IBM is spearheading a major transformation in India’s automotive and mobility sector with its vision for software-defined, AI-powered vehicles. Drawing on its global “Automotive 2035” research and cutting-edge hybrid-cloud technologies, the company is charting a path for the industry’s next evolution toward connected, intelligent transportation.
A recent IBM Institute for Business Value study projects that nearly three-quarters of vehicles sold by 2035 will be software-defined and AI-enabled. The majority of auto executives surveyed now view software as central to brand differentiation, not merely as ancillary functionality. Moving from traditional static features, manufacturers are expected to deliver vehicles that evolve through continual updates and subscriptions, creating lifelong customer value through services such as over-the-air upgrades and enhanced connectivity.
IBM’s strategy emphasizes a complete shift in vehicle design and backend infrastructure. The company advocates a unified software architecture that embraces containerization and modular deployment via hybrid-cloud environments powered by technologies like Red Hat OpenShift and Linux. Such a framework enables automakers to develop, test, and deploy software across both vehicle on-board systems and remote datacenters consistently and agilely.
Central to IBM’s offering is its watsonx™ suite, providing AI tools tailored for automotive use cases—from real-time telematics and cybersecurity to over-the-air feature updates and autonomous driving support. This AI layer is bolstered by IBM’s hybrid intelligence framework, which supports model customization while ensuring the protection of proprietary data. It enables OEMs to validate, monitor, and tune AI-driven features on the move, all backed by watsonx governance controls.
IBM’s approach also underscores a cultural transformation within automotive companies. Moving from hardware-intensive development to iterative, software-centric models requires retraining engineers, adopting agile DevOps methods, and transitioning to cloud-native CI/CD pipelines. The company’s tools for systems engineering, change management, and digital twins aim to ease this paradigm shift.
Industry leaders have also highlighted the need to address new cybersecurity challenges. IBM advocates for zero-trust frameworks and advanced threat detection through integrated security platforms like QRadar, along with end-to-end encryption and vehicle security operations centers. These elements safeguard not only customer data but also the integrity of software updates and vehicle performance.
IBM’s global strategy resonates strongly in India, where digital mobility, edge computing, and regulatory emphasis on data-driven infrastructure are gaining momentum. IBM India executives note that while AI adoption is accelerating rapidly, many businesses struggle to scale—making hybrid cloud AI offers particularly relevant for the country’s evolving automotive and mobility industries.
By combining cloud, AI, and software-defined vehicle frameworks, IBM is enabling a future where cars are living platforms—continuously improving, personalised, and intelligent. As mobility converges with digital ecosystems, this vision positions India’s automotive sector to move beyond mechanical engineering toward dynamic, software-powered futures.
