CDC’s exterior view

Panasonic Automotive Systems has secured a cockpit domain controller (CDC) contract for Mazda’s redesigned CX-5, which debuted in Europe in December 2025 and Japan in May 2026, ahead of a global rollout. The unit centralises infotainment, head-up display (HUD) and instrument cluster on an updatable platform supporting over-the-air (OTA) updates within a software-defined vehicle (SDV) architecture.

VirtIO virtualisation technology enables identical software to run across different hardware configurations, reducing the overhead of adapting the platform to future vehicle programmes. A driver personalisation function automatically restores seat position, HUD settings and climate preferences based on individual driver profiles.

Panasonic Automotive Systems has become the first Japanese manufacturer to integrate the Unity 3D rendering engine into a production in-vehicle system. The integration enables real-time graphical display of vehicle data, including door status and surrounding environment information, through the instrument cluster and HUD.

The CDC adoption follows Mazda’s implementation of a new electronic and electrical (E/E) architecture on the CX-5, which required a full redesign of the human-machine interface (HMI). The platform replaces a distributed network of discrete electronic control units (ECUs), consolidating cockpit processing and creating a software foundation for ongoing updates after vehicle delivery.

Source: Panasonic