, scalable, and service-oriented software architecture. This SDV platform is also the enabler to advanced safety and security capabilities, as well as for AI-based intelligent mobility concepts such as autonomous driving, robotaxi, and tele-driving.

The Legacy: Domain-Oriented Architecture

For many years, vehicles have been built using a domain-based architecture, where each functional area, such as infotainment, powertrain, body control, or ADAS, is managed by its own set of Electronic Control Units (ECU). These ECUs (sometimes +80 per vehicle) are tightly coupled to specific hardware and software, forming isolated domains.

This architecture relies on:

• Multiple ECU domains: Each domain contains several ECUs dedicated to specific functions
• Heterogeneous BUS systems: Communication within and between domains is point-to-point
• Cross-car wiring: Signals often need to travel across the entire vehicle, resulting in complex and heavy wiring harnesses (+50kg coper wires)

While this approach allowed for a clear separation of functions, it also introduced significant complexity and limitations:

• A high number of ECUs per vehicle, often with overlapping functionality
• Each ECU requires its own controller and dedicated firmware
• Redundant hardware and wiring, increasing weight and cost
• Limited flexibility for software updates and feature expansion
• High integration and maintenance costs due to fragmented systems

While domain-oriented architecture served the industry well in the past, it creates functional silos, limits scalability, and poses challenges for the software-driven future of mobility.

The Shift: Zonal and Service-Oriented Architecture

In contrast, zonal architecture reorganizes the vehicle’s electronics based on physical zones (e.g., front-left, rear-right) rather than functional domains. Each zone is managed by a powerful zonal controller that aggregates data from nearby sensors and actuators. These controllers are connected to a centralized High-Performance Computer (HPC) via high-speed, low-latency communication across the vehicle, like automotive Ethernet.

Protocols like CAN and LIN have historically formed the core of in-vehicle communication systems. However, as automotive networks evolve toward domain and zonal architectures, the limitations of these legacy protocols become apparent. Nowadays for SDV, 10BASE-T1S addresses this gap by offering a lightweight, cost-efficient Ethernet solution optimized for low-speed, high-node count applications — enabling seamless integration across ECUs and sensor networks. Enabling multipoint communication and supporting both deterministic and non-deterministic functions.

This hardware transformation is tightly coupled with a shift in software architecture — from function-specific implementations to a Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA). In SOA, vehicle functions such as navigation, climate control, or lane keeping are delivered as modular, reusable services that can be independently developed, deployed, and updated.

Key Components:

• High-performance computers: Centralized compute units for software execution and real-time decision-making
• Automotive Ethernet: Multipoint, High-speed, low-latency communication backbone with one TCP-IP
• Localized wiring: Sensors and actuators connect to the nearest zonal controller, reducing cross-car wiring
• Service-oriented software: Decouples software from hardware, enabling dynamic feature deployment and cross-domain communication and data sharing via standardized APIs

This shift to a zonal, service-oriented architecture brings a host of transformative benefits. By consolidating functionality into fewer, more powerful computing units, automakers can significantly reduce the number of ECUs in a vehicle. This not only simplifies the overall system architecture but also lowers costs and minimizes potential points of failure. The shift away from complex, cross-car wiring toward localized connections within physical zones leads to lighter vehicles and more streamlined assembly processes.

Centralized computing, supported by zonal architectures, lays the foundation for a more dynamic software environment, enabling rapid feature deployment and streamlined updates. This architecture also enhances scalability, making it easier to adapt core systems across different vehicle models and configurations. With modular, service-based software, development cycles become faster introducing CI/CD/CT workflow and agile enabling collaborative development, supporting continuous innovation and seamless integration of third-party services. Perhaps most importantly, this approach enables dynamic OTA updates, ensuring that vehicles can continue to evolve and improve long after they leave the production line.

Together, these advancements lay the groundwork for the software-defined vehicle, a platform that is not only intelligent and adaptable but also designed for continuous evolution in a rapidly changing mobility landscape.

Looking Ahead

This architectural shift is not just a technical upgrade — it’s a strategic transformation. Automakers must now embrace a new mindset: HW/SW separation with using commoditized HW and components, building platforms that are modular and scalable, secure and cloud-connected, and designed for agility and rapid iteration.

