What are software-defined vehicles and what do Korea’s new standards cover?

SDV refers to vehicles whose core features and performance are managed and updated like smartphone software. The newly established recommendation provides technical standards for SDV development, while the report offers a common knowledge base for policy and technology planning.

Where were the world’s first SDV standards adopted and who helped develop them?

The recommendation and technical report were adopted at an ITU-T study group meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, last month. They were co-developed with the science ministry and two local telecommunication research institutes.

How widely are Korea’s new SDV standards expected to be used?

The ministry said the standards are expected to be used in some 194 ITU member countries. They are intended to help both governments and companies align SDV policy and technological development.

Korea establishes world's 1st standards for SDVs

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Summary

Korea has established the world’s first international standards for software-defined vehicles, the science ministry said Thursday. A recommendation and technical report co-developed with the ministry and two local telecommunication research institutes were adopted at an ITU-T study group meeting in Geneva last month. The standards are expected to guide SDV development and policymaking across ITU member countries.

Key Facts

The newly adopted standards are expected to be used in some 194 ITU member countries.
SDV refers to vehicles whose core features and performance are managed and updated like smartphone software.
The recommendation will provide technical standards for SDV development.
The technical report is meant to serve as a common knowledge base for governments and companies working on SDV policies and technology directions.

By Yonhap

Published Aug 6, 2026 3:02 pm KST

Seoul's autonomous taxi drives on a road in Anyang, Gyeonggi Province, July 8. Korea Times photo by Jung Da-bin

Korea has established the world's first international standards for software-defined vehicles (SDV), the science ministry said Thursday.

A recommendation and technical report co-developed with the science ministry and two local telecommunication research institutes were adopted at the ITU-T study group held in Geneva, Switzerland, last month, the ministry said.

The event is one of the global expert assemblies organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

SDV refers to vehicles whose core features and performances are managed and updated like smartphone software. The concept is considered a key foundational concept for next generation vehicles.

The newly established recommendation will provide technical standards for SDV development.

The latest report will provide a common knowledge base when governments formulate policies on SDVs or when companies set directions for technological development, the ministry explained.

The newly adopted standards are expected to be used in some 194 ITU member countries.

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