Fueling Progress: Automotive goes open-source
Together with other leading companies and initiatives advocating for free and open-source software (FOSS), Bosch signed a Letter of Intent (German only) as part of the Strategiedialog Automobilwirtschaft BW (Baden-Württemberg) in November 2024. The aim is to strengthen collaboration in free and open-source software within the automotive industry in Baden-Württemberg (BW), Germany, thereby enhancing its competitiveness and sustainability. An expert paper (German only) has amongst other things highlighted a significant gap: small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) often lack the knowledge and structures necessary to effectively engage with open-source software.
The signees * particularly support the following goals:
- SMEs should be specifically targeted through offerings from a central point of contact and coordination, allowing them to learn about the benefits of FOSS development and, in the long term, implement processes and standards for efficient and legally compliant use. not just that, infrastructure
- Workshops and introductory information will be co-designed by the signees to address the specific needs of SMEs.
- Measures developed to sustainably strengthen FOSS applications and collaborations should be implemented. Legal foundations, funding measures, and the integration of FOSS-related topics into training and continuing education should be further explored for potential improvements.
The Letter of Intent marks a significant milestone in the commitment to fostering FOSS collaboration within the region and sets a precedent that other regions have yet to follow. “The state of Baden-Württemberg has identified a crucial future topic, but the real work begins now.” states Martin Schalljo, responsible project lead at “PD - Berater der öffentlichen Hand GmbH”, the in-house consultancy of the public sector. PD accompanied the Land BW in carrying out the sprint mission, in the context of which the Letter of Intent and the offers for SMEs were developed.
The centerpiece will be a new point of contact and coordination at the state agency e-mobil BW, aimed at promoting and facilitating knowledge exchange about FOSS, with the goal of building a community in Baden-Württemberg.
As a first step, ETAS, a member of the Bosch group, Porsche and Mercedes have developed an "Onboarding Kit" designed to enable SMEs get started with FOSS. This kit has been introduced in initial sessions with SMEs and will be made publicly available soon. Detlef Zerfowski, Vice President at ETAS, emphasizes that for Bosch, this initiative is not just about our own growth; it is about enhancing the competitiveness of the entire local industry. By empowering potential suppliers to understand the challenges and opportunities presented by FOSS, we can create a more robust and resilient supply chain.
Together, we can create a robust ecosystem that not only enhances the competitiveness of the automotive industry in Baden-Württemberg but also sets a benchmark for open-source collaboration in the global automotive landscape.
Engaging in this dialogue, is not merely reinventing the wheel; but adapting and translating existing concepts into a regional context, ensuring that they resonate with the local industry and culture. Bosch and ETAS are excited to be part of this transformative journey and are looking forward to the innovations that will emerge from the collective efforts of the partners involved in the realm of free and open-source software.
* Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labour and Tourism of Baden-Württemberg and Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Mercedes-Benz Group AG, Robert Bosch GmbH, University of Stuttgart for the Innovation Campus Mobility of the Future (ICM), Baden-Württemberg Chamber of Industry and Commerce (BWIHK)