HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE WITH AUTOMATED SOFTWARE UPDATE SYSTEM

A vehicle includes an onboard controller(s) coupled to a wireless transceiver, which are configured to connect to a remote server, and to respond to a remote software update message for a vehicle from the remote server(s). In response, the controller(s) download a software update to the vehicle from the remote server(s). The controller(s) are further configured to detect a vehicle idle state, to determine whether the vehicle is unattended, such that the software update may proceed. If the idle state is detected, and in response to the remote software update message, the controller(s) configure the vehicle to a safe mode, having vehicle conditions that include key on, transmission in park, and engine off. If the safe mode configurations are successful, then the controller(s) update and/or flash the downloaded updates to in-vehicle, onboard computer processing systems and controller(s), which may include for example an engine control unit (ECU), among others.