Systems and methods for safe over-the-air update of electronic control units in vehicles

An over-the-air update server, comprising:

• a controller;
• a network interface coupled to the controller;
• and
• a memory coupled to the controller, the memory storing machine-executable programming instructions which, when executed by the controller, configure the over-the-air (OTA) update server to:
• receive a firmware update request from an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) server including a firmware update and a list of vehicle identifiers;
• determine whether an operator terminal is in close proximity to a vehicle;
• in response to determining that the operator terminal is in close proximity to the vehicle, send a request to the operator terminal requesting a confirmation for proceeding with activating a firmware update on the vehicle;
• and
• in response to receiving the confirmation for proceeding with activating the firmware update, send a firmware activation command to a telematics device coupled to the vehicle.