Johnson Controls Joins AUTOSAR as Premium Member

BURSCHEID, Germany, August 10 --

- Johnson Controls to Support Standardized Electrical-Electronic System Architectures

Johnson Controls, one of the world's leading suppliers of automotive interior systems, interior electronics and batteries, recently became a premium member of AUTOSAR (AUTomotive Open System ARchitecture). The organization is based on partnerships between major automakers and suppliers who are working to create an open industry standard for automotive EE (electrical-electronic) architectures. Johnson Controls has been part of the AUTOSAR development partnership since 2004 and has now upgraded its membership to premium member status.

Definition of software standards

The desire for more comfort and safety in cars accelerated the changeover from purely mechanical to mechatronic systems. As a result, the role of electronics in automotive interiors is steadily increasing - and with it the variety and complexity of electronic systems and their interconnectivity. Reliable interaction of electronic systems can be achieved by standardizing the EE-system architecture for all automakers. This is what motivated major automakers to found AUTOSAR in May 2003. Its core members today include BMW, Bosch, Continental, DaimlerChrysler, the Ford Motor Company, Opel, PSA Peugeot Citroën, Siemens VDO, the Toyota Motor Corporation, Volkswagen and various automotive suppliers at premium member level.

Johnson Controls has now upgraded its membership from associate to premium member status in order to actively contribute to the definition of AUTOSAR software standards as a voting member. Relevant areas within the vehicle are the vehicle electrical system, drive systems, chassis, comfort functions, safety systems, multi-media/telematics systems and the human-machine interface. The aim is to jointly define and establish a standardized software component specification by the last quarter of 2006. The process will take into account the interdependencies that result from a networked environment. This will involve standardizing underlying system functions, defining the integration of modules from different manufacturers with their interfaces and will include the maintenance of electronic parts and upgrades of software during the whole production cycle.

"By cooperating in three working groups, we are reinforcing our commitment to AUTOSAR and supporting the partnership with our extensive knowledge of software architectures", explained Michael Schmaul, Engineering Manager at Johnson Controls.