Blog from October, 2023

Technical Discussions Gaining Momentum in COVESA
Steve Crumb posted on Oct 31, 2023

As a member-driven organization, COVESA serves as a community for discussing and aligning on essential technology approaches and for new ways of adopting or extending COVESA deliverables like the Vehicle Signal Specification (VSS).  During the Troy All Member Meeting in October 2023, a number of such discussions advancing COVESA's efforts to deliver common approaches to its members and to the industry at large for adoption. Not all discussions resulted in clear guidance, but in each case, progress was made in understanding options and approaches that should be considered in determining COVESA work outputs.

Common Vehicle Interface Discussion Gains Momentum

In the past year, the interest and efforts to define Common Vehicle Interfaces in-car to ease integration and interoperability for the benefit of consumers, automakers, and tech companies has grown strongly within COVESA.  In July, the Data Expert Group held a workshop to begin aligning the various thinking, efforts, and projects.  The alignment and discussion continued and gained momentum at the Troy AMM with a working session and the following member contributions and presentations (in order of presentation):

o   (GM Press Release)

There are plenty of interface technologies and solutions, the challenge is for OEMs and ecosystem partners to coalesce around these in a way that enables and fosters a united ecosystem.  We are on our way, please take part, collaborate and contribute.  The Common Vehicle Interfaces discussion takes place every Tuesday.  See the Community Calendar for details.

Incubating Projects in COVESA

One of the highlights of the COVESA event in October was the serious conversations about several new initiatives within COVESA. For several months, the interest in commercial and off-road vehicles and their need for a common data model has been discussed. The Commercial Vehicle Birds of a Feather (BoF) met and discussed practical cases for the use of VSS in commercial vehicles. They looked carefully at important topics like fleet range prediction, fleet blueprint and consent management.

In parallel, another group of stakeholders including Stellantis has been driving for a new group in the Vehicle Experience and Content areas, including vehicle commerce. 

Finally, a very interesting set of sessions revolved around road safety and how commonly described vehicle data can play a critical role in saving lives.

If you have any questions about these emerging projects in COVESA, please contact Paul Boyes, COVESA Community Director.

Member Profile: Stellantis
Traci Renner posted on Oct 07, 2023

With Trpko S. Blazevski, Global ICT & Digital - Global Digital Platforms and Head of Digital Innovation & Tech Scouting at Stellantis


What does your company do? What services, or products, do you provide?  

Stellantis NV (Stellantis), formerly Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV, is an automotive company, formed as a result of a merger with PSA Group. Stellantis is a constellation of 14 iconic automotive brands (Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Citroen, Dodge, DS, Fiat, Jeep, Lancia, Maserati, Opel, Peugeot, RAM, Vauxhall) and two mobility arms that are about more than transportation: they’re about moving people and making connections. As we transform into a sustainable mobility tech company, we are guided by the clear vision of our Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan, which paves the way for Stellantis to achieve carbon net zero by 2038 and be second to none in value creation for all stakeholders. We are leading the charge in electrification and software development, with cutting-edge technologies at the heart of our products and services. Fully committed to our customers and backed by partners that are leaders in their industries, we aim to develop, engineer, manufacture, and scale the best breakthroughs in all facets of sustainable mobility from autonomous, connected, electrified, shared, and pre-owned vehicles to micro-mobility, commercial vehicles, and even electric aircraft. With a community of more than 160 nationalities, industrial operations in more than 30 countries, and customers in more than 130 markets, we are among the most diverse companies in the world and able to unite people and ideas across borders and cultures. Our passionate, talented, and diverse teams support our iconic brands in providing freedom of mobility tailored to every need.


Why did you join COVESA and how long has your company been a member?

In order to further our global reach and leadership in industry collaboration that will propel the exploration of innovative solutions, approaches, standards, and relationships in this new era of mobility that will help change the way society moves. To further realize our company goal of, “Powered By Our Diversity, We Lead The Way The World Moves.” We have been an active member of COVESA for approximately 1 year and hold a seat on the COVESA Board of Directors.


What benefits does your participation in COVESA bring to your company and business? 

COVESA enables the efficient integration of solutions across mobility technologies and adjacent industries alongside tech scouting of emerging and upcoming industry technologies; and startups deal flow that enables that technology. 


Which COVESA collaborative project(s) or Birds of a Feather (BoF) is your company engaged in and why is that beneficial to your business?

Stellantis is currently involved in the In-Vehicle Payment SIG, Vehicle Experience Group, EV Charging Event Data Aggregation Project, and the Automotive AOSP App Framework Expert Group.

We are also exploring and considering more involvement with the Commercial and Fleet Vehicle activities forming in COVESA, as well as VSS and Data Standardization, Automotive Cybersecurity, and Simulation/Digital Twin/Automotive AI.


Our membership in COVESA offers invaluable networking and connections to industry leaders and the start-up community and helps Stellantis in forging long-lasting engagements to realize our mission.