It’s not just about adding more software; it’s about reimagining the vehicle as a dynamic, updatable platform. In the SDV era, the software stack becomes the engine of innovation, differentiation, and long-term value. The future belongs to those who build for continuous evolution, where software defines not just features, but the entire customer experience.

In the next blog article of our SDV Series, we’ll explore the business challenges that come with the SDV transition and how organizations can actively navigate and shape this transformation to stay ahead.

bv Carrie Browen

In our first blog post, we explored what defines a software-defined vehicle (SDV) and why it marks a turning point for the automotive industry. Now, we’re diving deeper into the architecture that enables SDVs. As the automotive industry shifts from hardware-centric designs to software-first platforms, a fundamental transformation is reshaping the vehicle from the inside out. But what exactly is changing in the vehicle’s architecture, and why is this shift so pivotal for the future of mobility?

To understand the journey toward fully realizing the SDV, it is helpful to look at the evolution of vehicle architecture and software integration. Keysight shares the view held by other industry leaders and consultancies, such as PwC, that the SDV evolution can be represented in levels ranging from Level 0 to Level 5, similar to the SAE framework for autonomous driving. The following table outlines the key levels of SDV maturity — from mechanically controlled systems to fully integrated, cloud-native ecosystems — highlighting how each stage builds upon the last in terms of architecture, capabilities, and business potential.

Why the Software Stack Is the Game Changer

As the industry advances along the SDV maturity curve, with many companies currently progressing from Level 2 to Level 3, or from Level 3 to Level 4, and leading players already operating at Level 4 and beyond, it becomes increasingly clear that software is no longer just a supporting element. It has become the central driver of innovation, competitive differentiation, and long-term value creation.

At the lower maturity levels, software typically enhances isolated functions. However, as vehicles evolve, software becomes the foundation of the entire vehicle experience, encompassing everything from core functionality and safety systems to user interaction and service delivery. Over-the-air (OTA) updates and modular software stacks enable continuous innovation, allowing automakers to roll out new features and improvements long after the vehicle has left the factory floor.

At the upper levels of maturity, vehicles begin to resemble digital platforms. They support app ecosystems, enable third-party integrations, and deliver highly personalized services. With real-time data at their core, these vehicles unlock predictive maintenance, usage-based insurance, and dynamic performance optimization. This shift also opens the door to entirely new business models, from feature subscriptions to data-driven services, all made possible by a robust, scalable, and service-oriented software architecture. This SDV platform is also the enabler to advanced safety and security capabilities, as well as for AI-based intelligent mobility concepts such as autonomous driving, robotaxi, and tele-driving.

The Legacy: Domain-Oriented Architecture

For many years, vehicles have been built using a domain-based architecture, where each functional area, such as infotainment, powertrain, body control, or ADAS, is managed by its own set of Electronic Control Units (ECU). These ECUs (sometimes +80 per vehicle) are tightly coupled to specific hardware and software, forming isolated domains.

This architecture relies on:

• Multiple ECU domains: Each domain contains several ECUs dedicated to specific functions
• Heterogeneous BUS systems: Communication within and between domains is point-to-point
• Cross-car wiring: Signals often need to travel across the entire vehicle, resulting in complex and heavy wiring harnesses (+50kg coper wires)

While this approach allowed for a clear separation of functions, it also introduced significant complexity and limitations:

• A high number of ECUs per vehicle, often with overlapping functionality
• Each ECU requires its own controller and dedicated firmware
• Redundant hardware and wiring, increasing weight and cost
• Limited flexibility for software updates and feature expansion
• High integration and maintenance costs due to fragmented systems

While domain-oriented architecture served the industry well in the past, it creates functional silos, limits scalability, and poses challenges for the software-driven future of mobility.

The Shift: Zonal and Service-Oriented Architecture

In contrast, zonal architecture reorganizes the vehicle’s electronics based on physical zones (e.g., front-left, rear-right) rather than functional domains. Each zone is managed by a powerful zonal controller that aggregates data from nearby sensors and actuators. These controllers are connected to a centralized High-Performance Computer (HPC) via high-speed, low-latency communication across the vehicle, like automotive Ethernet.

Protocols like CAN and LIN have historically formed the core of in-vehicle communication systems. However, as automotive networks evolve toward domain and zonal architectures, the limitations of these legacy protocols become apparent. Nowadays for SDV, 10BASE-T1S addresses this gap by offering a lightweight, cost-efficient Ethernet solution optimized for low-speed, high-node count applications — enabling seamless integration across ECUs and sensor networks. Enabling multipoint communication and supporting both deterministic and non-deterministic functions.

