Amazon and HERE Sign 10-Year $1 Billion Deal for AI Mapping and Location Services on AWS

In a significant move, Amazon (AMZN) has signed a 10-year, $1 billion agreement with mapping and location technology company HERE. This partnership will see HERE leveraging Amazon’s AWS cloud infrastructure to help automakers develop cutting-edge location-sensitive technologies for their vehicles.

Unlocking the Potential of Software-Defined Vehicles

The team-up between HERE and AWS aims to provide automotive companies with the tools needed to build software-defined vehicles (SDVs). SDVs are revolutionary vehicles that receive software updates through the cloud, enabling new capabilities and features. This concept is not new; it’s similar to how your iPhone receives new features via iOS updates.

For instance, Tesla (TSLA) offers regular internet-based updates for its autos, including recent additions like an Apple Watch app that allows owners to check their vehicle’s charge and control locks, as well as Sirius XM support. The HERE-AWS partnership takes this concept a step further by bringing advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and automated driving (AD) capabilities to the forefront.

A Decade of Collaboration Yields Fruitful Results

HERE and AWS have been working together for over 10 years, but their new agreement brings more capabilities around ADAS and AD to the fore. One of the key developments from this partnership is SceneXtract software. This innovative tool enables automakers to recreate real-world environments to develop ADAS and AD features.

SceneXtract makes it easier for manufacturers to pull data from HERE’s HD Live Map, a cloud-based mapping service that provides highly accurate information related to lane information, local vehicle features, geometry, and more. The functionality of SceneXtract is designed to reduce the time spent preparing real-world simulations for training ADAS and AD functions without relying on actual vehicles.

SceneXtract: A Game-Changer in ADAS and AD Development

Remco Timmer, vice president of product management at HERE, expressed his excitement about SceneXtract in a statement. He emphasized that this technology 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.

Accelerating Innovation through Collaboration

The partnership between HERE and AWS goes beyond SceneXtract. The companies are also setting up an agreement to build out HERE’s mapping and location information using AWS’s AI models and computing capabilities. This enhanced technology will be offered via Amazon’s AWS Marketplace to third-party developers, enabling them to improve their supply chain services.

Companies are already leveraging this technology for real-time information about shipping critical products and improving the accuracy of delivery estimates. The potential for innovation is vast, and the HERE-AWS partnership is poised to accelerate advancements in the automotive industry.

The Future of Transportation: Software-Defined Vehicles

As we move forward in the world of transportation, software-defined vehicles will play a significant role. With the ability to receive software updates through the cloud, SDVs will enable automakers to introduce new features and capabilities without requiring physical changes to the vehicle.

This paradigm shift has far-reaching implications for the automotive industry. It allows manufacturers to respond quickly to changing market conditions and consumer demands. Furthermore, it enables the development of more advanced ADAS and AD systems, which will ultimately lead to safer roads and improved transportation experiences.

Conclusion

The $1 billion agreement between Amazon and HERE marks a significant milestone in the development of software-defined vehicles. The partnership between HERE and AWS has already yielded fruitful results with SceneXtract software, but their collaboration is just beginning. As they work together to build out enhanced mapping and location information using AI models and computing capabilities, we can expect to see more innovative solutions emerge.

The future of transportation is bright, and the HERE-AWS partnership will undoubtedly play a major role in shaping it. With its focus on software-defined vehicles, advanced driver assistance systems, and automated driving, this collaboration has the potential to revolutionize the automotive industry and beyond.

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