From Code to Car: AI Powers the Next SDV Wave

Sonatus highlights AI-driven testing, diagnostics and OTA tools at CES 2026 as carmakers seek faster software development cycles

12 Dec 2025

Europe’s shift towards software-defined vehicles (SDVs) came into sharper focus at CES 2026, where artificial intelligence featured prominently in discussions on the next phase of automotive software development.

US-based software company Sonatus used the event to present AI-assisted tools designed to speed up vehicle testing, improve system diagnostics and manage over-the-air software updates. The company said such capabilities could help carmakers shorten validation cycles and deploy new digital features more efficiently.

Sonatus said its platform is now installed in more than 6mn production vehicles, signalling that software-led vehicle management is moving beyond pilot projects into large-scale deployment across the industry.

Automakers and suppliers are increasingly turning to AI as vehicle software grows more complex and development timelines tighten. Jeff Chou, co-founder and chief executive of Sonatus, said in company statements that AI is becoming more deeply integrated into design validation and continuous software improvement.

Partnerships are also shaping the shift. Sonatus has expanded collaboration with Nissan Technical Centre Europe and Bosch Engineering Group, reflecting a broader effort among manufacturers and technology suppliers to develop shared digital architectures.

Such partnerships aim to reduce integration challenges while ensuring systems meet evolving cybersecurity and safety requirements, which regulators are scrutinising more closely as vehicles become more connected.

The strategic urgency is heightened by global competition. Analysts frequently point to the pace of electric vehicle and software innovation in China, as well as the growing influence of US technology groups, as pressures pushing European manufacturers to accelerate their software capabilities.

Market forecasts project sustained growth for the global SDV sector over the coming decade, driven by connected services, advanced driver assistance systems and new software-based revenue models.

However, deeper use of AI also introduces new technical and regulatory questions, particularly around data governance, cybersecurity resilience and system safety.

For carmakers, the direction is increasingly clear: vehicles are evolving into upgradeable digital platforms, where software performance and lifecycle management are becoming as important as traditional mechanical engineering.