How Honda & AWS Are Upgrading Software-Defined Vehicles

The global automotive industry is evolving quickly, with software becoming as crucial as hardware in determining vehicle capability and user experience.

This transformation is occurring against the backdrop of increasingly stringent environmental regulations worldwide, growing consumer demand for electric vehicles (EVs) and the rising expectations for vehicles to function as sophisticated digital platforms rather than mere transportation devices.

Yet signalling the accelerating convergence of automotive engineering and cloud computing, AWS and Honda have announced a strategic collaboration aimed at revolutionising the future of mobility.

This partnership commences among global challenges for the automotive industry, including the global push towards electrification, the need for more sophisticated charging infrastructure, the increasing complexity of vehicle software systems and particularly, the shift from traditional mechanical engineering towards software-defined vehicles (SDVs).

This means that traditional automakers like Honda are finding themselves in a race against other car manufacturers as well as tech giants and startups that are reshaping the definition of mobility.

Accelerating software-defined vehicle development

Honda is utilising AWS's scalable infrastructure to develop and test new software-defined vehicle (SDV) models.

The company's Digital Proving Ground (DPG) platform, built on AWS, allows for the collection of data to estimate EV driving range, visualise energy consumption and vehicle performance and deliver software updates.

The benefits of this cloud-based approach significantly reduces Honda's reliance on physical hardware, enabling automotive engineers to design and test cars virtually before production.

The result is faster development timelines and substantial cost savings.

Furthermore, AWS IoT services are being employed to improve vehicle quality, safety and autonomy.

These services facilitate continuous software development and updates for vehicles on the road, allowing Honda to track EV battery data and schedule preventative maintenance.

Enhancing EV charging experiences Gen AI

Honda is also harnessing AWS's Gen AI services to develop personalised user experiences.

For example, an application under development is a solution to guide EV drivers to optimal charging stations based on factors such as current location, remaining battery life, charging speed, fees and proximity to amenities.

This innovative feature, planned for Honda's 0 Series line of EVs, will use Amazon Bedrock to recommend charging stations based on driver behaviour patterns and preferences - with the aim to simplify the charging process and enable customised charging times, limits and payments.

Honda’s cloud-skilled workforce

To support its transition to cloud-based mobility, Honda previously established a joint Expert Builder Initiative with AWS in 2024.

This programme aims to strengthen the skills of hybrid talent engineers proficient in both vehicle software and cloud technologies.

Now, by providing training in the latest cloud technologies, including Gen AI, analytics and IoT, Honda is equipping its employees to accelerate the development of integrated solutions using AWS - which is expected to further enhance the experience for Honda drivers.

“The automotive industry is undergoing a seismic shift to digitisation,” said Ozgur Tohumcu, director of Automotive and Manufacturing at AWS. “Vehicles now function as intelligent, connected platforms on wheels, not just stand-alone machines. Gen AI will help automakers develop new features while bringing new models to consumers faster and more cost-effectively.”

He concludes: “We look forward to collaborating closely with Honda Motor Company to help them realize their vision for safe, high-performing, smart vehicles.”

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