Porsche is embarking on a remarkable journey towards becoming a fully electric sports car brand. As part of this ambitious transition, the company has announced the establishment of a groundbreaking software-centric division at its Nardò Technical Center in Italy. This strategic move aims to leverage the nearby pool of software experts and engineers, heralding a new era of digitalization that will enable advanced automated driving and other cutting-edge functionalities in future electric vehicles (EVs).
The Nardò Technical Center (NTC), founded in 1975, spans an impressive 700 hectares of land in Puglia, Italy, and is currently home to over 20 state-of-the-art test tracks and facilities. With a team of at least 185 professionals, the NTC offers world-class engineering services and conducts vehicle testing for more than 90 automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) globally.
In 2012, Porsche Engineering Group GmbH acquired the renowned “Nardó Ring,” which was subsequently renamed the NTC. Since then, the German automaker has been at the helm of this proving ground. Operating as a subsidiary of Porsche AG, the engineering group spearheads the development of future intelligent and connected vehicles, with a particular focus on software innovation.
To further drive its software development initiatives for upcoming EVs, Porsche has unveiled a brand-new division at the NTC. This division will undertake the development, establishment, and eventual implementation of a comprehensive software program.
According to Porsche AG, the newly formed division, located in Italy, will serve as a technology partner for software development in connected vehicles. Antonio Gratis, managing director at NTC, revealed that the division’s primary focus will revolve around the development of highly automated driving functions, vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communication, as well as connectivity solutions. Gratis elaborated on the significance of this initiative, stating:
“The automotive industry’s future hinges on digitally-enabled functions. With our new software division, we can directly develop and test these critical functions for our customers on-site.”
As the automotive industry hurtles forward into an era dominated by electric vehicles (EVs), the role of software and IoT connections has become increasingly vital. Recognizing this trend, Porsche’s NTC is evolving from its longstanding position as a renowned testing center into an integrated technology hub. This transformation will complement the ongoing development and validation processes undertaken by Porsche Engineering.
To facilitate the realization of this vision, Porsche’s new software division will open an office in the city of Lecce, which recently established a 5G network. This location is expected to offer a diverse talent pool comprising IT engineers, software architects, developers, and computer science graduates. Gratis expressed his enthusiasm for this move, stating:
“We are delighted to establish the software division in this prestigious area. We have deep-rooted connections to this region, its people, and their immense potential. We take great pride in knowing that the digitalization of the automotive industry will also pass through this territory.”
With the collaboration between Porsche’s expert software engineers and the cutting-edge facilities at NTC, the stage is set for the development of state-of-the-art solutions. These solutions will be rigorously tested on the tracks at the Nardò Technical Center, marking another significant milestone in Porsche’s relentless pursuit of electric car innovation.
