Development software for E/E systems
PREEvision: A model for success
Successful technology transfer for the automotive industry
What began as a research project at the FZI is now an established solution for the automotive industry: PREEvision, model-based development software for electrical/electronic systems, was created as a prototype tool in a research project with Daimler AG and was further developed as a product by the research spin-off aquintos GmbH. Today, following its acquisition by Vector Informatik, more than 300 employees are working on the further development and implementation services of PREEvision, and several thousand engineers worldwide use the software daily.
Objective
Creating a powerful, model-based tool for developing modern electrical and electronic systems in vehicles – in response to increasing complexity, new safety standards, and the requirements of software-defined mobility.
Outcome
PREEvision – a model-based development tool for electrical/electronic systems (E/E systems) in vehicles. It currently supports engineers in the automotive industry worldwide in the comprehensive planning, modeling, analysis, and documentation of complex E/E architectures – from the initial idea to the production-ready wiring harness.
PREEvision: A model for success
Alternative drive systems, autonomous driving, high levels of connectivity and digitalization, and software-defined vehicles: electrical and electronic systems (E/E) in modern vehicles are becoming increasingly complex. The FZI Research Center for Information Technology launched an industry-sponsored research project to meet this challenge in 2003. Together with Daimler AG, researchers developed the prototype tool PREEvision that enables the model-based development of E/E systems.
From the FZI to a successful start-up: The founding of aquintos GmbH
Following the successful development and implementation of the concept tool in a prototype, Daimler sought a company that could continue the development of PREEvision. Two research scientists from the FZI Research Center for Information Technology and the University of Karlsruhe (now the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, KIT) decided to exploit this potential. They founded aquintos GmbH in 2005 and took over product development. The first version of PREEvision was released in 2007. Meanwhile, all major German car manufacturers and many international car manufacturers and suppliers work with the application.
PREEvision: A tool for developing modern E/E systems
PREEvision supports engineers in the development and management of complex electrical and electronic systems in automobiles. The software enables E/E architectures to be designed and documented in a uniform environment, from the initial idea to the finished wiring harness. Thanks to graphical modeling, complex systems remain clear, while standards such as AUTOSAR and ISO 26262 are taken into account. Variant management and end-to-end traceability simplify work and ensure consistent development processes. In this way, PREEvision contributes to the safe and efficient development of vehicles.
An innovative product prevails
aquintos achieved great success right from the market launch: PREEvision won the Embedded Award in the Software Tools category. As a comprehensive development environment, PREEvision meets the challenges of the software-defined vehicle and supports the entire E/E development process. The unique selling point was the centralized and holistic approach specifically tailored to the automotive industries – a solution that did not exist for E/E architectures at that time. The number of employees grew rapidly, and aquintos specialized in software for the model-based development of E/E systems.
Growth and integration in Vector Informatik
In 2009, Vector Informatik, a supplier of development tools, SW/HW components, and services for the automotive industry, acquired a stake in aquintos. At that time, the company already had 32 employees and a growing international customer base. In May 2010, Vector acquired aquintos in its entirety, integrated its development team into its “Process Tools” product line, and decided to use PREEvision as the basis for the further development of a comprehensive E/E backbone tool. In the years that followed, Vector invested significantly in this product idea, and PREEvision has now matured from a pure architecture tool into an enterprise solution that covers all essential use cases and supports all process models, standards, and procedures commonly used in E/E and software development.
Today: an integral part of automotive development
Today, more than 300 employees work on the further development and implementation services of PREEvision. Several thousand engineers worldwide use the software every day. What began as a research project at the FZI Research Center for Information Technology is now an established solution for the automotive industry.
The FZI as a launching pad for innovation
The success story of PREEvision shows how practical research can bring about lasting change in companies and industries. The FZI Research Center for Information Technology promotes technology transfer and supports researchers on their path to independence. This results in innovations with a lasting impact on the economy and society.
Are you interested in working with us? Get in touch!
Division Manager
Embedded Systems and Sensors Engineering
- +49 721 9654-156
- otten@fzi.de
- Headquarters Karlsruhe