Service-Oriented Vehicle Diagnostics - SOVD

The Key to Scalable Remote Diagnostics for SDVs

Modern vehicle architectures are undergoing a fundamental transition from distributed, ECU-centric systems to centralised, software-defined platforms with high-performance computing (HPC). Being connected to cloud infrastructures, remote diagnostics capability is a must have for SDVs.

Rethinking Diagnostics for Software-Defined Vehicles

This evolution introduces a structural challenge for diagnostics: Traditional protocols such as UDS (ISO 14229) were designed for ECU-based systems and are not suited to address:

Hybrid architectures combining classic ECUs and HPCs
Software-related issues instead of hardware faults
Scalable remote diagnostics across vehicle fleets

Service-Oriented Vehicle Diagnostics (SOVD), standardised as ISO 17978, introduces a REST-based approach to access diagnostic functionality for the entire vehicle independent of underlying protocols and hardware.

With SOVD diagnostics becomes a scalable, backend-integrated vehicle capability, aligned with SDV architectures.

Key Benefits

Full support for classic ECUs and HPCs

Unified diagnostic access across legacy ECUs and next-generation compute platforms

Standardised remote diagnostics

Service-oriented interfaces enabling scalable and interoperable remote access

Enabler for SDV diagnostics

Foundation for continuous diagnostics, OTA validation, and data-driven aftersales use cases

Cross-industry adoption

Adopted beyond automotive, e.g. for the next-generation diagnostics in off-highway and agricultural domains

Get in touch with our SOVD standardisation experts for more insights

Why SOVD for Software-Defined Vehicle Diagnostics?

Challenge: SDVs introduce a hybrid architecture creating a gap between existing

Classic ECUs remain relevant for many vehicle functions
HPC platforms centralise compute and software execution
Traditional diagnostic protocols do not scale to software-driven systems and remote use cases

SOVD as the bridge: SOVD provides an abstraction layer that unifies both worlds

Encapsulates diagnostics of classic ECUs
Provides diagnostics and monitoring concepts tailored for HPC-based systems
Diagnostics becomes independent of vehicle topology and communication protocols

→ Learn more about how SOVD solves the challenges of hybrid architectures in our whitepapers.

Expertise

DSA combines standardisation leadership with practical implementation experience across the full lifecycle of vehicle diagnostics.

Initiator of SOVD standardisation in 2019
Leading contributor within SOVD standardisation
Proven hands-on experience in series programmes

Consulting: Diagnosing SDV architectures

Integration of classic ECUs into modern SDV platforms
Monitoring and diagnostics of HPC-based systems
Handling service-oriented vehicle architectures

Consulting: Impact of SOVD

Implications of introducing SOVD across the lifecycle Role and benefits of on-board testers
Implications for IT and backend integration

Training: Role-specific training programmes

Management Level: Strategic context and evolution of diagnostics (1 day)
System Architect Level:
SOVD architecture, API principles, and system integration (1 day)
Developer Level: SOVD hands-on incl. simulation and test sequence development (3 days)

SOVD in Practice: Engineering

SOVD server
Tooling for creation, validation and simulation

SOVD in Practice: Production

On-board tester replacing classic diagnostic testers
Full control over test rigs

SOVD in Practice: After-sales

Workshop-level remote diagnostics
Migration of classic vehicles to SOVD