RealThingks

What RealThingks does

RealThingks GmbH is a Germany-based private enterprise software firm that delivers AUTOSAR Classic and AUTOSAR Adaptive embedded software solutions to automotive OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers. Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Meerbusch (with a registered address in Düsseldorf), the company operates a Global Technology Center in Pune, India, and serves customers across Europe and Asia Pacific, including CARIAD, Continental, Mercedes-Benz, ZF, Vector, Eberspächer, Hanon Systems, Preh, Marquardt, Hirain, Kuster, ClearMotion, Delta, Sunwoda, Altran, TKE, and Kearney. Its stated delivery model is solutions-based development partnering rather than staff augmentation, anchored in deep AUTOSAR standards expertise via its development partner role in the AUTOSAR Consortium and the team's prior involvement in defining the standard.

The company's product and service portfolio centers on AUTOSAR stack configuration (Communication, Memory, I/O, Diagnostics, System services, MCAL drivers, Bootloader), ECU integration, end-to-end system testing under its proprietary RAFT automation framework, bespoke CDD and application SWC development adhering to MISRA C, ASPICE, and ISO26262, and advisory services for platform strategy, migration, and functional safety. Beyond services, RealThingks productizes the RealThingks SDK Model — a long-term platform intended to manage software and hardware variant complexity in large-scale automotive programs — alongside RAFT's pre-tested OEM-specific test suites. Leadership combines roughly a century of cumulative automotive, IoT, and infotainment experience, with CEO Peter Jakobsson (previously head of a $20M / 400-person AUTOSAR business unit) and SVP Nishith Shah leading India operations.

The business is structured as a privately held GmbH with no disclosed funding rounds, parent company, or external investors. Revenue derives from professional services engagements with major automotive OEMs and Tier-1s, addressing pain points around managing in-vehicle software complexity, enabling software reuse, accelerating innovation cycles, and meeting safety-critical compliance requirements for software-defined vehicles. Marketing and distribution are run primarily through direct enterprise engagement, the company website, and participation in AUTOSAR standards bodies and industry events. No pricing, public revenue figures, or commercial contract structures are disclosed.

Name

RealThingks

Legal name

RealThingks GmbH

Website

https://realthingks.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

RealThingks is a Germany-based engineering firm delivering AUTOSAR Classic and Adaptive embedded software configuration, integration, testing, and consulting services to automotive OEMs and Tier-1s across Europe and Asia Pacific.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Automotive Embedded Software (AUTOSAR)

NAICS

Custom Computer Programming Services (541511), Computer Systems Design Services (541512), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (5415)

SIC

Services-Computer Programming Services (7371), Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)

akta.pro primary industry

EDA Software Platforms (Digital Implementation, Verification & Signoff) (HDAHAFAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

CI/CD Pipeline Engineering & Automation (BPAEAKAB)

Keywords

• AUTOSAR solutions
• Automotive embedded software
• ECU development services
• Functional safety consulting
• Software-defined vehicles

Headquarters

HQ city

Meerbusch

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. AUTOSAR Solutions and Services: RealThingks provides AUTOSAR solutions including configuration, integration, testing, consulting, and development services to automotive OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers. The company operates on a solutions-based model rather than staff augmentation.
2. Custom Software Development: Development of bespoke CDDs (Complex Device Drivers) and application SWC (Software Components) for highly specific automotive purposes, including safe code development following MISRA C, ASPICE, and ISO26262 compliance.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

RealThingks provides AUTOSAR Classic and AUTOSAR Adaptive platform solutions for automotive ECUs, delivered as a development partner to OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers. Its core offering bundles configuration services (AUTOSAR layers, MCAL drivers, Bootloader), integration and testing via its proprietary RAFT framework, consulting (migration, functional safety per ISO 26262), and custom CDD/SWC development compliant with MISRA C, ASPICE, and ISO 26262, all under a solutions-focused engagement model rather than staff augmentation.

