Amazon and HERE Team Up to Revolutionize Automotive Technology
$1 Billion Agreement to Transform Software-Defined Vehicles, ADAS, and Autonomous Driving
In a groundbreaking move, Amazon (AMZN) and mapping and location technology company HERE have signed a 10-year, $1 billion agreement that will see HERE leverage Amazon’s AWS cloud infrastructure to help automakers build cutting-edge location-sensitive technologies for their vehicles. This partnership aims to provide automotive companies with the essential tools needed to develop software-defined vehicles (SDV), advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), and automated driving (AD) capabilities.
The Road to Software-Defined Vehicles
Software-defined vehicles are a new concept that enables vehicles to receive software updates through the cloud for various in-car systems, empowering them with innovative features. Similar to how smartphones receive new features via new versions of their operating system, SDVs can upgrade their capabilities without requiring physical hardware changes. For instance, Tesla (TSLA) has successfully implemented this concept by offering a range of updates to its vehicles via internet connectivity, including recent additions like an Apple Watch app that allows users to monitor their vehicle’s charge and control its locks, as well as Sirius XM support.
HERE and AWS: A Long-Term Partnership
This new agreement is the latest development in a decade-long partnership between HERE and AWS. While the companies have been collaborating for 10 years, this new arrangement brings more capabilities around ADAS and AD to the forefront. One of the key innovations that will emerge from this partnership is SceneXtract software, designed to recreate real-world environments for developing ADAS and AD features.
SceneXtract: A Game-Changer in ADAS and AD Development
SceneXtract is a powerful tool developed by HERE and AWS that makes it easier for automakers to pull data from HERE’s HD Live Map. This cloud-based mapping service provides highly accurate information related to lane information, local vehicle features, geometry, and more on specific roads. By using SceneXtract, automakers can significantly reduce the time required to prepare real-world simulations for training their own ADAS and AD functions without needing to use actual vehicles.
According to Remco Timmer, Vice President of Product Management at HERE, "SceneXtract marks a significant milestone in ADAS and AD development, providing developers with a powerful tool to reduce the time, cost, and complexity of simulating real-world scenarios." By leveraging HERE’s HD Live Map and AWS’s AI-powered search capabilities, SceneXtract enables more efficient and accurate testing. This results in automakers being able to bring safer, more advanced autonomous driving technologies to market faster.
Beyond SceneXtract: Expanding Mapping and Location Services
In addition to SceneXtract, HERE and AWS are establishing an agreement to develop HERE’s mapping and location information using AWS’s AI models and computing capabilities. This will be made available via Amazon’s AWS Marketplace for third-party developers to improve their supply chain services by utilizing real-time information about shipping important products and enhancing the accuracy of delivery estimates.
The Future of Automotive Technology
This partnership between Amazon, HERE, and various automakers signifies a significant step towards transforming the automotive industry. By leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as AI, cloud computing, and advanced mapping capabilities, companies can accelerate innovation in SDVs, ADAS, and AD. The impact is expected to be far-reaching, with benefits including enhanced safety, improved efficiency, and increased customer satisfaction.
The Path Forward
As the automotive industry continues to evolve, collaborations like this will play a pivotal role in driving progress. By providing automakers with the tools they need to develop sophisticated location-sensitive technologies, HERE and AWS are opening doors to new possibilities for innovation and growth. This agreement is not only about technology but also about the future of transportation, where safety, convenience, and sustainability become increasingly intertwined.
Conclusion
The $1 billion agreement between Amazon and HERE represents a major milestone in the development of automotive technology. By harnessing the power of cloud computing, AI, and advanced mapping capabilities, this partnership will pave the way for safer, more efficient vehicles that can adapt to changing needs and environments with ease. As the industry moves forward, one thing is clear: innovation has just taken a significant leap forward.
