Foxconn Software R&D Center Obtained DEKRA ISO 26262 Functional Safety Process Certificate

TAIPEI, Oct. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- DEKRA, a German certification body, issued ISO 26262 ASIL-D Functional Safety Process Certificate to the Software Research & Development Center (SRDC) of Hon Hai Technology Group (Foxconn). This certification manifests the quality and safety of development of software and products for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). Foxconn has been expediting the process of achieving influential presence of Software Defined Vehicles in the electric vehicle industry.

ISO 26262 is a globally recognized automotive functional safety standard that applies to the entire product life cycle of automotive products. The scope includes not only system and hardware levels, but also software-level product development as essential assessment indicators, such as software security analysis and failure analysis. A software developer must abide by the standard to prompt safe procedures of each component and lessen the risks of software failure so that the security and reliability of other hardware and systems would not be compromised subsequently. ISO 26262 also provides a dedicated identification system for the automotive industry to assess the Automotive Safety Integrity Level (ASIL). There are four levels - A, B, C, and D - with ASIL D being the strictest level of development process.

Foxconn has initiated an important long-term development strategy "3+3" for the Group. With electric vehicles selected as the leading industry in the "3+3" plan, Software Defined Vehicles (SDV) are put forward to lead the market. In response to the Group's strategy, Foxconn established the "Software R&D Center" in 2021 which focuses on software development, system design, and AI technology R&D. Its main use cases are targeting at vehicle applications and vehicle telecommunications. The Center is continuously scaling up and has become the R&D hub for the Group.

Mr. Eric Yeh, Senior Manager, Software R&D Center of Hon Hai Technology Group (Foxconn) pointed out, "Foxconn's vision is to create a cross-platform innovative solution for electric vehicles. To realize the ambition, automotive software and hardware must be seamlessly integrated in order to provide consumers with a safe and comfortable user experience. Consequently, the Software R&D Center continues to accelerate its investment and development of software for electric vehicles. It is also actively adopting the world-known ISO 26262 automotive functional safety standard to satisfy the requirements for development processes and management systems of international automakers. Foxconn has put in effort in the Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), and this earned them the ISO 26262 functional safety ASIL-D certification, presented by DEKRA. The certification represents that Foxconn Software R&D Center meets the standards of functional safety of software development processes and has the capability to serve customers with smarter, safer, and more reliable automotive software products."

Mr. Aaron Lee, Managing Director of DEKRA Taiwan, indicated that Software Defined Vehicles (SDV) are a critical issue on the development agenda of future smart vehicles, but this should be built upon a solid foundation of safety. The diagnosis of functional safety for software will also affect the performance of hardware. This is the reason why comprehensive implementation of ISO 26262 development process is necessary to make sure that both hardware and software function well under the internationally recognized functional safety standard, pushing smart vehicles and products toward an environment with safer standards.

DEKRA is a globally renowned testing, inspection, and certification (TIC) company, recognized by government agencies of the European Union (like German Federal Motor Transport Authority, KBA). DEKRA offers integrated solutions and certification for OEM manufacturers, Tier 1/ Tier 2 suppliers, and other technical service providers. DEKRA's services involve consolidated development in line with ISO 26262 Functional Safety and Cybersecurity, CSMS/SUMS certification under the UNECE R155 / R156 frameworks, maturity models of Automotive SPICE software development, certification, and testing of cyber security products. DEKRA is here to help companies effectively elevate the quality and standards of their process development and product certification.

About DEKRA

DEKRA has been active in the field of safety for almost 100 years. Founded in 1925 in Berlin as Deutscher Kraftfahrzeug-Überwachungs-Verein e.V., it is today one of the world's leading expert organizations. DEKRA SE is a subsidiary of DEKRA e.V. and manages the Group's operating business. In 2022, DEKRA generated sales totaling nearly EUR 3.8 billion. The company currently employs almost 49,000 people in approximately 60 countries on five continents. With qualified and independent expert services, they work for safety on the road, at work and at home. These services range from vehicle inspection and expert appraisals to claims services, industrial and building inspections, testing and certification of products and systems, also in the digital world, as well as temporary work. The vision for the company's 100th birthday in 2025 is that DEKRA will be the global partner for a safe, secure, and sustainable world. With a platinum rating from EcoVadis, DEKRA is now in the top one percent of sustainable businesses ranked.

SOURCE DEKRA Asia Pacific