Today, this paradigm has changed irreversibly. The real engine of the modern automobile is software. And it is precisely at this turning point that Portugal emerges as an increasingly relevant player on the global map of automotive innovation.

I have been closely following this evolution, and there are companies that symbolise this structural leap better than any other. Critical Software is one such example. Born at the University of Coimbra, in apparently modest academic projects, it quickly caught the attention of some of the most demanding industries in the world. At a time when, in Portugal, there was almost no discussion of technological entrepreneurship, the company chose to focus on a domain in which error is not an option: critical systems.

This audacity has brought Portuguese technology to NASA, in space missions where the software's robustness is a matter of life or death. However, this same technical capacity would prove equally decisive for another sector undergoing profound transformation: the automotive industry.

Today, the automobile is a digital platform. It is characterised by code, remote updates, persistent connectivity, and increasing intelligence. In this context, the strategic relationship between Critical Software and BMW, through BMW TechWorks, is particularly revealing. It is not about outsourcing or isolated projects. It is a deep, integrated collaboration in which Portuguese engineering contributes to nearly all business areas of the German group, from infotainment systems to autonomous and automated driving platforms.

This model confirms a reality that many still underestimate. Portugal is not just a supplier of talent. It is a reference technology partner in critical sectors, with the capacity to deliver complex, secure, and scalable solutions globally. The transition to software-defined vehicles requires just that: rigorous engineering, a culture of quality, systems thinking, and the ability to adapt quickly.

Naturally, this transformation raises relevant challenges. The growing connectivity of vehicles puts topics such as cybersecurity, privacy, European regulation, and functional security at the centre of the debate. As automation advances, new questions arise about liability, interoperability, and integration with smart infrastructures. But here too, Portuguese engineering demonstrates maturity, anticipating problems and contributing to solutions in line with the highest international standards.

The case of Critical Software illustrates a broader point. It shows that Portugal is no longer merely a peripheral market, but rather a pole of technological value creation. Software is today the new engine of the automotive industry. A relevant part of this engine is increasingly being conceived, designed, and validated in Portugal.