A $1 Billion Agreement: Unlocking New Capabilities for Automakers
In a significant move, Amazon (AMZN) and mapping and location technology company HERE have signed a 10-year, $1 billion agreement that will see HERE utilize Amazon’s AWS cloud infrastructure to help automakers build innovative location-sensitive technologies for their vehicles. This partnership is expected to transform the automotive industry by providing the tools needed for the development of software-defined vehicles (SDVs), advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), and automated driving (AD).
Software-Defined Vehicles: A New Era in Automotive Technology
Software-defined vehicles are a new concept that enables vehicles to receive software updates through the cloud, allowing them to gain new capabilities. This is similar to how smartphones, such as iPhones, receive new features via new versions of their operating system. For instance, Tesla (TSLA) offers various updates to its autos via the internet, including recent additions like an Apple Watch app that allows users to check their vehicle’s charge and control its locks, as well as Sirius XM support.
HERE and AWS: A Decade of Collaboration
HERE and AWS have already been working together for the last 10 years. However, this new agreement brings more capabilities around ADAS and AD to the forefront. As part of this partnership, the companies will develop and offer advanced technologies that leverage their combined strengths in cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and mapping.
SceneXtract: Revolutionizing ADAS and AD Development
The companies have introduced a new software called SceneXtract, designed to recreate real-world environments for developing ADAS and AD features. This innovative tool enables automakers to easily pull data from HERE’s HD Live Map, a cloud-based mapping service that provides highly accurate information related to road lane information, local vehicle features, geometry, and more.
Simplifying the Development Process
SceneXtract makes it easier for automakers to prepare real-world simulations, allowing them to train their own ADAS and AD functions without having to use actual vehicles. This can significantly reduce the time, cost, and complexity associated with simulating real-world scenarios.
"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." – Remco Timmer, Vice President of Product Management at HERE
Leveraging AWS’s AI-Powered Search Capabilities
By utilizing the HERE HD Live Map and AWS’s AI-powered search capabilities, SceneXtract enables more efficient and accurate testing. This allows manufacturers to bring safer, more advanced autonomous driving technologies to market faster.
Expanding Mapping and Location Information with AWS
In addition to SceneXtract, HERE and AWS are establishing an agreement to build out HERE’s mapping and location information using AWS’s AI models and computing capabilities. This will be offered via Amazon’s AWS Marketplace to third-party developers as a means to improve their own supply chain services.
Real-World Applications: Enhancing Supply Chain Efficiency
Companies are already utilizing this technology for real-time information about shipping important products and improving the accuracy of delivery estimates.
The partnership between Amazon and HERE is set to transform the automotive industry by providing the tools needed for the development of innovative location-sensitive technologies. With the introduction of SceneXtract, automakers can now develop ADAS and AD features more efficiently, paving the way for safer and more advanced autonomous driving technologies.
Daniel Howley is a technology journalist who covers the latest developments in the tech industry. He has written extensively on topics such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and automotive technology. Follow him on Twitter at @danielhowley for the latest updates.
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