NTT DATA Romania launches BoLo, a universal software developed in Romania for electronic systems everywhere

NTT DATA announces the launch of BoLo, an essential software developed in its Romanian laboratories, enabling secure software updates for billions of electronic devices, including industrial systems, IoT devices, home appliances, medical equipment, transportation systems, and especially the automotive industry.

“We designed BoLo as a modular solution, compatible with any hardware specification. BoLo is fully secure and capable of managing software updates in-service, on the production line, and even over-the-air (OTA). It demonstrates that technological innovation developed in Romania has a direct impact on global electronics and particularly on the automotive industry,” said Maria Metz, CEO of NTT DATA Romania.

Developed by NTT DATA Romania, BoLo is a critical software component that ensures safe, fast, and legally compliant software updates, becoming a strategic differentiator for both manufacturers and suppliers.

For example, a standard car today contains over 100 ECUs and tens of millions of lines of code. With BoLo, you gain access to an integrated update solution designed for ultra-complex ecosystems.

BoLo is the result of a team of over 20 expert software engineers, specialized in embedded technologies, collaborating with manufacturers of electronic and automotive systems, as well as Tier 1 suppliers across Europe and Asia.

The solution has already been validated in real pilot projects and is available for implementation in existing or ongoing projects.

NTT DATA Romania offers BoLo as a licensable, customizable solution, adaptable to each client’s hardware architecture. Interested companies can schedule a technical demo, test the solution, or access detailed documentation through the local commercial team.

BoLo (short for “BootLoader”) is a compact yet critical program that runs before the main application on a device controller or a car’s ECU (Electronic Control Unit). It determines whether the system starts normally or enters update mode. In the latter case, BoLo erases the old memory, writes the new firmware, verifies its integrity, and transfers control to the updated application.

In the automotive sector, software-related recalls have increased significantly, 13 million vehicles were affected in 2024 alone, according to international analyses. Most of these issues can be fixed using a bootloader, eliminating the costs and downtime associated with hardware replacements.

BoLo complies with international cybersecurity regulations, including automotive industry standards, using modern and efficient access control and cryptographic mechanisms. It integrates advanced protection and error-management systems to ensure the safe and correct operation of embedded systems.