At its recent strategy meeting, the Steering Committee of the NDS Association conducted a focused discussion on the future positioning of NDS.Live and its role within evolving software-defined vehicle (SDV) architectures. The discussion centered on three interconnected dimensions: the required abstraction level of map interfaces, long-term accessibility and licensing models, and stronger integration into modern automotive software ecosystems.
As vehicles increasingly rely on service-oriented architectures, middleware platforms, and runtime-based environments, expectations toward map standards are shifting. It is no longer sufficient to provide structured data access alone; map standards must integrate seamlessly into complex software stacks and support scalable deployment across vehicle platforms. Against this backdrop, the Steering Committee evaluated how NDS.Live must evolve to remain technically relevant and strategically sustainable.
NDS.Live already provides well-defined functional interfaces for accessing map content. These interfaces form a stable and proven foundation for digital map integration in vehicles today.
However, the Steering Committee identified a growing demand for higher abstraction layers that reduce integration complexity within modern software environments. Developers increasingly expect APIs and SDK-ready interfaces that encapsulate complex data structures and allow direct consumption in service-based architectures.
The strategic direction under discussion does not replace existing NDS.Live concepts. Instead, it aims to incrementally extend the standard with higher-level access mechanisms that:
The focus is pragmatic: evolve without disruption and complement the current specification in a way that aligns with modern software engineering practices.
Beyond technical evolution, the Steering Committee addressed long-term framework conditions required to sustain adoption and industry relevance. A central topic was how to increase accessibility and strengthen the attractiveness of NDS.Live while maintaining the stability and intellectual property protection that characterize the association.
Several strategic options were examined, including:
These considerations require careful evaluation. Legal robustness, IP protection, sustainable financing of association activities, and the continued value proposition for NDS members remain essential parameters in any structural adjustment. The committee agreed that conceptual and legal assessments will be part of the next strategic phase before any concrete structural changes are defined.
To improve real-world usability, the Steering Committee also discussed closer alignment with existing software platforms and industry initiatives. The objective is to identify clear integration points with contemporary automotive software stacks, including middleware layers, cloud backends, and service orchestration frameworks, without compromising the manufacturer- and supplier-neutral standard.
In practical terms, this means enabling NDS.Live to function not only as a data specification, but as a seamlessly embeddable component within larger SDV ecosystems.
The strategy meeting marks an important step in defining the next evolution phase of NDS.Live. Over the coming months, the Steering Committee will further refine technical concepts, assess licensing and governance options, and evaluate integration strategies. The outcome of this work will shape the roadmap for 2026 and beyond.
The overarching objective remains clear:
NDS.Live shall continue to serve as a reliable, interoperable, and industry-wide accepted standard for digital maps aligned with the architectural realities of software-defined vehicles and the long-term needs of OEMs, suppliers, and technology partners.
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