HERE and AWS launch SDV Accelerator to speed up software-defined vehicle development

Press release. 9 September 2025

At the IAA Mobility 2025 event in Munich, HERE Technologies and Amazon Web Services (AWS) announced the launch of SDV Accelerator, a new program designed to help automakers speed up the development of software-defined vehicles (SDVs).

SDVs are seen as the future of the automotive industry, but their development is often slowed by fragmented tools, complex supply chains, and lack of standard practices. SDV Accelerator addresses these challenges by offering a ready-made framework that combines AWS cloud services, HERE’s mapping technology, and solutions from multiple partners. Automakers can access curated software, sample code, and integration support through the AWS Marketplace, helping them reduce development time and costs.

The platform also brings together leading technology providers such as Arm, Panasonic Automotive Systems, FORVIA, and QNX. One key feature is SceneXtract, a simulation tool created by HERE and AWS that generates virtual driving scenarios to test driver-assistance and autonomous systems more efficiently.

By using SDV Accelerator, automakers can benefit from up to 70% faster development cycles, lower R&D costs, and more testing capabilities. It also supports industry standards like SOAFEE, ensuring flexibility and interoperability while allowing manufacturers to keep control of their designs and user experience.

According to AWS, the initiative is aimed at removing integration bottlenecks so carmakers can focus on innovation. HERE highlighted that the open and scalable platform helps automakers collaborate while still maintaining control over their brand and product strategy.

With SDV Accelerator, companies can speed up virtual testing, integration, and deployment, making it easier to bring smarter and more advanced vehicles to market.

Quotes from the first SDV Accelerator partners:

Arm

Dipti Vachani, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Automotive Business, Arm: “With growing demand for intelligent AI-defined experiences in the vehicle, traditional linear automotive development timelines are no longer sustainable. SDV Accelerator fosters a collaborative ecosystem that provide automakers and their partners with access to solutions from Arm, running virtually in the cloud, to reduce complexity, enable early software development and accelerate time to market for next-generation vehicles.”

Elektrobit

Jagan Rajagopalan, Head of Strategy and Portfolio at Elektrobit Automotive GmbH: “At Elektrobit, we are proud to bring our proven software expertise to the SDV Accelerator, thereby supporting the shift to software-defined vehicles. By combining our Virtual IVI, AUTOSAR-based platforms, and cloud-native development tools with HERE’s advanced location intelligence, we help enable developers to design, test, and validate next-generation digital cockpit experiences entirely in the cloud. This collaboration reflects Elektrobit’s commitment to open ecosystems, modular architectures, and delivering the speed, safety, and scalability the industry needs to innovate with confidence.” 

FORVIA  

Mona Levacher, Director of Appning by FORVIA:“At Appning by FORVIA, we are proud to contribute to SDV Accelerator, both through our expertise in embedded app ecosystems and our strong customer base. By combining cloud-native workflows with Appning’s scalable Apps Market platform, we help automakers deliver personalized, differentiated digital experiences in the car accelerating the shift from hardware to software value creation. Appning acts as a bridge between automakers and App developers.” 

Micware 

Kenji Narushima, President and CEO of Micware: “In today’s Software Defined Vehicle (SDV) development, the utilization of ecosystems and the ability to accelerate development cycles are increasingly critical. Within this context, we believe that building a platform to support the collaborative domain across the industry carries significant importance. Micware will participate in the development of this initiative, leveraging our extensive experience and proven track record in both in-vehicle and cloud domains. By creating an environment where manufacturers can focus on their unique functions, Tier1 suppliers on hardware integration, and third-party partners on application development that plays to their strengths, we aim to help deliver fast and high-quality services to users. Through this initiative, we are committed to contributing to the advancement of a sustainable mobility society.” 

Mireo 

Dr. Ivica Siladić, CTO at Mireo: “This is a very promising initiative, as it would offload the burden of resolving important, often troublemaking details—daily logistics, ensuring the reference setup is correct, combining services from various providers, etc. It will certainly help facilitate the creation of more sophisticated, future-proof infotainment systems, where advanced Mireo navigation and ADAS solutions fit perfectly. We’re excited to collaborate with more car OEMs and system integrators to ensure cars bring more joy and deliver great driver and user experiences.” 

NTT DOCOMO BUSINESS

Yuji Tamai, Director of Global Connected Car, NTT DOCOMO BUSINESS: “Mobile connectivity is becoming increasingly vital and indispensable for the development of SDVs and the delivery of connected car services. As a connectivity provider, NTT DOCOMO BUSINESS is pleased to support the initiatives of AWS and HERE and to participate as one of the industry partners. Together with TRANSATEL, a global IoT connectivity provider part of NTT, we are committed to providing global connectivity services to automakers and tier1 suppliers, thereby contributing to the acceleration of the SDV development and the realization of connected services.” 

Panasonic Automotive Systems

Andrew Poliak, CTO, Panasonic Automotive Systems America: “By helping enable true bit-parity development in the cloud, we allow automotive software to be built and validated on AWS long before hardware is available. Our shift-left approach dramatically accelerates time-to-market and CI/CD, ensuring code drops seamlessly onto the target vehicle and runs without rework. Combined with the SDV accelerator partner network, we jointly empower automakers and their suppliers to innovate faster, integrate smarter, and deliver next-generation mobility at unprecedented speed.” 

QNX

Grant Courville, SVP, Products and Strategy at QNX: “At QNX, we’ve long embraced a cloud-first development approach to help automakers accelerate innovation without compromising safety or reliability. Our OS and Hypervisor technologies are purpose-built for secure, scalable integration into modern SDV workflows, enabling efficient software architectures that meet the demands of next-generation vehicles. By collaborating with HERE and AWS through the new SDV Accelerator initiative, we’re thrilled to help automakers innovate faster, integrate smarter, and deliver safer, more differentiated driving experiences with confidence.”