Open System Protocol (OSP), a communication method connecting automotive lighting and in-vehicle smart devices, has entered the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) process. With the proliferation of Software-Defined Vehicles (SDVs) making the openness and interoperability of in-vehicle communication structures increasingly important, OSP is expanding the scope of discussion as a method for connecting various intelligent devices, including lighting control.

ams OSRAM announced on March 23 that the OSP standardization work is proceeding as a work item under TC22, the ISO Technical Committee for Road Vehicles. This proposal was approved through a vote by ISO member countries in January 2026, and official work began in February. Standardization is expected to be completed in early 2028.

OSP is an open protocol designed to efficiently connect and control intelligent endpoints, such as RGB LEDs, drivers, sensors, and actuators, located at the ends of the vehicle network. It can manage up to 1,000 intelligent nodes with a single central controller and aims to serve as a 'last mile' network connecting the vehicle's upper network with individual lighting elements or smart devices.

The scope of technology application is also expanding. OSP was designed with a structure that interoperates with higher-level automotive networks such as CAN or Ethernet in mind, and implementation examples based on 10BASE-T1S have also been presented. This demonstrates the potential to support next-generation zone-based and domain-based electrical and electronic architectures.

Actual industrial applications have already begun. OSP-supported devices are being installed in some mass-produced vehicles, and LED and semiconductor manufacturers, as well as microcontroller suppliers, are expanding their support for related products and software. The basic protocol is designed with an open, license-free structure that anyone can use, while the application layer is configured to allow each company to differentiate itself.

The automotive industry places significance on the international standardization process itself. This is because, in the automotive sector where safety and long-term supply stability are critical, formal standardization processes serve as a vital condition for the widespread adoption of specific technologies. The current OSP standardization work is interpreted as a process that goes beyond vehicle lighting control technology to establish common standards for how various smart devices will be connected and operated in future vehicles.