QNX, a division of BlackBerry Limited, has released the India findings from its latest global research study. The study explores how regulatory complexity and software recalls are reshaping the development of software-defined vehicles (SDVs).
The research surveyed 1,100 automotive software developers across North America, Europe, and Asia, including 100 participants in India. The findings shed light on the challenges of long development cycles, integration hurdles, and the need for OEMs to rethink their software strategies.
Regulatory Complexity and Software Recalls Reshape Priorities
Developers face an increasingly complex regulatory landscape. In India, 26% of respondents reported project delays caused by compliance demands. This comes as more than 500 new regulations and legislative proposals related to in-car technology were introduced worldwide in 2024.
Top challenges cited by Indian developers include:
- Software update and OTA mandates (54%)
- Cybersecurity regulations (52%)
- Data privacy laws (44%)
- Functional safety standards, including ISO 26262 (38%)
These factors are reshaping development priorities. A striking 72% of Indian developers—the highest globally—say recent software recalls have significantly changed their approach. Nearly 40% described these changes as “major.”
Despite these hurdles, Indian developers remain confident. An impressive 99% said they believe they can stay compliant, the highest level of confidence worldwide.
Development Bottlenecks Threaten SDV Progress
Regulatory pressures are amplifying existing development bottlenecks. Indian developers cited long cycles (49%), integration complexity (47%), and regulatory compliance (45%) as their biggest struggles.
Only 31% rated their current development environment as “excellent” for productivity. Respondents noted that delays are often caused by regulatory hurdles (60%), hardware limitations (55%), and skills shortages (51%). This gap between consumer expectations and delivery timelines is a growing concern.
OEMs Urged to Focus on Innovation
Looking ahead, 85% of Indian developers—the highest globally—believe OEMs should reduce focus on foundational software infrastructure and instead prioritize application-layer innovation. This shift is seen as key to faster time-to-market and improved consumer experiences.
Cross-industry partnerships are also seen as critical. Almost every respondent (98%) said partnerships are vital to their projects, and 72% expressed strong support for collaborative development. These findings highlight the need for strategic alliances and smarter allocation of engineering resources.
AI Poised to Transform Development
The study also highlights optimism around AI. A massive 93% of Indian developers expect AI to play a transformational or significant role in automotive software within the next 3–5 years. They estimate that up to 43% of their current workforce could be replaced by AI tools by 2035.
Furthermore, 59% believe AI-driven personalization will be the defining SDV feature by 2030, again the highest among all regions surveyed.
QNX’s Role in Shaping the Future
QNX’s trusted foundational software underpins a wide range of automotive systems, from digital cockpits and ADAS to infotainment and domain controllers. This helps automakers bring innovations to market faster and at lower cost.
Raj Jain, Vice President Engineering and Head of QNX India, emphasized that AI offers great promise but success depends on where engineering teams focus their efforts. He stressed the importance of building the right partnerships and prioritizing innovations that directly impact the in-car experience.
Globally, QNX is trusted by leading OEMs and Tier 1s such as BMW, Bosch, Continental, Dongfeng Motor, Geely, Honda, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, Volkswagen, and Volvo. The company remains committed to helping automakers navigate change, accelerate innovation, and deliver safer, smarter vehicles.