CES 2025: Here Technologies Unveils AI Mapping Innovations and Strengthens Partnerships

Also Read: Amazon Invests USD 110 Million to Boost AI Research with Free Access to Trainium Chips

HERE and AWS Announce USD 1 Billion Agreement

HERE and AWS announced a 10-year, USD 1 billion agreement to support AI-powered live streaming map and location services for automotive, transportation, logistics, and mobility companies worldwide. This expanded collaboration aims to accelerate innovation in Software-Defined Vehicles (SDVs) by integrating HERE’s location technologies with AWS’s cloud infrastructure.

This partnership aims to accelerate innovations in Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), Automated Driving (AD), and digital in-car experiences by leveraging mapping and AI-driven solutions.

HERE has relied on AWS for nearly a decade for its core cloud infrastructure, data platform, analytics, and AI/ML deployment. The expanded partnership enables HERE to offer automakers a comprehensive set of cloud-native tools, including improved active safety features and advanced infotainment systems, while addressing complex navigation needs like multi-stop electric vehicle (EV) charging, according to the company.

“Working with HERE, we will help automakers pioneer new ways to improve the driving experience by leveraging the global scale, reliability, and AI capabilities of AWS to power AI-driven mapping applications and features,” said Matt Garman, CEO at AWS.

Logistics Solutions

Beyond the automotive industry, AWS and HERE have entered into a Strategic Collaboration Agreement (SCA) to develop and scale HERE’s transportation and logistics solutions. These tools will optimize supply chains and enhance shipment visibility by combining HERE’s mapping content, location services, analytics and AI/ML algorithms with AWS’s compute, storage, and database capabilities.

HERE AI Assistant

HERE also announced the HERE AI Assistant, a solution that leverages multiple Generative AI Large Language Models (LLMs) to deliver natural language-powered, location-aware guidance. This assistant delivers instantaneous answers to complex location-related queries from natural language prompts.

HERE AI Assistant will also be available for logistics and fleet managers to enhance driver safety, route optimization and improved estimated time of arrival (ETA) calculations, the company announced.

The HERE AI Assistant integrates into vehicle systems via HERE Navigation or the HERE SDK, offering features such as Personalized Travel Plans, Solving Complex Travel Requests, Delivering Intelligent EV Routing to help alleviate EV range anxiety, and Improving Vehicle Safety by providing real-time alerts, in natural language, about speed limits and dangerous conditions to enhance driver awareness and safety.

Future iterations will include topographical data for enhanced safety and dynamic map updates based on user reports. Set to launch in 2025 within the HERE WeGo Pro app, the AI Assistant will offer advanced truck routing, real-time fleet tracking, and adaptive route optimization through voice commands.

“By integrating advanced natural language AI with HERE’s industry-leading mapping and location technology, the HERE AI Assistant transforms how users interact with vehicle navigation systems,” said Denise Doyle, Chief Product Officer of HERE Technologies. “This solution delivers personalized, real-time insights, enabling smarter route planning, enhanced safety features, and seamless adaptability to changing conditions. Whether for individual drivers or entire fleets, the HERE AI Assistant sets a new benchmark for efficiency, precision, and user experience in the transportation industry.”

Also Read: Amazon Invests USD 4 Billion More in Anthropic, Expands AI Partnership

BMW Group Collaboration on AI-Powered Maps

On January 7, HERE and the BMW Group announced an extended partnership to enhance driving experiences and advance software-defined vehicle (SDV) architecture. Starting this year, new BMW models will integrate HERE’s unified stack of standard and high-definition (SD/HD) map data to support functionalities such as lane-level positioning, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), and automated driving.

BMW will leverage HERE’s UniMap, an AI-driven mapping system that unifies SD, ADAS, and HD data into a single, semantically consistent digital format. UniMap enables seamless integration with vehicle sensors and continuously updates maps to improve accuracy and functionality.

UniMap also enables compliance with the European Union’s Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) regulations and high scores in the New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).

“An AI-powered unified mapping system is essential for software-defined vehicles. It simplifies development, lowers costs, and accelerates time-to-market for automakers building unique location-based services and solutions,” said Gino Ferru, SVP and General Manager EMEA at HERE Technologies.

HERE says that over 220 million cars have been sold with HERE maps on board, including more than 53 million vehicles in Europe and North America that use HERE maps for ADAS and automated driving.

Also Read: AI Awareness Rises in Germany, Yet Skill Gaps Persist: Bosch Study

Navigation SDK for Automakers

In a new announcement on January 8, HERE introduced a new SDK variant of HERE Navigation, enabling automakers to fully customize the user interface (UI) to align with their brand identities. According to HERE, Sony Honda Mobility is the first automaker to utilize the HERE Navigation SDK for its AFEELA brand.

HERE Technologies

HERE Technologies is backed by a group of shareholders including Audi AG, BMW Group, Mercedes-Benz Group AG, Intel Corp., Mitsubishi Corp., Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp. (NTT) and Pioneer Corp.