Software-defined vehicles sit at the crossroads of automotive and software development – two fields where, sadly, women have historically been underrepresented. The good news is that this convergence presents a unique opportunity to bridge the gender gap by joining forces, sharing experiences, and uniting talents from both domains.
Automotive and software development share a common trait: compared to other scientific and technological domains, both are relatively young fields that have greatly benefitted from the contributions of women inventors and pioneers in their early days. So why not reflect on the achievements of these early days and learn from them?
7 Early Female Trailblazers in Automotive Innovation
The history of the automotive industry is often told through the lens of iconic vehicles, groundbreaking technologies, and legendary male inventors. Yet, women have played a vital role in shaping the evolution of mobility – contributing innovation, creativity, and determination to an industry traditionally dominated by men. A compelling write-up on the BMW blog (in German) highlights some of the remarkable women who have significantly shaped the automotive industry.
Women’s contributions to automotive innovation date back to the very beginnings of the industry. Let’s spotlight seven inspiring women whose impact continues to resonate in the automotive world and beyond.
- Bertha Benz, wife of Karl Benz, took a groundbreaking journey in 1888, driving the first motor car over a long distance. This not only demonstrated the practicality of the automobile but also catalysed its acceptance by the public. Her journey, marked by ingenuity and resilience, exemplified the importance of women’s involvement in showcasing and advancing new technologies.
- At this time of the year, who would want to drive a car without a heating system? Well guess who invented it – right, it was not a male innovator! Margaret A. Wilcox debuted her car heating technology as early as 1893, when her concept was patented. Her invention used heat produced by cars' internal combustion engines, directing warm air into the passenger compartment. Thank you, Ms. Wilcox, for making the car a more comfortable and inviting space!
- Another major contribution to driving comfort are windshield wipers. The modern wipers owe much to the contributions of two pivotal figures in the automotive industry:
- Mary Anderson invented mechanical windshield wipers and was granted a 17-year patent in 1903. However, she was unable to turn her idea into a commercial success – the cleaning device was not deemed necessary by the company she tried to sell the rights to.
- Charlotte Bridgwood invented the first electric windshield wiper in 1917, revolutionising driver safety. While her invention initially received limited commercial success, it paved the way for one of the most essential components in automotive safety today.
- In 1909, pioneering racing car driver Dorothy Levitt published a handbook for women drivers, The Woman and the Car. In it, she recommends using a mirror to observe the traffic behind one’s own car. This idea later inspired the invention of the rearview mirror.
- Similar to Hedy Lamarr, who co-invented the foundation of modern WiFi and Bluetooth technology, Florence Lawrence (1886-1938) was both a gifted film actress and an astute inventor. She developed the precursor to the modern turn signal and the first mechanical brake. Unfortunately, she received no credit or financial recognition for these groundbreaking innovations, which seems to be a recurring theme among many women inventors in the automotive industry, whose contributions we now often take for granted.
- Did you know that Kevlar was also invented by a woman? In 1968, Stephanie Kwolek, a Polish-American scientist, filed a patent for the synthetic fibre that would revolutionise the automotive industry. She received numerous prestigious awards for her invention, including DuPont’s Lavoisier Medal and the National Medal of Technology. She was also included in the National Inventors Hall of Fame. With Kevlar now used in over 200 applications, Kwolek’s influence extends far beyond the automotive industry.
Women’s Leadership in Computing and Automotive Software
As the automotive industry transitions into the era of software-defined vehicles, the role of women in computing becomes even more significant. The pioneering efforts of figures like Ada Lovelace, often regarded as the first computer programmer, laid the groundwork for the integration of software in modern vehicles. Later, Grace Hopper’s contributions to programming languages and systems continue to influence automotive software engineering. In the 1960s, Margaret Hamilton coined the term "software engineering" and played a pivotal role in creating the software that ensured the success of the Apollo 11 moon landing. In recent years, the iconic 1969 photo of her – a petite woman standing beside the towering stack of paper containing the Apollo code – went viral on social media.
Today, women in computing and software development are driving advancements in autonomous driving, vehicle connectivity, and sustainable mobility solutions. Their expertise bridges the gap between hardware and software, enabling cars to become more intelligent, safe, and eco-friendly.
Today’s Women Networks in Automotive and SDVs
Despite the significant contributions women have made to the automotive industry, they remain underrepresented in automotive – and SDV – leadership today. While there are notable exceptions, such as Mary Barra, CEO of General Motors, or Linda Zhang, chief engineer behind Ford’s all-electric F-150 Lightning, the majority of automakers are still predominantly led by men. This is also surprising in the sense that women influence 85% of car buying decisions and are 62% of car buyers, according to a Forbes article that investigates the reasons for the absence of women in the automotive industry (spoiler: many of them are related to company culture and social structures).
Fortunately, numerous professional networks now exist where women in the automotive industry support and empower one another while also working to attract new female talent. Organisations and initiatives aimed at fostering diversity and inclusion – such as mentorship programs, scholarships, and community-building events – are critical to breaking barriers and encouraging young women to pursue careers in automotive.
Here are just a few examples:
- Women Automotive Network: https://womenautomotivenetwork.com/en-eu
- Women in Automotive: https://womeninautomotive.com/
- Automotive Women's Alliance Foundation https://awafoundation.org/
- Women Automotive Technology: https://www.womenautotech.org/
- Amazing Women in Automotive: https://amazingwia.com/
Breaking Barriers and Building Diversity Through Open Source
Open source initiatives, such as the Eclipse Software-Defined Vehicle Working Group’s outreach efforts, highlight the value of diverse perspectives in driving innovation. By design, open source fosters a level playing field – outside the unwritten rules and behavioural patterns of traditional corporate culture – enabling the industry to tackle global challenges more effectively and address the needs of a diverse consumer base.
Proactive initiatives are essential for encouraging more women to join the automotive and software industries, which is why the Eclipse Foundation actively supports and contributes to the annual Women Automotive Summit Europe and supports initiatives such as the Girls Coding Academy’s hackathons in Lesotho, Africa. Additionally, open source ecosystems, through values such as transparency, openness, and meritocracy, provide an ideal environment for diverse contributors to thrive.
Fun fact: Although more coincidental than intentional, the Eclipse SDV team is leading by example: 4 out of 5 core SDV staff members are women.
A Call to Action
The history and ongoing contributions of women in automotive remind us of the immense potential unlocked when barriers are broken. As we look to the future, fostering an inclusive environment is not just an ethical imperative but a strategic advantage. By empowering women to lead, innovate, and redefine mobility through software-defined vehicles, the automotive industry can continue its evolution into a more sustainable and equitable future.
Let us celebrate and amplify the stories of women in automotive – past, present, and future – and work collaboratively toward a world where talent and innovation know no gender boundaries.
