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July 22, 2026

Press Release — renco GmbH Launch (January 2026)

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JASPAR

Japan Automotive Software Platform and Architecture: an industry body whose SecOC configuration is standardized as AUTOSAR SecOC Profile 3.

UDS

Unified Diagnostic Services (ISO 14229): the diagnostic communication protocol used for ECU testing, configuration and key updates.

RTE

Runtime Environment: the AUTOSAR layer that connects application software components to the basic software (BSW).

SHE

Secure Hardware Extension: an automotive standard for a lightweight on-chip security module and key store, often used to hold the keys an HSM works with.

I-PDU

Interaction layer PDU: the application-level PDU that carries signals between ECUs in AUTOSAR communication. SecOC protects the Authentic I-PDU and produces the Secured I-PDU.

JTAG

Joint Test Action Group — Standardized hardware interface (IEEE 1149.1) for testing, debugging, and programming chips. Provides low-level access to internals, often targeted in security attacks.

AUTOSAR

AUTomotive Open System ARchitecture — Standardized automotive software architecture for scalable, reusable software across vehicle platforms. Defines layered components, communication mechanisms, and configuration methods.

ARXML

AUTOSAR XML — XML-based file format describing AUTOSAR software components, interfaces, and configurations. Standard data exchange format between AUTOSAR development tools.

AES

Advanced Encryption Standard — Symmetric block cipher standardized by NIST, encrypting data in 128-bit blocks with 128/192/256-bit keys. Core building block in automotive cybersecurity.

HSM

Hardware Security Module — Tamper-resistant hardware component securely storing cryptographic keys and performing crypto operations. Isolates security-critical functions from the main ECU processor.

FVM

Freshness Value Manager — AUTOSAR SecOC sub-module managing freshness values (counters) used to prevent replay attacks. Provides, tracks, and verifies freshness values for authenticated messages.

MAC

Message Authentication Code — Cryptographic checksum using a secret key to verify message integrity and authenticity. Confirms data is unaltered and from a legitimate sender.

CMAC

Cipher-based Message Authentication Code — MAC construction built from a block cipher, standardized as AES-CMAC. Widely used in SecOC to authenticate CAN/Ethernet messages.

ECU

Electronic Control Unit — Embedded computer controlling vehicle subsystems like engine, brakes, or infotainment. Modern cars contain dozens, networked via CAN, LIN, or Ethernet.

PDU

Protocol Data Unit — Data unit exchanged between network layers, containing payload plus protocol control info. Basic building block in AUTOSAR COM/PduR routing.

SecOC

Secure Onboard Communication — AUTOSAR module authenticating in-vehicle messages via freshness counter and truncated MAC. Protects against replay attacks without full encryption.

GB/T

Guobiao Tuijian. China's recommended national standards, including its EV charging connector and protocol.

Pt1000

A platinum resistance temperature sensor (1000 ohms at 0 degrees C) used to monitor contact temperature.

10BASE-T1S

A single-pair Ethernet variant for short, low-speed links, used by the Megawatt Charging System in place of powerline communication.

AFIR

Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation. An EU regulation setting targets and requirements for alternative-fuel infrastructure, including EV charging.

BMS

Battery Management System. The electronics that monitor and protect a battery pack, managing its charge, voltage, temperature and safety.

CAN

Controller Area Network. A robust bus standard that lets controllers and devices communicate without a central computer, widely used in vehicles.

DIN

Deutsches Institut fuer Normung. Germany's national standards organization.

DTC

Diagnostic Trouble Code. A standardized code stored by a vehicle's electronics to record a detected fault.

EVSE

Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment. The equipment that supplies electrical energy to charge an electric vehicle; in everyday terms, the charging station.

IEC

International Electrotechnical Commission. The international body that prepares and publishes standards for electrical and electronic technologies.

ISO

International Organization for Standardization. An independent body that develops and publishes worldwide technical standards.

NRMM

Non-road mobile machinery. Mobile machines not intended for use on public roads, such as construction and agricultural equipment.

RFID

Radio Frequency Identification. Identifying and reading data from a tag wirelessly using radio waves.

SAE

SAE International. A standards organization for the automotive, commercial-vehicle and aerospace industries.

TLS

Transport Layer Security. A cryptographic protocol that encrypts and authenticates data sent over a network.

VCU

Vehicle Control Unit. The central electronic controller that coordinates a vehicle's subsystems.

Press release

renco GmbH launches as independent engineering company, building on 15 years of electric vehicle system integration

Cologne, Germany, January 1, 2026 — renco GmbH today announces its establishment as an independent engineering company specialising in electric vehicle system integration and vehicle control unit (VCU) software development. The company continues the work of the same core team that has operated in this field since 2009, most recently as Dana Cologne Technology Center GmbH.

15 years of uninterrupted engineering experience

Renco's origins trace back to 2009, when the founding team established rational motion GmbH with a focus on EV prototype development and system-level electric powertrain integration. A defining milestone came through the development of complete electric powertrain control and vehicle software for a Formula E team across Seasons 2 through 5, one of the earliest and most demanding applications of EV powertrain control in motorsport.

From 2020 to 2025, the team operated as Dana Cologne Technology Center GmbH, expanding its capabilities into production programs, functional safety (ISO 26262), cybersecurity, and production-ready VCU software for OEM-level programs.

Today, as renco GmbH, the company offers the same engineering discipline and the same team, now operating independently with full focus on vehicle integration and validated, production-ready control software. As an authorised value-added reseller of Dana TM4, renco also supplies and integrates SUMO motor and inverter systems for commercial, off-highway, and specialty electric vehicle programs.

Engineering services

Renco supports programs where software correctness, functional safety, and hardware-level validation need to be built into the development process from the start. The team's in-house capabilities cover four areas:

VCU software development covers architecture, implementation, and validation through HIL testing. Automotive cybersecurity engineering follows ISO/SAE 21434. Safety-critical software development operates under ISO 26262, with full V-model support and safety analyses including FMEA, FTA, and FMEDA. Powertrain-in-the-Loop testing is carried out on renco's in-house PIL bench, rated at 250 kW continuous and 20 to 1000 Vdc, for software validation against real hardware before vehicle power-up.

Quote

"This is an exciting moment for everyone on the team. We are proud of what we built during our years with Dana, and particularly grateful for the depth we developed in functional safety and cybersecurity. Those competences make us stronger today. What matters most to me is that the team continues together into this new chapter. That continuity is the foundation everything else is built on."

— Carlos Eslava, Managing Director, renco GmbH

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