Product overview

RealThingks is a development partner of the AUTOSAR consortium providing AUTOSAR Classic and AUTOSAR Adaptive solutions through a services-based offering. The core product is AUTOSAR Solutions encompassing Configuration Services (for AUTOSAR layers, MCAL drivers, bootloaders), Integration & Testing Services (using proprietary RAFT framework), Consulting Services (migration, functional safety, component selection), and Development Services (custom CDDs/application SWCs). The company also offers the RealThingks SDK Model as a long-term platform for large-scale development programs. All offerings are delivered via a solutions-focused engagement model rather than staff augmentation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• AUTOSAR Solutions Core AUTOSAR Classic and Adaptive engagement offering for automotive OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers, bundling configuration, integration, testing, consulting, and bespoke CDD/SWC development into a solutions-focused engagement model rather than staff augmentation.
• Configuration Services Specialized AUTOSAR configuration service covering Communication, Memory, I/O, Diagnostics, System services, MCAL driver configuration (CAN, PWM, ADC, DIO, PORT, WDG, FEE/FLS, SPI), and Bootloader setup for automotive ECUs.
• Integration & Testing Services End-to-end ECU software integration and testing service using the proprietary RAFT automation framework with pre-tested OEM-specific test suites for network management and diagnostics stacks, enabling shortened testing timelines and a higher probability of passing OEM acceptance testing.
• Consulting Services Advisory engagement covering platform software strategy, AUTOSAR migration, component selection, functional safety (ISO 26262), and hardware/software optimization for OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers.
• Development Services Bespoke development of Complex Device Drivers (CDDs) and application Software Components (SWCs) for highly specific automotive purposes, adhering to MISRA C safety guidelines and ASPICE / ISO 26262 compliance processes.
• RAFT (RealThingks Automation Framework for Testing) Proprietary automation testing framework delivered by RealThingks that ships with pre-tested OEM-specific test suites for AUTOSAR stacks such as network management and diagnostics, enabling shortened testing timelines and a higher probability of passing OEM acceptance testing.
• RealThingks SDK Model Long-term development platform model for large-scale automotive programs that manages the inherent complexity of a wide variety of software and hardware variants, providing a customizable foundation for sustained multi-program AUTOSAR development.

Quantifiable outcome

• Shortened testing timeline with higher probability of passing OEM acceptance testing
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers17 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• AUTOSAR ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRealThingks is a development partner of the AUTOSAR consortium. The team has been involved with the definition and evolution of the AUTOSAR standard since its earliest days. The company participates in AUTOSAR standards bodies and groups, understands technical requirements, and knows key stakeholders.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• ETAS: ETAS, a Bosch subsidiary, offers AUTOSAR basic software (RTA-VRTE for Adaptive, RTA-CAR for Classic) plus middleware, tools, and engineering services. Direct overlap with RealThingks' Classic+Adaptive AUTOSAR solutions and Tier-1 customer base.
• Elektrobit (EB): Elektrobit, owned by Continental, provides AUTOSAR Classic and Adaptive software platforms plus integration and engineering services. It competes head-on with RealThingks in ECU software, functional safety, and SDV-related delivery to OEMs.
• KPIT Technologies: KPIT is a global automotive software services and product firm specializing in AUTOSAR, ADAS, and SDV. It is highly comparable to RealThingks in services DNA, customer segments (OEMs/Tier-1s), and the integration of Classic/Adaptive AUTOSAR expertise with engineering scale.
• Vector Informatik: Vector is the dominant AUTOSAR toolchain and embedded software provider for automotive OEMs and Tier-1s. It is the most direct competitor to RealThingks' configuration, integration, and Classic/Adaptive AUTOSAR services, with a much larger tooling product portfolio.

Broad incumbents

• Wind River Systems: Wind River provides embedded RTOS and middleware (VxWorks, Helix) widely used in automotive ECUs and zonal architectures, including AUTOSAR-adjacent solutions. Competes with RealThingks in embedded software platforms serving Tier-1s and OEMs, though across a broader portfolio.
• Harman International (Samsung): Harman, a Samsung subsidiary, delivers embedded automotive software including infotainment, cockpit, and ADAS platforms with AUTOSAR integration. Comparable as a large-scale automotive software services and platform provider to the same OEM base.

Others

• Infineon Technologies: Infineon supplies AURIX microcontrollers widely used in AUTOSAR-based ECUs and provides associated MCAL drivers and toolchains. Connected to RealThingks' AUTOSAR configuration and MCAL driver service offerings but operates as a semiconductor and tooling vendor, not a services peer.
• NXP Semiconductors: NXP is a major automotive MCU vendor whose S32K and S32G platforms bundle AUTOSAR MCAL and ecosystem tools. Related to RealThingks through the AUTOSAR stack layers it configures (MCAL drivers, bootloaders) but NXP is an upstream silicon and tooling supplier rather than a direct services competitor.

Emerging players

• TTTech Auto: TTTech Auto (now part of NXP/Apex.AI ecosystem context) provides safety middleware and AUTOSAR Adaptive solutions for SDV and autonomous driving. Comparable to RealThingks in the Adaptive/next-gen AUTOSAR space and targeting the same OEM safety-critical programs.
• Apex.AI: Apex.AI builds safety-certified automotive software platforms (Apex.OS) targeting AUTOSAR Adaptive and SDV workloads. Comparable as a specialist engineering partner competing for similar Adaptive-platform and integration engagements with OEMs like those on RealThingks' customer list.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about RealThingks