Overview
ISO 17978-2:2026 – Road vehicles - Service-oriented vehicle diagnostics (SOVD) - Part 2: Use Cases Definition is an international standard developed by ISO for the automotive sector. It defines and documents typical service-oriented vehicle diagnostics (SOVD) use cases, focusing on the abstract description of these diagnostic interactions. The use cases are presented in a manner that is independent of specific underlying technologies, enabling broad applicability and interoperability across various implementations.
This standard is part of the ISO 17978 series, which aims to standardize the diagnostic interface for modern road vehicles, especially in the context of evolving automotive electronics and high-performance computing architectures.
Key Topics
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SOVD Use Case Catalog
The document outlines a comprehensive set of 17 use cases relevant to service-oriented diagnostics in road vehicles. Each use case includes its name, required inputs and outputs, descriptions, and contextual examples.
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Abstraction from Technology
Use cases are described generically to ensure that they remain agnostic to the specific technology stack, allowing various manufacturers and developers to implement diagnostic solutions suitable for their systems.
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Diagnostic API Methodology
The use cases cover a range of diagnostic operations, such as discovery, authentication, fault management, data read/write, software updates, and bulk data handling, reflecting a modern, API-driven approach.
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Support for Vehicle Lifecycle
The standard supports critical lifecycle activities like configuration management, software updates, dynamic logging, and vehicle health monitoring, addressing the increasing complexity of connected and software-intensive vehicles.
Applications
ISO 17978-2:2026 facilitates the development and integration of advanced diagnostics in road vehicles using a service-oriented architecture (SOA). This is especially relevant for:
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OEMs and Suppliers
Automotive manufacturers and suppliers developing ECUs, vehicle networks, and diagnostics platforms benefit from a consistent, abstracted set of use cases for in-vehicle and external diagnostics.
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Tool Developers
Providers of diagnostic tester tools and aftersales service equipment can implement standard APIs and workflows, increasing their compatibility across vehicle brands and models.
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Fleet Management and Telematics
Fleet and mobility service providers can integrate diagnostic data collection, remote monitoring, and maintenance scheduling using standardized interfaces.
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Vehicle Software Updates
Secure and efficient methods for updating vehicle software, managing configurations, and logging are detailed, supporting over-the-air (OTA) update strategies.
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Development and Quality Assurance
Engineering teams use the defined use cases for test automation, logging, scripting, and simulation, streamlining the validation and commissioning of new vehicle features.
Related Standards
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ISO 17978-1:
Road vehicles - Service-oriented vehicle diagnostics (SOVD) - Part 1: General information, definitions, rules and basic principles.
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ISO 17978-3:
Road vehicles - Service-oriented vehicle diagnostics (SOVD) - Part 3: Application programming interface (API).
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ISO 20077 Series:
Road vehicles - Extended vehicle (ExVe) methodology, supporting broader connected vehicle frameworks.
Summary of Benefits
By adopting ISO 17978-2:2026, automotive stakeholders can:
- Improve interoperability and integration of diagnostic systems
- Reduce development and maintenance costs through standardized procedures
- Enhance security, data protection, and lifecycle management of vehicle diagnostics
- Keep pace with shifting automotive architectures, including HPCs and domain-based systems
- Enable faster deployment of new features and ensure compliance with recognized international practices
Leverage ISO 17978-2:2026 to future-proof your vehicle diagnostics solutions in an increasingly connected mobility landscape.