Matthias Pillin, CTO of Bosch Mobility, credits the strategic decision to decentralise software responsibilities as pivotal in preparing Bosch to meet the escalating demand for software-defined vehicles (SDVs). The shift involves leveraging Bosch’s expansive software talent base in India, a move Pillin highlighted at the Automotive News Europe’s Congress on June 12.
“Our journey involved not just hiring, but extensive training and competence development,” Pillin emphasised, reflecting on Bosch’s investment in over 24,000 software engineers in India. Under Pillin’s leadership, these engineers have evolved significantly, prompting Bosch to delegate them global responsibilities in critical areas like tooling infrastructure and the integration of artificial intelligence into software development.
“This marks a significant cultural shift for our German company,” Pillin noted. “While the initial instinct might have been to centralise operations in Germany, we chose instead to empower our global teams. It’s about nurturing their capability to independently manage these responsibilities.”
Bosch’s recent restructuring into Bosch Mobility underscores its commitment to supporting SDVs. Pillin outlined ambitious growth targets, aiming for EURO 80 billion (USD 86 billion) in sales by 2028, up from EURO 53 billion in 2022. “With 250 electronic control units (ECUs) produced annually, software development is ingrained in our operations,” Pillin remarked. “Our software is designed to operate seamlessly on any platform worldwide.”
Amidst an automotive industry undergoing rapid transformation, Pillin stressed the importance of collaboration. “The driving technologies shaping automotive are increasingly non-automotive,” Pillin observed. “Our focus is on delivering rapid value to customers, necessitating partnerships with key stakeholders such as chipmakers and suppliers.”
As Bosch continues to adapt its global strategy to meet the demands of SDVs, Pillin remains optimistic about the synergy between Bosch’s core competencies in Germany and the burgeoning expertise of its global software teams.