Latest news with #SmartCockpit
Yahoo
a day ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Stellantis and Amazon discontinue in-car technology partnership
Stellantis and Amazon are discontinuing their partnership on the SmartCockpit in-car software project, initially aimed at enhancing the driving experience and showcasing their vehicle-tech capabilities. Both the firms have mutually decided to wind down their collaboration, reported Reuters. The SmartCockpit project was intended to integrate Amazon's technology into vehicles to create a more personalised and connected driving experience. The project's termination is emblematic of the challenges traditional automakers face in adopting advanced vehicle software in partnership with Silicon Valley. A statement from the firms said: "Stellantis remains a valuable partner for Amazon, and the companies continue to work together on a range of initiatives." The SmartCockpit project, announced in 2022, was expected to transform Stellantis vehicles into smart, connected environments, offering personalised settings and home automation features. The venture was part of Stellantis's strategy to compete with electric vehicle leaders like Tesla and BYD, leveraging Amazon's software prowess. Stellantis's former CEO Carlos Tavares had expressed his ambition for the partnership to make their vehicles "the most wanted, most captivating place to be, even when not driving." However, Tavares's abrupt departure last year and Stellantis's declining stock value, which fell by around 40% in 2024, have marked a period of difficulty for the automaker. The importance of automotive software has grown significantly, with it controlling various aspects of modern vehicles, including safety features and infotainment systems. Legacy automakers have been challenged to develop these systems efficiently, often resulting in partnerships or talent acquisition from tech companies. While the specific reasons for the SmartCockpit project's end are unclear, both companies have stated that the decision allows them to concentrate on solutions that align with their evolving strategies. Stellantis, which manages a complex array of models and suppliers, faces greater challenges in software implementation compared to companies with simpler lineups, like Tesla. The SmartCockpit was part of Stellantis's broader technological initiative, including the STLA Brain electrical architecture and the Autodrive driver-assistance system. Despite the end of this partnership, Stellantis will continue to use Amazon Web Services for data storage and updates, and Alexa will remain available in some of its vehicles. Stellantis may seek alternative operating systems, such as Google's Android platform, to continue the development of SmartCockpit. Amazon's internal team, working on what was known as "Project Quatro," aimed to compete with Google's Automotive Services, the prevalent Android-based system used by many automakers. "Stellantis and Amazon discontinue in-car technology partnership" was originally created and published by Just Auto, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Stellantis to End In-Car Technology Partnership With Amazon
Stellantis N.V. STLA is reportedly winding down its collaboration with Amazon AMZN to create in-car software with connected products and services. The joint project, Stellantis SmartCockpit, was started three years ago as part of STLA's goal to generate $22.5 billion annually from software. The JV aimed to transform the driving experience by integrating sophisticated vehicle software enabling detection of the driver, personalization of the thermostat, navigation and other settings. Stellantis hoped this technology would enhance its competitiveness against software-focused rivals like Tesla. However, in the process, Stellantis faced the challenge of implementing software across 14 brands. Other traditional automakers have also struggled to add sophisticated software. It is reported that Amazon staff working on this project have either been reassigned or no longer with the company. The in-car software revenue strategy laid out by Stellantis included three key components, an electrical and software architecture system called Brain, a platform to deliver applications to the driver called STLA SmartCockpit and an automated driving platform called AutoDrive. While the partnership with Amazon on SmartCockpit is ending, Stellantis remains committed to the broader SmartCockpit concept and is now expected to pivot to a Google Android-based system for its future software interface. Having said that, STLA's relationship with AMZN is not fully ending. Stellantis will continue to use Amazon Web Services as its preferred cloud provider for vehicle platforms. Amazon Alexa voice assistant will still be available in Stellantis vehicles. Some other upcoming software-related projects announced by Stellantis are STLA Autodrive, an automated driving system for speeds up to 37mph, and an AI-driven project in partnership with Mistral AI to include an artificial intelligence-powered in-car assistant. STLA stock has lost 54.4% over the past year compared with the industry's 16.4% decline. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research STLA currently carries a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell). Some better-ranked stocks in the Auto space are Rivian Automotive RIVN and Standard Motor Products SMP, each carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Rivian's current-year loss is pegged at $2.49 per share. The figure implies a 38.37% year-over-year increase. Its earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in two of the trailing four quarters while missing the rest. Rivian delivered an average earnings surprise of 10.81%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for SMP's current-year earnings is pegged at $3.57 per share, indicating a 12.62% year-over-year earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, with an average surprise of 38.55%. SMP's shares have gained 2.5% in the past year. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Inc. (AMZN) : Free Stock Analysis Report Standard Motor Products, Inc. (SMP) : Free Stock Analysis Report Stellantis N.V. (STLA) : Free Stock Analysis Report Rivian Automotive, Inc. (RIVN) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research
The Drive
2 days ago
- Automotive
- The Drive
Amazon and Stellantis' Big Plan to Revolutionize In-Car Tech Is Dead