This hardware transformation is tightly coupled with a shift in software architecture — from function-specific implementations to a Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA). In SOA, vehicle functions such as navigation, climate control, or lane keeping are delivered as modular, reusable services that can be independently developed, deployed, and updated.

Key Components:

• High-performance computers: Centralized compute units for software execution and real-time decision-making
• Automotive Ethernet: Multipoint, High-speed, low-latency communication backbone with one TCP-IP
• Localized wiring: Sensors and actuators connect to the nearest zonal controller, reducing cross-car wiring
• Service-oriented software: Decouples software from hardware, enabling dynamic feature deployment and cross-domain communication and data sharing via standardized APIs

This shift to a zonal, service-oriented architecture brings a host of transformative benefits. By consolidating functionality into fewer, more powerful computing units, automakers can significantly reduce the number of ECUs in a vehicle. This not only simplifies the overall system architecture but also lowers costs and minimizes potential points of failure. The shift away from complex, cross-car wiring toward localized connections within physical zones leads to lighter vehicles and more streamlined assembly processes.

Centralized computing, supported by zonal architectures, lays the foundation for a more dynamic software environment, enabling rapid feature deployment and streamlined updates. This architecture also enhances scalability, making it easier to adapt core systems across different vehicle models and configurations. With modular, service-based software, development cycles become faster introducing CI/CD/CT workflow and agile enabling collaborative development, supporting continuous innovation and seamless integration of third-party services. Perhaps most importantly, this approach enables dynamic OTA updates, ensuring that vehicles can continue to evolve and improve long after they leave the production line.

Together, these advancements lay the groundwork for the software-defined vehicle, a platform that is not only intelligent and adaptable but also designed for continuous evolution in a rapidly changing mobility landscape.

Looking Ahead

This architectural shift is not just a technical upgrade — it’s a strategic transformation. Automakers must now embrace a new mindset: HW/SW separation with using commoditized HW and components, building platforms that are modular and scalable, secure and cloud-connected, and designed for agility and rapid iteration.

It’s not just about adding more software; it’s about reimagining the vehicle as a dynamic, updatable platform. In the SDV era, the software stack becomes the engine of innovation, differentiation, and long-term value. The future belongs to those who build for continuous evolution, where software defines not just features, but the entire customer experience.

In the next blog article of our SDV Series, we’ll explore the business challenges that come with the SDV transition and how organizations can actively navigate and shape this transformation to stay ahead.

bv Carrie Browen

In our first blog post, we explored what defines a software-defined vehicle (SDV) and why it marks a turning point for the automotive industry. Now, we’re diving deeper into the architecture that enables SDVs. As the automotive industry shifts from hardware-centric designs to software-first platforms, a fundamental transformation is reshaping the vehicle from the inside out. But what exactly is changing in the vehicle’s architecture, and why is this shift so pivotal for the future of mobility?

To understand the journey toward fully realizing the SDV, it is helpful to look at the evolution of vehicle architecture and software integration. Keysight shares the view held by other industry leaders and consultancies, such as PwC, that the SDV evolution can be represented in levels ranging from Level 0 to Level 5, similar to the SAE framework for autonomous driving. The following table outlines the key levels of SDV maturity — from mechanically controlled systems to fully integrated, cloud-native ecosystems — highlighting how each stage builds upon the last in terms of architecture, capabilities, and business potential.

Why the Software Stack Is the Game Changer

As the industry advances along the SDV maturity curve, with many companies currently progressing from Level 2 to Level 3, or from Level 3 to Level 4, and leading players already operating at Level 4 and beyond, it becomes increasingly clear that software is no longer just a supporting element. It has become the central driver of innovation, competitive differentiation, and long-term value creation.

At the lower maturity levels, software typically enhances isolated functions. However, as vehicles evolve, software becomes the foundation of the entire vehicle experience, encompassing everything from core functionality and safety systems to user interaction and service delivery. Over-the-air (OTA) updates and modular software stacks enable continuous innovation, allowing automakers to roll out new features and improvements long after the vehicle has left the factory floor.

