ISO 17978-3:2026

Overview

ISO 17978-3:2026 – Road vehicles – Service-oriented vehicle diagnostics (SOVD) – Part 3: Application programming interface (API) – establishes a standardized application programming interface (API) for vehicle diagnostics. Developed by ISO, this document provides a unified approach for accessing diagnostics, measurement, identification, configuration, routine executions, I/O controls, and software updates for both traditional ECUs and modern high-performance computers (HPCs) in extended vehicles.

By standardizing the SOVD API, the communication and diagnostic processes across the vehicle lifecycle are streamlined, enabling consistent and scalable integration for engineering, production, maintenance, legal and technical inspections, and vehicle operation.

Key Topics

• Unified API for Diagnostics: The SOVD API provides common methods to diagnose both legacy ECUs and advanced HPCs, minimizing integration effort across diverse vehicle architectures.
• Access to Faults and Data: Key features include reading and deleting fault entries, retrieving environmental data, and accessing measurements and identifications of vehicle entities.
• Routine Execution and I/O Control: Supports running diagnostic routines, controlling I/O, and software functions based on vehicle state or diagnostic modes.
• Vehicle Configuration Management: Enables configuration changes related to equipment, regional requirements, customer demands, and variant coding.
• Software Updates: Facilitates encapsulation of manufacturer-specific update strategies, including Firmware Over-the-Air (FOTA) updates if available.
• Logging and Monitoring: Provides standardized access to diagnostic logs and operational information from HPCs.
• Comprehensive Lifecycle Support: The SOVD API is applicable to all stages of the vehicle lifecycle, from development to aftersales support and legal inspections.

Applications

The ISO 17978-3 API is relevant for a range of stakeholders in the automotive sector, including:

• Vehicle OEMs and Suppliers: Enables seamless integration and interoperability between components from various suppliers, fostering a service-oriented vehicle architecture.
• Tool and Diagnostic System Vendors: Simplifies tool development for diagnostics, measurement, routine control, and software updates by using standardized APIs.
• Maintenance and Aftersales Providers: Facilitates advanced diagnostics and remote maintenance activities, supporting efficient repair workflows and minimizing vehicle downtime.
• Fleet Operators and Inspection Agencies: Standardized access to diagnostic information improves the efficiency of regulatory and technical inspections.
• Software Developers: Supports both cloud-based and on-premise applications for vehicle data analysis and remote diagnostics.

Related Standards

• ISO 17978-1: Road vehicles – Service-oriented vehicle diagnostics (SOVD) – Part 1: General information: Outlines the fundamental principles and framework of service-oriented diagnostics.
• ISO 17978-2: Road vehicles – Service-oriented vehicle diagnostics (SOVD) – Part 2: Communication protocols: Defines communication requirements supporting the SOVD API.
• ISO 22900 (MVCI): Modular vehicle communication interface standard: Details protocols and interface models for diagnostic communications.
• ISO 15765-4: Road vehicles – Diagnostics on CAN: Covers diagnostic communication over Controller Area Network, relevant to legacy E/E architectures.

Practical Value

Adopting ISO 17978-3:2026 brings several advantages:

• Interoperability: A unified API framework ensures compatibility across suppliers and future-proofs investments.
• Efficiency: Reduces development and integration time for new diagnostic tools and services.
• Scalability: Supports mixed architectures with both legacy ECUs and next-generation HPCs, facilitating a gradual transition to service-oriented vehicle diagnostics.
• Lifecycle Coverage: Streamlines processes from vehicle development to end-of-life management.

Organizations seeking to modernize and streamline their vehicle diagnostics infrastructure will find ISO 17978-3:2026 essential for leveraging the benefits of standardized APIs in a service-oriented, connected vehicle environment.