Codethink Collaborate in DRIVE35 Project ASTech Software Defined Vehicle Technologies

Codethink announced its collaboration as a key partner alongside JLR and Arm in the Accelerated Software Defined Vehicle (ASTech) Project, with grant funding provided by the UK Government. The project will advance next-generation Software Defined Vehicle (SDV) technologies, strengthening the UK’s leadership in automotive innovation. 

The ASTech project will involve research and contributions towards JLR’s Next Generation Electric Vehicle Architecture, built on Arm’s automotive compute platform and underpinned by Codethink’s Trustable Reproducible Linux Operating System (CTRL OS) and Software Integration Factory. The initiative reflects the accelerating shift toward SDVs, driven by electrification and automation, where software increasingly defines vehicle functionality, safety, and long-term value. 

This collaboration unites deep expertise across automotive engineering, compute platforms, and safety critical software. It places three international companies headquartered in the UK at the forefront of SDV development and safety-critical automotive software, representing a significant milestone for all partners.

ASTech is supported through the DRIVE35 programme, which is delivered by the Department for Business and Trade in partnership with the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK and Innovate UK. The programme is part of the UK Government’s Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan, which outlines its commitment to a zero-emission future, with an unprecedented £4 billion of grant funding available to 2035 for automotive R&D, scale-up, and transformation.

Codethink brings more than a decade of experience supporting JLR and a proven track record of collaboration with Arm. Since 2016, Codethink has focused on bringing software, particularly Linux, to safety-critical systems through the Trustable Software Framework project. As part of ASTech, Codethink will deploy CTRL OS (Codethink Trustable Reproducible Linux), developed using the Trustable Software Framework (TSF), within our Software Integration Factory, a standardised machinery for the production of high-integrity critical software at scale. This supports safety, security, and long-term maintainability across the vehicle lifecycle

Paul Sherwood, Chairman of Codethink Ltd:

"The projects announced today demonstrate the UK’s determination to lead the shift to zero-emission mobility. By facilitating the UK Government’s DRIVE35 grants, we are turning world-class innovation into industrial capability. With our partners in DBT and Innovate UK, we are backing manufacturers, empowering SMEs, and strengthening the UK’s sovereign supply chain. 

"Codethink is delighted to be collaborating with JLR and Arm on this cutting-edge SDV initiative to drive UK supply chain innovation, applying the Trustable Software Framework and Codethink's Software Factory tooling to deliver JLR's SDV vision on Arm's Physical AI compute platform"

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Ian Constance, CEO, Advanced Propulsion Centre UK:

“This multi-million pound support package is more than an investment in technology; it is an investment in the people, skills, and companies that will define the future of clean transport. Together, we are building the foundations of a competitive, resilient, and sustainable automotive industry.”

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We are proud of the work already undertaken in this collaboration and we look forward to working closely with all the teams on this exciting new ASTech (SDV) project. 

Please feel free to contact Codethink if you’d like to learn more about our work within the Automotive sector and Functional Safety.