At the upper levels of maturity, vehicles begin to resemble digital platforms. They support app ecosystems, enable third-party integrations, and deliver highly personalized services. With real-time data at their core, these vehicles unlock predictive maintenance, usage-based insurance, and dynamic performance optimization. This shift also opens the door to entirely new business models, from feature subscriptions to data-driven services, all made possible by a robust, scalable, and service-oriented software architecture. This SDV platform is also the enabler to advanced safety and security capabilities, as well as for AI-based intelligent mobility concepts such as autonomous driving, robotaxi, and tele-driving.

The Legacy: Domain-Oriented Architecture

For many years, vehicles have been built using a domain-based architecture, where each functional area, such as infotainment, powertrain, body control, or ADAS, is managed by its own set of Electronic Control Units (ECU). These ECUs (sometimes +80 per vehicle) are tightly coupled to specific hardware and software, forming isolated domains.

This architecture relies on:

• Multiple ECU domains: Each domain contains several ECUs dedicated to specific functions
• Heterogeneous BUS systems: Communication within and between domains is point-to-point
• Cross-car wiring: Signals often need to travel across the entire vehicle, resulting in complex and heavy wiring harnesses (+50kg coper wires)

While this approach allowed for a clear separation of functions, it also introduced significant complexity and limitations:

• A high number of ECUs per vehicle, often with overlapping functionality
• Each ECU requires its own controller and dedicated firmware
• Redundant hardware and wiring, increasing weight and cost
• Limited flexibility for software updates and feature expansion
• High integration and maintenance costs due to fragmented systems

While domain-oriented architecture served the industry well in the past, it creates functional silos, limits scalability, and poses challenges for the software-driven future of mobility.

The Shift: Zonal and Service-Oriented Architecture

In contrast, zonal architecture reorganizes the vehicle’s electronics based on physical zones (e.g., front-left, rear-right) rather than functional domains. Each zone is managed by a powerful zonal controller that aggregates data from nearby sensors and actuators. These controllers are connected to a centralized High-Performance Computer (HPC) via high-speed, low-latency communication across the vehicle, like automotive Ethernet.

Protocols like CAN and LIN have historically formed the core of in-vehicle communication systems. However, as automotive networks evolve toward domain and zonal architectures, the limitations of these legacy protocols become apparent. Nowadays for SDV, 10BASE-T1S addresses this gap by offering a lightweight, cost-efficient Ethernet solution optimized for low-speed, high-node count applications — enabling seamless integration across ECUs and sensor networks. Enabling multipoint communication and supporting both deterministic and non-deterministic functions.

This hardware transformation is tightly coupled with a shift in software architecture — from function-specific implementations to a Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA). In SOA, vehicle functions such as navigation, climate control, or lane keeping are delivered as modular, reusable services that can be independently developed, deployed, and updated.

Key Components:

• High-performance computers: Centralized compute units for software execution and real-time decision-making
• Automotive Ethernet: Multipoint, High-speed, low-latency communication backbone with one TCP-IP
• Localized wiring: Sensors and actuators connect to the nearest zonal controller, reducing cross-car wiring
• Service-oriented software: Decouples software from hardware, enabling dynamic feature deployment and cross-domain communication and data sharing via standardized APIs

This shift to a zonal, service-oriented architecture brings a host of transformative benefits. By consolidating functionality into fewer, more powerful computing units, automakers can significantly reduce the number of ECUs in a vehicle. This not only simplifies the overall system architecture but also lowers costs and minimizes potential points of failure. The shift away from complex, cross-car wiring toward localized connections within physical zones leads to lighter vehicles and more streamlined assembly processes.

Centralized computing, supported by zonal architectures, lays the foundation for a more dynamic software environment, enabling rapid feature deployment and streamlined updates. This architecture also enhances scalability, making it easier to adapt core systems across different vehicle models and configurations. With modular, service-based software, development cycles become faster introducing CI/CD/CT workflow and agile enabling collaborative development, supporting continuous innovation and seamless integration of third-party services. Perhaps most importantly, this approach enables dynamic OTA updates, ensuring that vehicles can continue to evolve and improve long after they leave the production line.

Together, these advancements lay the groundwork for the software-defined vehicle, a platform that is not only intelligent and adaptable but also designed for continuous evolution in a rapidly changing mobility landscape.

