No other technologies have enhanced the functionality of cars in the last years as dramatically as information and communication technologies. Systems based on electronics provide drivers with maximum security, comfort, information and entertainment. Typically, these electronic systems are specified by the car manufacturer and then produced by the supplier. A model-based specification allows a more detailed information exchange between these partners, thus keeping misunderstandings to a minimum.
Development cycles become shorter and product quality increases.
The desired function for a control unit is hierarchically divided until its behavior can be described by a state machine. Hence, tomorrow's electronic car systems will provide enhanced functionality, be networked and interact with each other and with external services. Designing such systems requires a powerful means of structuring, describing and reusing the components of the car and the surrounding environment. Successful practice in this area encourages us to transfer OO technology to the modeling of embedded real-time systems. It has achieved broad acceptance in both industry and research.