Automotive Over-The-Air Updates Market Forecasts to 2030 - Global Analysis by Update Type, Vehicle Type, Propulsion Type, Connectivity Type, Technology, Application, End User and By Geography

According to Stratistics MRC, the Global Automotive Over-The-Air (OTA) Updates Market is accounted for $6.5 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach $20.2 billion by 2030 growing at a CAGR of 20.7% during the forecast period. The wireless technology used to remotely update and upgrade a vehicle's software, firmware, and system settings is known as automotive over-the-air (OTA) updates. Through this method, automakers can enhance vehicle performance, add new features, and address bugs all without having customers physically visit their service centers. Over-the-air (OTA) updates improve the security and functionality of the car while keeping it up-to-date with the newest legal requirements and technical developments.

According to Gartner analysts, half of the top 10 global automakers will offer unlocks and capability upgrades via software updates by 2023. This prediction from a reputable technology research firm indicates the growing adoption of OTA update capabilities across major automotive manufacturers.

Market Dynamics:

Driver:

Enhanced vehicle performance

Automotive OTA updates significantly improve vehicle performance by enabling continuous software improvements and bug fixes without requiring physical visits to service centers. This capability allows automakers to enhance vehicle functionality, optimize fuel efficiency, and improve overall driving experience throughout the vehicle's lifecycle. OTA updates can also introduce new features and services, keeping vehicles technologically current and potentially extending their useful life. This driver is particularly compelling as consumers increasingly expect their vehicles to evolve and improve over time, similar to smartphones and other connected devices.

Restraint:

Network infrastructure challenges

The effectiveness of OTA updates heavily relies on robust and widespread network infrastructure, which is not uniformly available across all regions. In areas with poor or inconsistent connectivity, OTA updates may be slow, unreliable, or even impossible to deliver. This limitation can create disparities in vehicle performance and feature availability between different geographic areas. Additionally, the large size of some updates may strain existing networks, potentially leading to increased costs for both consumers and automakers. These infrastructure challenges can slow the adoption and effectiveness of OTA technology in certain markets.

Opportunity:

Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS)

As ADAS technologies become more sophisticated, they require frequent updates to improve functionality, address safety concerns, and adapt to changing regulatory requirements. OTA updates provide an efficient means to deliver these critical updates, ensuring ADAS systems remain current and effective. This capability is particularly crucial as the automotive industry moves towards higher levels of vehicle autonomy. The synergy between OTA and ADAS technologies could drive innovation and create new revenue streams for automakers through subscription-based services.

Threat:

Consumer privacy concerns

The increasing connectivity required for OTA updates raises significant privacy concerns among consumers. Vehicles equipped with OTA capabilities collect and transmit large amounts of data, including location information, driving patterns, and potentially personal data. There are concerns about how this data is used, stored, and protected from unauthorized access or breaches. These privacy issues could lead to consumer resistance or regulatory restrictions on OTA technology adoption.

Covid-19 Impact:

The COVID-19 pandemic initially disrupted automotive production and sales, slowing OTA market growth. However, it also accelerated the adoption of contactless technologies and remote services. The pandemic highlighted the value of OTA updates in maintaining vehicle functionality and introducing new features without physical interactions, potentially driving long-term market growth and innovation in remote vehicle management solutions.

The telematics control unit (TCU) segment is expected to be the largest during the forecast period

The telematics control unit (TCU) segment's dominance in the OTA market is driven by its critical role in enabling vehicle connectivity and data communication. TCUs serve as the central hub for OTA updates, managing the receipt and installation of software updates across various vehicle systems. As vehicles become increasingly connected and software-dependent, the importance of robust and capable TCUs grows. This segment's large market share reflects the automotive industry's focus on enhancing vehicle connectivity, enabling advanced telematics services, and preparing for future autonomous driving capabilities.

The firmware over-the-air (FOTA) segment is expected to have the highest CAGR during the forecast period

The firmware over-the-air (FOTA) segment is expected to have the highest growth during the forecast period. FOTA updates are crucial for maintaining and improving the core functionality of vehicle electronic control units (ECUs). The high growth rate of this segment is driven by the increasing complexity of vehicle software and the need for frequent updates to address security vulnerabilities, improve performance, and add new features. FOTA updates can significantly reduce recall costs and improve vehicle longevity by allowing automakers to address software-related issues remotely. As vehicles incorporate more advanced electronics and software-defined functions, the demand for efficient and reliable FOTA update capabilities is expected to surge, driving rapid growth in this segment.