The latest car news, reviews, and features. In January 2022, Amazon and Stellantis announced a multi-year partnership formed to develop a suite of software that was expected to end up in millions of cars starting in 2024. The agreement was proudly presented as a way for Stellantis to 'accelerate its shift to becoming a sustainable mobility tech company,' while presumably giving Amazon a significant advantage in its rivalry against Google. Fast-forward to 2025 and plans have changed. The partnership is ending, according to a new report, and Stellantis may knock on Google's door instead. It's too early to tell why the partnership is winding down, according to Reuters . Parting ways 'will allow each team to focus on solutions that provide value to our shared customers and better align with our evolving strategies,' the companies jointly told the news agency. I'd give that statement a five-star rating in marketing-bullshit-ology. It answers the question in the vaguest and most non-committal way possible. Joining forces with Amazon was a great idea on paper. Like many of its peers and rivals, Stellantis realized that it often makes more sense to focus on what it does best—developing cars—and outsource the tech part of the equation to a tech company. Software has become one of the main measuring sticks in the automotive industry, especially outside of niche and performance-oriented segments. Offering a cutting-edge digital experience is now a core requirement for a volume-oriented group that sells cars all over the world. Stellantis One of the centerpieces of the partnership was a feature called SmartCockpit. It relied on artificial intelligence, Amazon's Alexa tech, and cloud solutions to link the car's infotainment system to the user's digital ecosystem. The software was notably supposed to include curated services and experiences available through an app store. Stellantis provided an example: In a Chrysler Pacifica, SmartCockpit would be able to offer a family trip planner that recommended media content, points of interest, and restaurants. Jeep models were supposed to get a digital off-road coach to help, say, a Wrangler owner navigate a difficult trail without violently introducing the engine's oil pan to a rock. It goes without saying that an e-commerce marketplace and a payment service were part of SmartCockpit as well; this is Amazon, after all. And, Alexa connectivity would have allowed users to control their connected home devices, like lights, from behind the wheel. Of course, the ability to monetize the software was baked in early on, and this wasn't purely about the user experience. Stellantis would have paid Amazon for access to the software in each car equipped with it, along with various maintenance fees. In exchange, the carmaker would have received an incentive fee when a driver signed up for, say, a music subscription service through the car's infotainment screen. Stellantis and Amazon will continue to work on various other projects, according to the report, though none were named. It doesn't sound like the retail giant will try to develop a SmartCockpit-like software with another company: Sources told Reuters most of the Digital Cabin staff have left the company or been re-assigned to a different department. Stellantis remains committed to the idea, however, and Reuters reports that executives are open to the idea of enlisting the help of Google's Android platform to bring the technology to the market. Got tips? Send 'em to tips@
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Automotive
- The Hindu
Amazon's in-car software deal with Stellantis is winding down
Amazon's deal with Stellantis to create in-car software that the companies hoped would transform the driving experience while bolstering their vehicle-tech credentials is "winding down," the companies confirmed after a Reuters inquiry. The Stellantis SmartCockpit project, which would rely on Amazon's in-car technology, is the latest example of traditional automakers struggling to work with Silicon Valley to introduce more sophisticated vehicle software. 'Stellantis remains a valuable partner for Amazon, and the companies continue to work together on a range of initiatives," the companies said in a statement, adding that the decision to end their joint work on SmartCockpit was mutual. The project between the Seattle tech giant and the maker of Jeeps, Peugeots and Alfa Romeos was hailed by the CEOs of both companies when it was announced in 2022. The two planned to develop features that would make the cars feel like an extension of home by detecting the driver and personalising settings such as the thermostat, navigation and even home automation, like turning on lights. Stellantis had hoped Amazon's software expertise would help the global automaker in the race against companies like Tesla and China's BYD. And for Amazon it was meant to serve as a prototype for a wider rollout to more automakers. In a January 2022 press release, Stellantis's then-CEO Carlos Tavares said he hoped the partnership would help make the vehicles "the most wanted, most captivating place to be, even when not driving." Tavares left the automaker abruptly last year, and the company on Wednesday named its North American chief Antonio Filosa as its new chief executive. Stellantis has been trying to revive its slumping stock, which fell about 40% in 2024, amid disappointing sales, especially in North America. Automotive software has emerged as one of the most important, and difficult, areas for legacy automakers to nail. Much of what modern cars do today is dictated by code, including the feel of the brakes, infotainment system, and advanced driving-assistance features such as automated steering – for which automakers can charge subscription fees, unlocking significant revenue streams. Ford recently axed its next-generation electrical architecture due to ballooning costs around the technology. Reuters couldn't determine any singular reason the partnership on SmartCockpit ended. The companies said the shift "will allow each team to focus on solutions that provide value to our shared customers and better align with our evolving strategies." Relative newcomers, like Elon Musk's Tesla, built electrical and software systems that can quickly deliver new features or fixes to customers at a lower cost to the company. Traditional carmakers, including Volkswagen and General Motors, have struggled to master these systems on their own, and have been poaching talent from Silicon Valley or forming partnerships in an effort to reverse that trend. Unlike Tesla which has very little complexity across its smaller lineup of vehicles, Stellantis manages dozens of models across 14 brands and a maze of global suppliers, increasing the challenges around implementing new software. SmartCockpit was initially planned to arrive in vehicles in late 2024 to early 2025. It was a part of what Stellantis called its ABC platform, which included its electrical architecture, called STLA Brain, and Autodrive driver-assistance system. Under the agreement, Stellantis would pay Amazon for access to the software in each car, as well as other maintenance fees. As envisioned, Amazon would pay Stellantis incentive fees for things like drivers signing up for its music subscription service through the vehicles, two sources said. The automaker also partnered with Amazon to use the tech company's cloud business, called Amazon Web Services, to store and update data across its complex lineup. Stellantis will continue to rely on AWS, the companies said, and Alexa will also still be available in some Stellantis vehicles. Stellantis could potentially continue work on the SmartCockpit with another operating system as its base, such as Google's Android platform, people familiar with the matter said. Amazon hoped that the team's work, internally called Digital Cabin or 'Project Quattro,' would rival Google's Automotive Services, the standard Android-based operating system used by many automakers, one of the sources said. Most of Amazon's Digital Cabin staff has been reassigned or left the company, one of the people said.
