HARMAN, a prominent subsidiary of Samsung Electronics and a leader in automotive technology, has taken a significant step by open-sourcing its complete connected services platform through the Eclipse Foundation. This move aims to accelerate the development of software-defined vehicles (SDVs) and promote collaboration within the industry. The platform, now known as the Eclipse Connected Services Platform (ECSP), is designed to support large-scale connected car deployments of up to 100,000 vehicles. It offers a range of critical functions, including reliable and secure vehicle-to-cloud connectivity, high-volume vehicle data ingestion and routing, vehicle and device management, user and identity management, streaming application enablement, and vehicle telemetry. These capabilities are essential for creating flexible, cloud-native vehicle architectures and enhancing in-vehicle experiences. Heiko Huettel, VP of Software Products at HARMAN, emphasized the importance of collaboration in advancing the SDV era. “Our work at HARMAN is guided by the belief that collaboration is the foundation for delivering truly scalable SDV solutions. By open-sourcing our connected services platform, we’re providing a robust foundation for others to build upon, speeding up development cycles, ensuring greater interoperability, and fostering a more dynamic, open ecosystem.” HARMAN joined the Eclipse SDV Working Group as a strategic member in the previous year. This group focuses on developing open-source software for in-vehicle and around-the-vehicle systems, including immersive in-cabin experiences. The contribution of ECSP to the Eclipse foundation further solidifies HARMAN's commitment to open-source initiatives and community-driven innovation. Mike Milinkovich, Executive Director of the Eclipse Foundation, praised HARMAN's industry leadership. “ECSP brings important new capabilities that significantly enhance the development of flexible, cloud-native vehicle architectures in open source. Its advanced support for connectivity, remote management, fleet operations, and data monitoring provides automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) with a powerful open-source foundation for delivering unique and differentiated in-vehicle experiences.” HARMAN encourages other industry players to join the Eclipse CSP initiative to help evolve the project further. The company is dedicated to investing in open-source communities, both with existing assets and through the contributions of its developers. The launch of ECSP represents a significant milestone for the automotive sector, which is increasingly moving towards software-defined functionalities. According to industry experts, this open-source approach can lead to faster innovation, better integration across various systems, and lower development costs. The platform's availability will also facilitate research and development, allowing smaller companies and independent developers to participate in the advancement of SDV technology. HARMAN, established in 1953 and headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, is a global leader in connected technologies with a presence in over 50 million automobiles worldwide. The company's portfolio includes renowned brands like AKG, Harman Kardon, Infinity, JBL, Lexicon, Mark Levinson, and Revel. HARMAN's workforce of approximately 30,000 employees spans the Americas, Europe, and Asia, driving innovation in audio, connected car systems, and enterprise solutions. The Eclipse Foundation, based in Brussels, Belgium, hosts over 410 open-source projects, covering a wide array of technologies from cloud and edge applications to IoT, AI, and automotive systems. The foundation supports a global community of more than 360 members and provides a business-friendly environment for open-source collaboration and innovation. By opening up its connected services platform, HARMAN is not only contributing to the broader automotive technology landscape but also demonstrating a commitment to transparency and shared progress. This initiative is expected to have a lasting impact on the industry, fostering a culture of openness and collaboration that could accelerate the adoption of SDVs and improve the overall driving experience.