Amazon Web Services, Qualcomm, and Sony Honda Mobility have announced a collaboration to accelerate the development of SHM's AFEELA electric vehicle. This partnership will utilize AWS cloud services and Qualcomm AI100 accelerators to enhance autonomous driving and in-vehicle entertainment, aiming for a 2026 debut.
The AFEELA EV is described as a next-generation smart vehicle combining advanced driving assistance with in-car entertainment. According to TechCrunch, Sony Honda Mobility first introduced AFEELA at CES 2023, highlighting its use of 45 integrated sensors, AI-driven perception, and high-resolution displays. The collaboration with AWS and Qualcomm aims to transition this prototype into production readiness by 2026.
AWS cloud infrastructure plays a crucial role in expediting the vehicle’s development. Automotive News reports that SHM is using Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2) DL2q instances powered by Qualcomm AI100 accelerators. This technology allows engineers to run simulations and process driving data on an unprecedented scale, reducing validation timelines from months to weeks. This acceleration enables quicker refinement of features such as adaptive cruise control, parking assist, and piloted driving functions.
Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Ride platform contributes powerful edge AI capabilities to AFEELA’s system. According to Qualcomm Technologies, Snapdragon Ride SoCs are designed for scalable performance in real-time automotive computing. They enable vehicles to process camera and sensor data for autonomous navigation and driver assistance. By integrating Qualcomm’s silicon with AWS’s cloud services, SHM can simulate numerous road conditions virtually, compressing development timelines while reducing costs without compromising safety.
Amazon is a multinational technology company involved in e-commerce, cloud services, entertainment, and logistics. Its official website states that Amazon employs hundreds of thousands globally and operates under principles of customer obsession, innovation, and long-term thinking. Amazon Web Services is its cloud computing division providing scalable infrastructure and AI solutions across various industries including automotive.