NDTV
3 days ago
- Automotive
- NDTV
Amazon's In-Car Software Deal With Stellantis "Winding Down"
Detroit: Amazon's deal with Stellantis to create in-car software that the companies hoped would transform the driving experience while bolstering their vehicle-tech credentials is "winding down," the companies confirmed after a Reuters inquiry. The Stellantis SmartCockpit project, which would rely on Amazon's in-car technology, is the latest example of traditional automakers struggling to work with Silicon Valley to introduce more sophisticated vehicle software. 'Stellantis remains a valuable partner for Amazon , and the companies continue to work together on a range of initiatives," the companies said in a statement, adding that the decision to end their joint work on SmartCockpit was mutual. The project between the Seattle tech giant and the maker of Jeeps, Peugeots and Alfa Romeos was hailed by the CEOs of both companies when it was announced in 2022. The two planned to develop features that would make the cars feel like an extension of home by detecting the driver and personalizing settings such as the thermostat, navigation and even home automation, like turning on lights. Stellantis had hoped Amazon's software expertise would help the global automaker in the race against companies like Tesla and China's BYD. And for Amazon it was meant to serve as a prototype for a wider rollout to more automakers. In a January 2022 press release, Stellantis's then-CEO Carlos Tavares said he hoped the partnership would help make the vehicles "the most wanted, most captivating place to be, even when not driving." Tavares left the automaker abruptly last year, and the company is expected to name his replacement soon. Stellantis has since tried to revive its slumping stock, which fell about 40% in 2024, amid disappointing sales, especially in North America. Automotive software has emerged as one of the most important, and difficult, areas for legacy automakers to nail. Much of what modern cars do today is dictated by code, including the feel of the brakes, infotainment system, and advanced driving-assistance features such as automated steering – for which automakers can charge subscription fees, unlocking significant revenue streams. Ford recently axed its next-generation electrical architecture due to ballooning costs around the technology. Reuters couldn't determine any singular reason the partnership on SmartCockpit ended. The companies said the shift "will allow each team to focus on solutions that provide value to our shared customers and better align with our evolving strategies." Relative newcomers, like Elon Musk's Tesla, built electrical and software systems that can quickly deliver new features or fixes to customers at a lower cost to the company. Traditional carmakers, including Volkswagen and General Motors, have struggled to master these systems on their own, and have been poaching talent from Silicon Valley or forming partnerships in an effort to reverse that trend. Unlike Tesla which has very little complexity across its smaller lineup of vehicles, Stellantis manages dozens of models across 14 brands and a maze of global suppliers, increasing the challenges around implementing new software. SmartCockpit was initially planned to arrive in vehicles in late 2024 to early 2025. It was a part of what Stellantis called its ABC platform, which included its electrical architecture, called STLA Brain, and Autodrive driver-assistance system. Under the agreement, Stellantis would pay Amazon for access to the software in each car, as well as other maintenance fees. As envisioned, Amazon would pay Stellantis incentive fees for things like drivers signing up for its music subscription service through the vehicles, two sources said. The automaker also partnered with Amazon to use the tech company's cloud business, called Amazon Web Services, to store and update data across its complex lineup. Stellantis will continue to rely on AWS, the companies said, and Alexa will also still be available in some Stellantis vehicles. Stellantis could potentially continue work on the SmartCockpit with another operating system as its base, such as Google's Android platform, people familiar with the matter said. Amazon hoped that the team's work, internally called Digital Cabin or 'Project Quatro,' would rival Google's Automotive Services, the standard Android-based operating system used by many automakers, one of the sources said. Most of Amazon's Digital Cabin staff has been reassigned or left the company, one of the people said.
