ETAS and National Instruments set up joint venture

Partnership combines software-defined platform from National Instruments with global test and validation solutions from ETAS

ETAS and National Instruments have signed an agreement to jointly design, build, and service pre-integrated Hardwarein-the-Loop (HiL) systems. The companies are pooling their strengths to optimize the testing and validation of automotive electronics software, including ECUs and sensors, to meet current and future customer requirements.

Management teams of ETAS and National Instruments together with Leandro Fonseca, Managing Director of ETAS NI Systems (back row, second from left), and Hans-Peter Dürr, Technical Director of ETAS NI Systems (back row, second from right).

The agreement will establish a closer partnership between two innovators with decades of experience in the automotive industry. By combining the software-defined platform and comprehensive I/O capabilities of National Instruments (NI) with ETAS’ expertise in developing and integrating HiL solutions, the partnership will deliver new testing capabilities. The goal is to meet customer needs in the automotive sector, which is evolving rapidly due to electrification and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).

ETAS and NI each own 50 percent of the joint venture, which will be headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany. The new company will become fully operational on January 1, 2020. It plans to employ 50 associates and scale for rapid growth.

“With the formation of ETAS NI Systems, a milestone has been reached for improving test and validation of automotive electronics software, including electronic control units and sensors, to meet current and future customer requirements,” said Friedhelm Pickhard, Chairman of the Board of Management of ETAS GmbH. “We have found a strong partner in NI thanks to its complementary component portfolio, strong brand, high quality products, and cultural fit.”

“The ETAS and NI teams’ capabilities, domain expertise, and global footprint create a unique opportunity to broaden our customer reach and help them solve the development challenges in the automotive industry,” said Eric Starkloff, NI President and Chief Operating Officer. “We have made great progress toward getting our partnership operational and look forward to serving customers’ needs.”

The systems offered by the joint venture will deliver efficient solutions that will enable customers to achieve shorter design cycles, reduced test times, and a faster time to market.

Author

Anja Krahl is Group Manager Brand Management, Media Relations & Digital Communication and ETAS Spokesperson.

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