Region with largest share:

North America's dominance in the automotive OTA updates market is attributed to several factors. The region has a high adoption rate of connected vehicles and advanced automotive technologies. Major automakers and technology companies in North America are at the forefront of developing and implementing OTA update capabilities. The region's strong focus on innovation, coupled with favorable regulatory environments supporting connected vehicle technologies, contributes to its market leadership. Additionally, North American consumers generally show high acceptance of new automotive technologies, driving demand for vehicles with OTA update capabilities.

Region with highest CAGR:

The Asia Pacific region is expected to witness the highest growth rate in the automotive OTA updates market due to several dynamic factors. The region's rapidly growing automotive market, particularly in countries like China and India, presents significant opportunities for OTA technology adoption. Increasing consumer demand for connected and technologically advanced vehicles is driving automakers to incorporate OTA capabilities in new models. Government initiatives promoting smart transportation and the fast-paced development of 5G infrastructure in many Asian countries are creating a favorable environment for OTA technology growth.

Key players in the market

Some of the key players in Automotive Over-The-Air (OTA) Updates market include Airbiquity, Qualcomm, HARMAN International, Bosch, Continental, NXP Semiconductors, Elektrobit (EB), Tesla, General Motors, Ford, Volkswagen Group, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Verizon, AT&T, Aptiv PLC, Magna International, and HERE Technologies.

Key Developments:

In September 2023, Airbiquity(R), a global leader in connected vehicle services, today announced a partnership with Tessolve, a leading hardware platform company for silicon and system productization for various market segments, including automotive, motorcycles, scooters, industrial IoT, semiconductor, avionics, and defense.

In January 2020, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. introduced the new Qualcomm(R) Car-to-Cloud Service, the company's first offering of an integrated, secure connected-car services suite for Qualcomm(R) Snapdragon(TM) Automotive Cockpit Platforms and Qualcomm(R) Snapdragon(TM) Automotive 4G and 5G Platforms. Leveraging the company's broad set of technology assets, the Qualcomm Car-to-Cloud Service is designed to help automakers keep cockpit and telematics systems up-to-date, and future-proof vehicles by delivering the flexibility needed to activate features at any time, helping automakers to keep pace with consumer technology trends despite the traditional automotive product development cycles.

Update Types Covered:

• Software Updates
• Firmware Updates
• Data Updates

Vehicle Types Covered:

• Passenger Vehicles
• Commercial Vehicles

Propulsion Types Covered:

• Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) Vehicles
• Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs)
• Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs)
• Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs)

Connectivity Types Covered:

• Cellular Networks
• Wi-Fi
• Satellite
• Bluetooth
• Other Connectivity Types

Technologies Covered:

• Firmware Over-The-Air (FOTA)
• Software Over-The-Air (SOTA)

Applications Covered:

• Telematics Control Unit (TCU)
• Electronic Control Unit (ECU)
• Infotainment
• Safety and Security
• Other Applications

End Users Covered:

• Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs)
• Aftermarket
• Fleet Operators
• Other End Users

Regions Covered:

• North America
  • US
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• Europe
  • Germany
  • UK
  • Italy
  • France
  • Spain
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • Japan
  • China
  • India
  • Australia
  • New Zealand
  • South Korea
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• South America
  • Argentina
  • Brazil
  • Chile
  • Rest of South America
• Middle East & Africa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • UAE
  • Qatar
  • South Africa
  • Rest of Middle East & Africa

What our report offers:

• Market share assessments for the regional and country-level segments
• Strategic recommendations for the new entrants
• Covers Market data for the years 2022, 2023, 2024, 2026, and 2030
• Market Trends (Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities, Threats, Challenges, Investment Opportunities, and recommendations)
• Strategic recommendations in key business segments based on the market estimations
• Competitive landscaping mapping the key common trends
• Company profiling with detailed strategies, financials, and recent developments
• Supply chain trends mapping the latest technological advancements

Free Customization Offerings:

All the customers of this report will be entitled to receive one of the following free customization options:

• Company Profiling
  • Comprehensive profiling of additional market players (up to 3)
  • SWOT Analysis of key players (up to 3)
• Regional Segmentation
  • Market estimations, Forecasts and CAGR of any prominent country as per the client's interest (Note: Depends on feasibility check)
• Competitive Benchmarking
  • Benchmarking of key players based on product portfolio, geographical presence, and strategic alliances