GM Unviels Futuristic Ultifi Platform
GM’s new Linux-based Ultifi platform will help connect drivers and thereby reduce congestion and traffic collisions.
Earlier in the year, German automaker Volkswagen announced that it is working towards becoming a software-oriented automotive brand. Safe to say, soon all alternative-power vehicles will rely heavily on software for new functionality and features. With the introduction of its Ultifi platform, General Motors is the latest automaker to offer an end-to-end software interface. This will allow GM to add new features and enhance the user’s driving experience.
The new platform helps drivers stay connected and can receive over-the-air updates. This means General Motors can unlock features like valet parking and even the lauded Supercruise ADAS. The company developed its Ultifi platform entirely in-house. The automaker claims its new interface will allow customers to configure their vehicles as a part of their “digital life”. GM president, Mark Reuss shared his thoughts on GM’s futuristic platform.
“GM has decades of experience writing vehicle software, creating a solid foundation to build on,” said Reuss. He further added, “Now with Ultifi, we will be able to improve our software continuously, and deliver new features and apps to customers in a fraction of the time.”
The functionality of the Ultifi platform was based on GM’s advanced electrical architecture- the Vehicle Intelligence Program (VIP). General Motors can use Ultifi to develop software and applications more efficiently. This will enable fast deployment of new functionalities over the air.
In addition to a wide range of suites, the software will also give customers exciting personalization options.
Thanks to cloud-based connectivity, customers can also save their preferences on authenticated accounts which can then be transferred onto other Ultifi-equipped GM vehicles. The platform will also support functionality like facial recognition and will help customers adjust driver settings, to add extra caution in areas like school zones. Customers with smart homes can also program their vehicles to deactivate the security system when they approach.
The Ultifi platform is based on Linux software, and in the future GM might give access to third-party developers to further customize the interface as per customer demands. The software can potentially support Vehicle-to-everything (V2X) applications which will help cars communicate with one another to avoid congestion and traffic collisions.
GM vice president Software-Defined Vehicle, Scott Miller discussed the design and benefits of Ultifi.
“Increased flexibility and faster software development are two major benefits of this new technology,” said Miller. He further added, “Our in-house developers are designing Ultifi to maximize software reuse, which frees up more time to create value-adding features and services for our customers.”
Image Source: General Motors