Looking Ahead

This architectural shift is not just a technical upgrade — it’s a strategic transformation. Automakers must now embrace a new mindset: HW/SW separation with using commoditized HW and components, building platforms that are modular and scalable, secure and cloud-connected, and designed for agility and rapid iteration.

It’s not just about adding more software; it’s about reimagining the vehicle as a dynamic, updatable platform. In the SDV era, the software stack becomes the engine of innovation, differentiation, and long-term value. The future belongs to those who build for continuous evolution, where software defines not just features, but the entire customer experience.

In the next blog article of our SDV Series, we’ll explore the business challenges that come with the SDV transition and how organizations can actively navigate and shape this transformation to stay ahead.

HOUSTON, October 13, 2025 /3BL/ – The Baker Hughes Foundation on Friday celebrated the donation of a new delivery van to Kids’ Meals, the nation’s only healthy, free home meal delivery program for food-insecure pre-school aged children, by filling it with over 1,000 meals packed by Baker Hughes employees who also donated over 1,000 juice boxes. The van, funded by an $88,000 grant from the Foundation, will support Kids’ Meals in their mission to change mealtimes and lifetimes one lunch at a time by enabling the organization to deliver meals to more families in our communities. 

“Children are the future, and Baker Hughes is proud to support the next generation of innovators,” said Chairman and CEO Lorenzo Simonelli. “We believe every child deserves access to the support and resources they need to thrive, and we are honored to help further Kids’ Meals’ important mission to nurture children and their families.”

Baker Hughes has partnered with Kids’ Meals since 2020. Over the last year, employees have volunteered over 400 hours helping prepare, decorate and pack lunches. The Foundation is deeply committed to advancing health and education in the communities where Baker Hughes employees live and work and are proud supporters of Kids’ Meals.

The Foundation seeks to advance environmental quality, education and opportunity, and health, safety and wellbeing around the world by supporting organizations with shared values. This donation also supports Baker Hughes’ commitment to advancing the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, specifically SDG 2 to end hunger, achieve food security, improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture. 

“We are overjoyed that our Hope Provider now has the honor of driving the new Baker Hughes Foundation funded van while delivering meals,” said Beth Braniff Harp, CEO of Kids’ Meals. “Through their partnership, Baker Hughes Foundation is helping us continue our mission to end childhood hunger in Houston. This van is more than a mode of transportation, it’s a beacon of hope, and it means so much to us and the families we serve.” 

Serving 56 ZIP codes across Greater Houston, Kids’ Meals provides over 10,000 free, healthy meals to preschool-aged children each weekday, and when school is out, every child in the home up to age 18 receives a meal, totaling over 16,000 meals per day. To learn more about Kids’ Meals or how to support, visit KidsMealsInc.org. 

About the Baker Hughes Foundation:
For 30 years, the Baker Hughes Foundation has been a steward of charitable resources for meaningful community impact. The Foundation seeks to advance environmental quality, education, health, safety, and wellness around the world by supporting organizations with shared values, demonstrated leadership, evidence of impact, financial soundness, and the capacity to implement initiatives and evaluate their success. The Baker Hughes Foundation makes strategic philanthropic contributions, matches Baker Hughes employee contributions, and awards volunteer recognition grants for outstanding employee community service.

About Baker Hughes
Baker Hughes (NASDAQ: BKR) is an energy technology company that provides solutions to energy and industrial customers worldwide. Built on a century of experience and conducting business in over 120 countries, our innovative technologies and services are taking energy forward – making it safer, cleaner and more efficient for people and the planet. Visit us at bakerhughes.com.

About Kids’ Meals
In 2025, Kids’ Meals will deliver more than 3.4 million free, healthy meals to the homes of hungry preschool-aged children who face hunger due to extreme poverty. Since 2006, Kids’ Meals has delivered more than 18 million meals and connected families to vital wraparound resources to help end the cycle of poverty. Kids’ Meals is the only program of its kind in the nation delivering more than 10,000 free, healthy meals every weekday to 56 Houston-area zip codes. Visit www.kidsmealsinc.org, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. 

For more information, please contact:

Baker Hughes Media Relations
Adrienne M. Lynch
+1 713-906-8407
 adrienne.lynch@bakerhughes.com

Kids’ Meals Media Relations
Krystal Patout
+1 713-627-2223
kpatout@piercom.com