Modular Vehicle Controller Architecture for Rapid UI Iteration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle development processes face challenges in efficiently decoupling the base vehicle from the development platform, leading to specialized production components and limitations in iteratively improving user experience and user interface designs.

Innovation Solution

A modular control system architecture is introduced, allowing for the decoupling of the base vehicle from the development platform, enabling the use of non-production-ready components and facilitating rapid iteration of user experience designs, while maintaining compatibility with production vehicles through a gateway and zonal controllers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a modular control system architecture is used to decouple the base vehicle from the development platform, then the ability to rapidly iterate user interface designs and use non-production-ready components is improved, but the system complexity and integration requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveAbility to rapidly iterate user interface designsVSAvoidSystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system is divided into distinct modular components: a development platform controller that handles user interface and development functions, and a base vehicle controller that manages core vehicle operations. This segmentation allows independent development and iteration of user interface components without affecting the base vehicle system, resolving the contradiction by enabling rapid UI iteration while maintaining clear system boundaries that manage complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A gateway or interface layer is introduced between the development platform controller and base vehicle controller. This intermediary manages communication protocols and data exchange, allowing the development platform to use non-production-ready components while maintaining compatibility with the production base vehicle. The intermediary absorbs integration complexity, enabling rapid iteration on the development side without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If specialized production components are used for the development platform, then the functionality and performance are improved, but the manufacturing cost and component specialization requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveFunctionalityVSAvoidManufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The base vehicle controller is designed with universal communication interfaces and standardized protocols that work with both production-ready components and development components. This multi-functionality allows the same hardware platform to serve both development and production roles, eliminating the need for specialized production components in the development platform while maintaining reliable functionality through the universal interface design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the base vehicle is tightly integrated with the development platform, then the system stability and compatibility are improved, but the ability to independently update and iterate the development platform is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveSystem stabilityVSAvoidAbility to independently update

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The integration between base vehicle and development platform is made dynamic rather than static. Communication protocols and data exchange mechanisms are designed to be configurable and adaptable, allowing the system to maintain stable connections when needed while enabling independent updates when required. The dynamic interface can switch between tight integration modes for stability and loose coupling modes for independent iteration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Productivity

If non-production-ready components are used in the development platform, then the iteration speed and design flexibility are improved, but the reliability and consistency with production vehicles may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveIteration speedVSAvoidConsistency with production vehicles

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The development platform uses virtual models and simulated interfaces that copy the expected behavior of production vehicle components. This allows developers to iterate rapidly using non-production-ready physical components while the virtual copies ensure consistency with production vehicle expectations. The copying approach maintains reliability by preserving the interface contract and communication protocols even when physical components are in development mode.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS12545105B2Modular microcontroller architecture

Publication Date: 2026.02.10 RIVIAN HOLDINGS LLC

AI summary

A modular control system is provided. The system can include a modular control system configured to connect to a vehicle control system of a base vehicle. The modular control system can include a main body controller connected, via a first link, with the vehicle control system. The modular control system can include a display controller connected with the main body controller. The main body controller can receive a first trigger, over the first link, indicative of a condition of the base vehicle. The main body controller can convey, via the display controller, an output of the condition to a display.