Schaeffler and Qorix Formed Vehicle Software Partnership
The companies have launched a joint effort to develop software-defined vehicle platforms for central computers.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Automotive — General
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Schaeffler and Qorix have announced a partnership to jointly develop and sell software-defined vehicle platforms. The collaboration combines hardware and middleware solutions for central vehicle computers.
Why it matters
As automakers consolidate control units into central computers, industry value has increasingly shifted toward software development. This collaboration aims to offer manufacturers a shared software foundation, reducing their reliance on proprietary technology stacks.
The Qorix middleware utilized in this platform meets the ISO 26262 functional safety standard. The collaboration relies on the Eclipse S-CORE open-source framework to facilitate code reuse across vehicle generations.
The players
Schaeffler
A global automotive supplier providing mechanical components, hardware, and integration services for vehicle motion.
Qorix
A Munich-based software firm that develops middleware for high-performance automotive computing platforms.
The details
Schaeffler contributes hardware, integration expertise, and cross-domain controllers, while Qorix provides middleware for deterministic communication and lifecycle management. The partnership also plans to extend their technical cooperation into the fields of robotics and industrial automation.
Timeline
Future joint products will be integrated into upcoming customer projects.
Roadmap
This partnership marks a significant step in the automotive industry's transition toward centralized electronic architectures managed by unified software layers. By prioritizing open-source foundations like the Eclipse S-CORE framework, the firms aim to challenge the dominance of proprietary stacks in vehicle design.
Drivers may see faster feature updates and improved reliability in future vehicles through more standardized software architectures. These platforms aim to streamline development, potentially reducing long-term maintenance complexities for connected vehicle systems.
The takeaway
The move highlights a broader trend where hardware suppliers must increasingly pair their components with sophisticated software to remain competitive. Automakers are seeking modular solutions that prevent vendor lock-in and simplify the complex integration required for modern central computers.
Further reading
For more on industry shifts, visit the Automotive — General section.
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