PopcornSAR (CEO Kim Kap-hyeon) announced on the 8th that it has become a first South Korean company to become a development partner of AUTOSAR, which is a development group for software (SW) standard platform for automotive electronic components. It is going to go after foreign markets such as Japan and the U.S.
AUTOSAR is an open-type automotive standard software architecture that was established through famous automotive SW engineers in the world. It is beginning to expand as global automotive manufacturers have chosen AUTOSAR as the SW platform for electronic components.
PopcornSAR was issued AUTOSAR’s tool vendor ID (0x004F) last year and has become a first South Korean company to become AUTOSAR’s development partner. When a company becomes a partner of AUTOSAR, it can participate in a process of making specifications for standards.
PopcornSAR, which was established in 2015, was verified of its performance after making development tool packages for AUTOSAR. It changed these packages into SaaS (Software as a Service) and is providing them as a beta service.
Although demands for SW developers and tools are increasing due to increase in number of AUTOSAR-based SW for electronic components, it is difficult for universities and small and medium companies to approach as development tools are expensive. PopcornSAR has decided to see this as an opportunity and it is providing an environment for starting and intermediate developers at a low price. Out of system design, ECU (Electronic Control Unit) setup, and formation of codes that are needed for SW tools for electronic components, PopcornSAR is currently providing tools for first and second steps for personal and educational purposes at a price that is ten times cheaper than current tools.
PopcornSAR is providing beta services through its own SaaS site and is going to officially change its beta services as paid services. It is planning to add variety of contents such as online education and services for businesses on its site in the future.
It is also going to go after foreign markets by using SW’s advantage which is that it can be used by connecting to a site and provide English and Japanese services along with Korean service. It is going to advertise its products by participating in foreign exhibitions. It is also going to try to work with Japanese companies by utilizing personal network of CTO Chae Seung-yeop who is the founder of PopcornSAR. While working for eSOL from 2008 to 2010, CTO Chae became the first one in Japan to participat in a development project for AUTOSAR’s tools and also prepared bases that support services in Japan.
“5 to 8 developers are sharing a tool through single PC as currently tools are too expensive.” said CEO Kim Kap-hyeon. “Because we are providing our tools that are ten times cheaper than tools from our competitors, we are also going to go after small and medium companies and markets for education.”
Staff Reporter Mun, Bokyeong | okmun@etnews.com

Photo Image
<■Summary of PopcornSAR ▲Year of establishment: 1/1/15 (CEO Kim Kap-hyeon) ▲Business areas: ΔAUTOSAR tool ΔAUTOSAR-based ECU mass-production project (SW) ΔAUTOSAR consulting and education – product: SaaS AUTOSAR tool ▲Significant facts: Officially registered as AUTOSAR’s tool vendor and development partner ▲Number of employees: 9>