AWS, Qualcomm and Sony Honda partner on AI EV AFEELA

Amazon Web Services, Inc. (AWS), a subsidiary of Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN), announced new progress in collaboration with Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. (Qualcomm) and Sony Honda Mobility Corporation (SHM) to accelerate the development of AFEELA, a next-generation smart electric vehicle (EV) that combines AI-powered autonomous capabilities with an advanced entertainment system. Through this collaboration, the three companies will leverage AWS cloud infrastructure and Qualcomm AI 100 accelerators to accelerate SHM’s development of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). The companies aim to evolve AFEELA from concept to production, aiming for a 2026 launch.

“Through this collaboration and utilizing the AWS cloud, we aim to evolve AFEELA into a mobility solution that is always connected to the cloud, and to deliver a personalized riding experience that combines safety and entertainment,” said Hiroki Takakura, general manager of the Network Services Development Department at Sony Honda Mobility Corporation. “By utilizing Qualcomm accelerators on AWS, we can significantly reduce the development time required for simulations, which previously took several months, and we will be able to process an unprecedented amount of driving data.”

With an integrated network of 360-degree sensors and smart AI systems, AFEELA delivers innovative, advanced autonomous driving assistance that accurately recognizes road conditions and is practical. Advanced AI powered by AWS aggregates massive amounts of data from cameras and sensors to help the vehicle “see, predict, and plan” and enhance its driver assistance capabilities. This intelligent system, powered by SHM, makes it easier for drivers to find optimal routes and park.

Also Read: Manufacturo Sets Up Tokyo Office to Meet Cloud Demand

“Through our collaboration with SHM and Qualcomm, AWS is fundamentally transforming the development and experience of automobiles,” said Ozgur Tohumcu, general manager of AWS’s Automotive & Manufacturing Division. “By seamlessly integrating cloud technology and AI capabilities, we are enhancing the driving experience and helping SHM bring innovative features to customers faster than ever before.”

Additionally, the three companies are building a cloud-based infrastructure and toolchain to help SHM streamline the generation, processing, and analysis of data simulations, dramatically accelerating SHM’s ADAS development. The system will enable a significant increase in data processing volume and enhance ADAS development, including adaptive cruise control, parking assistance, and autonomous driving, and will ultimately run on the Snapdragon Ride SoC in AFEELA.

“Our collaboration with AWS and SHM marks a fundamental shift in automotive innovation. Combining silicon technology with the scalability of the cloud will enable us to deliver unprecedented driver experiences,” said Anshuman Saxena, VP Product Management, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. “By running Qualcomm’s edge AI capabilities in the AWS environment, we will accelerate evolution from years to just months, helping to raise the bar on what consumers expect from their cars.”

AWS‘s Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (Amazon EC2) DL2q instances, equipped with Qualcomm AI 100 accelerators, combined with the Snapdragon Ride platform, have significantly accelerated the development of AFEELA. This has resulted in faster validation, significant cost savings, and advanced testing in a variety of scenarios that are difficult to reproduce in physical environments. This is not just about improving development speed; it is an effort to fundamentally redefine the very concept of vehicles by combining cloud computing and AI.

SOURCE: PRTimes