A safe bet: why connected safety is taking over software defined vehicles

Safety inside vehicles used to mean seat belts and airbags. Today, these features still play a key role in keeping a vehicle safe. But they are not the only ones.

Thanks to sophisticated technology that keeps vehicles aware of each other and everything surrounding them, software-defined vehicles (SDVs) are making cars safer than ever.

This level of awareness is changing how drivers and passengers experience traveling, making journeys safer, smoother and more enjoyable.

Connected safety is emerging as a crucial innovation, shaping the future of vehicle safety and how cars communicate. But how does it work?

Software-defined safety

For decades, car design revolved around engines, metal and rubber. In recent years, software became a crucial component of cars, transforming them into complex, connected systems.

In fact, software-defined vehicles rely as much on lines of code as they do on fuel or batteries. With over-the-air updates, they enable features to be added or bugs fixed without ever visiting a garage, keeping cars constantly up to date.

But one of the biggest advancements in SDVs is connected safety, enabling rapid deployment of functions such as lane-keeping assistance or automatic emergency braking.

These features rely on real-time data from sensors inside and outside the car, allowing the system to adapt to changing conditions. The data is shared and analyzed continuously, improving safety with every update.

This means your car isn't just built to be safe—it keeps getting safer.

It's all about communication

The ability to communicate with so many different layers is what makes connected safety such a groundbreaking innovation. Software-defined vehicles can use networks to connect with other cars, road equipment and city systems.

A car driving on a highway can now warn those behind it about a sudden obstacle or traffic jam.

For instance, when cars share real-time data about hazards, lane closures or the weather, everyone on the road can get a warning and make safer choices, reducing the chances of sudden stops or unexpected dangers.

By passing this message to nearby drivers, the risk of crashes goes down and the flow of vehicles improves.

Connected cars can also communicate with traffic lights and adjust their speed to catch green lights, which could potentially reduce travel time. And with the support of advanced sensors, data analysis and artificial intelligence (AI), these cars can also optimize routes and predict traffic patterns, leading to more efficient use of roads and reduced congestion.

They also play a crucial role in the development of autonomous or self-driving vehicles. By constantly exchanging information with other members of traffic and infrastructure systems, they can navigate through complex road conditions and make quicker decisions.

Sharing is caring

What makes it possible for vehicles to know where they are, what’s ahead and even what other cars or road users are nearby, is location technology.

Detailed maps and live data streams, to be more specific.

Live mapping, real-time traffic conditions and routing services such as HERE HD Live Map, HERE Real-Time Traffic and HERE Routing enable vehicles to find the safest and shortest routes.

When icy patches, accidents, or heavy traffic are detected, drivers and even vehicles can receive real-time alerts, which can adjust speed or route.

And these maps are not static.

They are dynamic, changing as new data comes in, so vehicles always work with the most accurate and up-to-date information. This makes the roads safer not just for car owners but all who travel, from cyclists to freight trucks

Smarter cars for a smarter world

Connected safety goes far beyond the vehicle itself.

When cars and public transportation systems share data, city planners can gain access to powerful tools that enable smarter street design, optimized pedestrian crossings and traffic lights that support a smoother flow.

Urban challenges such as traffic jams can be better managed using real-time data, allowing authorities to prevent bottlenecks before they form. Less congestion translates to reduced idle time at stops, which minimizes fuel consumption while also cutting emissions, supporting cities in reaching their sustainability targets.

Emergency response also benefits from this level of connectivity, becoming faster and more efficient, as connected systems provide precise location and traffic information to first responders, a crucial component when every second counts.

Reinventing the wheel

The way cars connect with roads, each other and their environment is transforming everyday journeys, making connected safety a top priority in vehicle software design.

As technology continues to evolve, the integration of connected systems in transportation will only deepen, paving the way for smarter and safer mobility solutions.