In a significant move, Amazon (AMZN) has partnered with mapping and location technology company HERE in a 10-year agreement worth $1 billion. This partnership will enable HERE to utilize Amazon’s AWS cloud infrastructure to provide automotive companies with the tools necessary for building location-sensitive technologies for their vehicles.
What does this partnership entail?
The agreement between Amazon and HERE will allow the companies to offer advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and automated driving (AD) solutions to automakers. This is made possible through the use of AWS’s cloud infrastructure, which provides scalable and secure computing resources that can handle large amounts of data.
Software-Defined Vehicles: The Future of Automotive Technology
One of the key aspects of this partnership is the development of software-defined vehicles (SDVs). SDVs are vehicles that receive software updates via the cloud, enabling new capabilities and features. This concept is not new, as companies like Tesla (TSLA) have already implemented similar technologies in their vehicles.
Tesla’s Software Updates: A Prime Example
For instance, Tesla offers regular software updates to its autos through the internet. These updates can include new features such as an Apple Watch app that allows owners to check their vehicle’s charge and control its locks, as well as Sirius XM support. This concept of software-defined vehicles is set to revolutionize the automotive industry.
HERE and AWS: A Decade of Partnership
The partnership between HERE and Amazon is not a new one. The two companies have been working together for over 10 years, but this agreement brings more capabilities around ADAS and AD to the forefront. Part of this includes the development of SceneXtract software, which enables automakers to recreate real-world environments to develop ADAS and AD features.
SceneXtract: A Game-Changer in ADAS and AD Development
SceneXtract is a powerful tool 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 a particular road’s lane information, local vehicle features, geometry, and more.
The Benefits of SceneXtract
The functionality of SceneXtract helps cut down on the time it takes to prepare real-world simulations that automakers can use to train their own ADAS and AD functions without having to use real vehicles. This reduces the time, cost, and complexity associated with simulating real-world scenarios.
Remco Timmer’s Statement
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."
The Impact on Autonomous Driving Technologies
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.
AWS Marketplace: A New Frontier for HERE’s Mapping Data
In addition to SceneXtract, HERE and AWS are setting up an agreement to build out HERE’s mapping and location information using AWS’s AI models and computing capabilities. This data 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 of the Technology
Companies are already using this technology for real-time information about shipping important products and improving the accuracy of delivery estimates. This partnership has the potential to revolutionize the way companies manage their supply chains.
Conclusion
The $1 billion agreement between Amazon and HERE is a significant move in the automotive industry. By utilizing AWS’s cloud infrastructure, HERE can provide automakers with the tools necessary for building location-sensitive technologies for their vehicles. The development of SceneXtract software and the partnership to build out HERE’s mapping data using AWS’s AI models and computing capabilities have the potential to revolutionize the way companies develop ADAS and AD features.
Sources
- Amazon (AMZN) press release
- HERE press release
- Reuters article
Related Articles
- Amazon and HERE Partner on Autonomous Driving Technologies
- Tesla Software Updates: A Prime Example of SDVs
- AWS Marketplace: A New Frontier for HERE’s Mapping Data