Amazon has entered a decade-long $1 billion agreement with HERE Technologies to develop cloud-based mapping tools that will empower automakers to build software-defined vehicles (SDVs), advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), and autonomous driving (AD) solutions. Leveraging Amazon Web Services (AWS), the partnership aims to redefine how location technologies support modern vehicles.
Partnership for Software-Defined Vehicles
SDVs are vehicles that use cloud connectivity to receive regular software updates, allowing automakers to add features and enhance functionality remotely. A well-known example is Tesla, which frequently updates its vehicles with new capabilities, such as its recent integration with Apple Watch for monitoring charge levels and controlling locks.
The collaboration between AWS and HERE builds on such principles by providing automakers with the tools to design, test, and deploy smarter vehicle systems faster.
SceneXtract: Simplifying Real-World Simulations
A key element of this partnership is SceneXtract, a tool designed to recreate real-world environments for testing ADAS and AD technologies. Using HERE’s HD Live Map, a cloud-based platform that delivers precise lane-level data, road geometry, and traffic information, SceneXtract enables automakers to simulate driving scenarios without the need for physical vehicles.
“SceneXtract reduces the time, cost, and complexity of simulating real-world scenarios,” said Remco Timmer, HERE’s vice president of product management. By integrating AWS’s AI capabilities, the tool offers more accurate and efficient testing environments, helping manufacturers bring safer autonomous driving solutions to market.
Building on a Decade of Collaboration
The agreement marks the continuation of a ten-year partnership between AWS and HERE, which has focused on enhancing location technology through cloud infrastructure. The new collaboration deepens this relationship, introducing innovative tools for ADAS and AD development while expanding HERE’s mapping capabilities.
HERE’s mapping technology will also be available to third-party developers via AWS Marketplace, extending its use beyond automotive applications. Industries such as logistics and supply chain management are already using these tools to optimize operations, improve delivery time accuracy, and track shipments in real time.
