HERE Technologies has entered a groundbreaking partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS), marking a significant milestone for the automotive industry.
The collaboration, announced at CES 2025 held in Las Vegas, seeks to merge HERE's state-of-the-art mapping solutions with AWS's extensive cloud infrastructure. This innovative agreement aims to revolutionize how automakers develop advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), automated driving (AD), and other location-aware technologies.
"Location technology is at the heart of the automotive industry's software-defined vehicle revolution, and HERE's collaboration with AWS is boosting our ability to deliver game-changing tools..." commented Mike Nefkens, CEO at HERE Technologies. This sentiment reflects the pivotal role exhaustive data plays within modern vehicles, making the accurate mapping of geographical locations more important than ever.
The deal signifies HERE's commitment to enhancing the capabilities of automotive companies by streamlining the development of software for electric, automated, and software-defined vehicles. By collaborating with AWS, HERE aims to create faster software development phases, reducing the time-to-market for innovations and services, which is increasingly important as the automotive industry rapidly evolves.
Matt Garman, the CEO of AWS, added, "The future of the auto industry is linked to technological advancement... our collaboration with HERE is a powerful example of how AWS is accelerating innovation across manufacturing, connected vehicles, and driver experiences." His comments imply the dramatic shifts the industry is expected to undergo as companies leverage cloud technologies.
The partnership will primarily focus on creating AI-powered mapping systems. HERE has utilized AWS for nearly ten years, leveraging its high-performance computing ability to efficiently process data from millions of vehicles. The integration of HERE’s mapping tech with AWS's capabilities will provide automakers with extensive data for seamless integration with advanced driving features.
A key initiation of this collaboration is the launch of SceneXtract, which automates the process of preparing real-world environments for simulation and testing. This innovation allows automotive developers to quickly locate and export HERE HD Live Map data for testing, significantly cutting down preparation time and associated costs.
This is particularly relevant considering the increasing necessity for improvements to autonomous vehicle technology. Enhanced simulations, powered by reliable geographic data, will refine the efficacy of ADAS and mitigate the cognitive load on drivers.
Further emphasizing the importance of efficient geographic information systems, HERE's mapping technology also extends beyond the automotive sector. The partnership with AWS enables developers to access HERE's location services through the Amazon Location Service, allowing businesses to add geospatial data to their own applications seamlessly.
For logistical and transportation sectors, the AWS and HERE collaboration provides solutions for visibility and efficiency throughout supply chains. Using this mapping data, companies can achieve accurate estimated times of arrival for shipments, enhancing operational capabilities and sustainability goals.
The acknowledgment of HERE’s history as industry leaders reflects the significance of this collaboration. Recognized as the most complete mapping solution provider worldwide, HERE has remained committed to advancing location-based services for over 40 years.
While the automotive industry grapples with rapid advancements, partnerships like the one between HERE and AWS signal the shift toward innovative technological solutions reshaping traditional practices. This development holds substantial potential to streamline processes and deliver elevated user experiences.
With the automotive industry at the cusp of transformation fueled by innovative digital technologies, the collaboration between HERE and AWS offers insights and tools necessary for future development, emphasizing the role of accurate mapping and data services. Both companies are primed to spearhead the evolution of vehicle technology and intelligent systems, which will not only revolutionize the driving experience but also shape the future of transportation.