Technica Engineering, a member of the KPIT Group and a specialist in automotive communication systems, along with KPIT Technologies, has announced the decision to make the full specification of SOME/IP (Scalable Service-Oriented Middleware over IP) openly available. The move is expected to support broader collaboration and faster innovation across the global automotive software ecosystem.
SOME/IP was originally developed within the automotive industry and has become a widely used middleware protocol for in-vehicle Ethernet communication. It is currently deployed in more than 40 million vehicles worldwide, enabling secure and high-speed data exchange between electronic control units, sensors, cameras, and cloud services. The protocol plays a central role in supporting software-defined vehicle architectures, advanced driver assistance systems, and connected vehicle features.
Until now, access to SOME/IP specifications was limited, which restricted adoption and open-source development. By releasing the specification under an open license, Technica Engineering and KPIT aim to make the protocol accessible to OEMs, suppliers, software developers, startups, and academic institutions. This is expected to shorten development cycles and support faster deployment of new vehicle software features.
As vehicles increasingly rely on Ethernet-based architectures, interoperability, cybersecurity, and scalability have become critical requirements. An open SOME/IP specification is expected to support consistent implementation across platforms and improve collaboration as vehicle systems grow in complexity across passenger, commercial, and specialized vehicles.
Commenting on the announcement, Anup Sable, Chief Operating Officer at KPIT Technologies and Managing Director at Technica Engineering, said the increasing complexity of vehicle software and network architectures requires open and accessible communication standards. He added that open access to SOME/IP would enable the ecosystem to innovate faster and support the development of software-defined vehicles.
Thomas Königseder, Chief Technology Officer of Technica Engineering, said the move removes long-standing licensing barriers and supports open-source adoption, which is essential for accelerating innovation and improving system safety and reliability.
Technica Engineering accelerates innovation across the automotive ecosystem by delivering end-to-end technology support for electric and electronic vehicle architectures—from design through validation. The company specializes in production-ready system prototyping, encompassing system architecture, communication, integration, and validation. This expertise is reinforced by industry-leading products for automotive Ethernet and vehicle validation. Headquartered in Munich, Technica Engineering operates globally with locations in Spain, Tunisia, and the United States, supported by a team of over 600 engineers.
KPIT Technologies is a global partner to the automotive and mobility ecosystem, enabling the transition to software-defined vehicles. As a leading independent software development and integration partner, KPIT helps drive a cleaner, smarter, and safer mobility future. With approximately 13,000 “Automobelievers” worldwide, the company brings deep expertise in embedded software, AI, and digital solutions to accelerate the adoption of next-generation mobility technologies. KPIT operates engineering centers across Europe, the United States, Japan, China, Thailand, and India, working closely with industry leaders at the forefront of automotive transformation.
