The Vehicle Electrical System Workflow Forum (VES-WF) and the ECAD Implementor Forum (ECAD-IF) groups focus on current topics and issues related to the digitization along the process chain of physical vehicle electrical systems. The automotive companies and suppliers involved in the VES-WF define the ‘Vehicle Electric Container’ (VEC) as a complete digital product model and develop methods for cross-company, model-based development. The ECAD-IF is the platform for system providers. It supports vendors and users in implementing and testing solutions based on these standards through implementation guides and joint test rounds. The activities of the VES-WF and the ECAD-IF are closely linked and in constant dialogue with each other.
Last year, the VES-WF succeeded in adding a new facet to the applicability of the VEC model. In addition to the established XML schema, the VEC model will now be published as an OWL 2 ontology with a corresponding SHACL schema.
Publishing the VEC as an ontology opens up new possibilities and offers several key benefits, such as semantic interoperability, data integration and linking, and support for data spaces.
Semantic Interoperability: In contrast to the XML schema representation, which only defines the syntax, an ontology defines syntax and semantics. This ensures that different systems can interpret the data in a consistent and meaningful way, leading to better data integration and understanding. The VEC model and its documentation contain a wealth of semantic rules and definitions that cannot be formally expressed in a purely syntactic definition such as the XML schema. By using ontologies, we want to significantly reduce the likelihood of creating dialects.
Data Integration and Linking: Ontologies and RDF facilitate the integration of data from multiple heterogeneous sources by providing a common framework for linking and aggregating distributed data. We believe these are key factors in solving today's challenges, such as exchanging data for incremental changes, supporting distributed development systems, or creating cross-domain digital threads.
Support for Data Rooms: Industry trends and initiatives are pointing towards the cloud and data rooms. Ontologies are a key technology in this area. They enable more efficient sharing, integration and analysis of data or distributed data. The publication of the VEC as an ontology is our contribution to making data from the physical vehicle electrical system even more useful in the future.
It should be noted that the OWL 2 ontology is being released in addition to the existing XML representation and is not a replacement. Both versions will continue to exist side by side so that users can choose the best option for their needs.
This year's focus is on the upcoming 2.2 release, which is expected to bring significant improvements and new features. Another key area of work is to further establish the VEC across the cross-company value chain. The aim is to explore how the existing VEC can be more closely integrated into the overall value chain and how cooperation between the companies can be further intensified. There will also be an increased focus on improving marketing to clearly and convincingly communicate the added value of the VEC and its integration into the value chain. The aim is to increase awareness and acceptance of the VEC so that all stakeholders can realize its full benefits and potential. The VEC already includes forward-looking topics that ensure the standard can be flexibly integrated into future developments. This added value compared to the KBL should be further developed and clearly formulated. Last but not least, the group will continue to work intensively on improving traceability at the various stages of the value chain in order to increase the transparency of processes. To tackle these exciting issues, collaborating online using Teams has become the norm. The VES-WF also meets regularly each year for face-to-face workshops to discuss and work on the sometimes very complex and innovative content. Due to the individual travel restrictions, these face-to-face workshops are usually offered as a ‘hybrid’. The ECAD-IF works on topics in regular, bi-weekly team meetings.
Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions, comments or feedback. This is the only way to further refine and perfect the VEC.
Further insights into the digitization of the process chain of physical vehicle electrical systems, as well as opportunities for exchange and discussion, will be offered this year at the 'Bordnetze Digital' event, hosted once again by our partner ARENA2036 in Stuttgart, Germany. You can expect an exciting and varied program covering all aspects of digitization in the wiring systems industry. We look forward to welcoming you!
Registrations at: https://arena2036.de/en/event-reader/bordnetze-digital-2025-text
Are you interested in - or have you even become inspired by - the idea of further digitizing the process chain of physical automotive electrics? If so, then get in touch with us and become a part of the project group!
prostep ivip Contact:
Philipp Kremer, philipp.kremer(at)prostep.com
