Funding

EFRE/JTF NRW funding context, relevance and expected impact of the OSxCAR project.

OSxCAR is funded through the EFRE/JTF program of North Rhine-Westphalia. The project addresses a central challenge in the automotive industry: the growing complexity and fragmentation of vehicle software – and develops an open, modular platform with direct transfer potential for the NRW region.

Why is OSxCAR funded?

Context

European suppliers and OEMs face a choice: rely on proprietary platforms from individual hyperscalers – or build an open, standards-based alternative. This is exactly where OSxCAR comes in.

"One binary, all platforms – from simulation to the target ECU."

Technical details can be found in the project overview and on the technology pages.

Schematic diagram: source code is compiled via WebAssembly into a portable binary that runs on different target architectures.
OSxCAR approach: Compile once, deploy everywhere

Relevance for NRW

Regional Impact

Sovereignty
European technology leadership in SDV architectures

Open standards instead of proprietary lock-in – building on W3C WebAssembly and AUTOSAR.

Jobs
Highly qualified positions in high-tech industries

New roles in software architecture, AI optimization and test automation.

Transfer
Adoption by SMEs and regional suppliers

Bergisches Land and OWL benefit directly through consortium partners and open results.

Climate
Green transformation through more efficient software

Up to 20% CO₂ reduction through AI-optimized network and software distribution in vehicles.

Funding Details

  • 🔹 Project Name: OSxCAR – Optimized Software-defined Car Architectures
  • 🔹 Program: EFRE/JTF NRW – NeueWege.IN.NRW
  • 🔹 Project Sponsor: Projektträger Jülich (PTJ)
  • 🔹 Funding Code: EFRE-20800271
  • 🔹 Duration: 06/2024 – 05/2027
  • 🔹 Consortium Lead: Aptiv Services Deutschland GmbH
  • 🔹 Consortium: 5 partners from industry and research

Transfer & Sustainability

Reuse & Connectivity

  • 🔹 Open standards (W3C WebAssembly, WIT) enable broad reuse
  • 🔹 Scientific publications at international conferences
  • 🔹 Connectivity for suppliers, integrators and further research projects

After Project End

  • 🔹 Industrial exploitation already anchored in consortium members' product roadmaps
  • 🔹 Long-term research collaborations between universities and industry
  • 🔹 Contributions to international standardization bodies (W3C, AUTOSAR)
  • WebAssembly
  • W3C WIT
  • AUTOSAR
Concept diagram of the OSxCAR testbench: data streams between reconfigurable hardware targets.
Open architecture for long-term reuse
The program NeueWege.IN.NRW (EFRE/JTF) funds collaborative projects from industry and research that drive innovation, digitalization and climate-neutral transformation in North Rhine-Westphalia. OSxCAR combines all three aspects: digital platform technology, AI-driven optimization and measurable energy efficiency in mobility.

Continue: Work Packages & Milestones • Project Overview • Consortium