Honda to enable autos with Amazon AI, IoT capabilities
Amazon continues expanding the presence of its technology within vehicles from a variety of automakers.
The tech giant’s Amazon Web Services (AWS) hosted cloud computing division is collaborating with Japanese automaker Honda Motor Company to transition the company’s hardware-based automobiles into software-defined vehicles (SDVs).
The Japanese automaker will use its Digital Proving Ground (DPG) platform, a vehicle development environment built on AWS, to help build SDVs. By combining AWS compute, generative AI, and Internet of Things capabilities with Honda’s data lake built on AWS, Honda seeks to accelerate its delivery of new electric vehicle capabilities and mobility solutions.
In addition, Honda plans to leverage AWS capabilities to provide with over-the-air (OTA) software updates to vehicles and personalize each vehicle according to drivers’ habits and preferences, as well as perform feature updates without the need for physical modifications or replacements.
Honda will collect, transform, and transfer vehicle data to its DPG platform, allowing it to track EV battery data and schedule preventative maintenance. Honda will also use Amazon Kinesis Video Streams, a fully managed service for streaming live video from devices, to help build video processing and analytics applications.
This technology under development aims to analyze and store car camera footage, using machine learning to detect abnormal movement outside the vehicle. For example, if implemented, this new feature could alert drivers to take corrective action to help avoid collisions or damage to the vehicle.
Honda is also using AWS generative AI services to help develop personalized user experiences. For example, the automaker is developing a new solution that guides EV drivers to optimal charging stations based on current location, remaining battery, charging speed, fees, and proximity to shopping centers.
This new AWS IoT solution enables secure two-way communication between internet-connected devices and the cloud. The automaker will use Bedrock, a fully managed generative AI service from AWS,, to recommend the optimal charging station based on a driver’s behavior patterns and preferences. Honda plans to launch this capability in its 0 Series line of EVs.
"The automotive industry is undergoing a seismic shift to digitization," said Ozgur Tohumcu, director of automotive and manufacturing at AWS. "Vehicles now function as intelligent, connected platforms on wheels, not just stand-alone machines. Generative AI will help automakers develop new features while bringing new models to consumers faster and more cost-effectively. We look forward to collaborating closely with Honda Motor Company to help them realize their vision for safe, high-performing, smart vehicles."
To support its move to cloud-based mobility, Honda established a joint Expert Builder Initiative with AWS in 2024. The program aims to strengthen the skills of hybrid talent engineers (HTEs) proficient in both vehicle software and cloud technologies by providing training in the latest cloud technologies, such as generative AI, analytics and IoT.
Amazon rolls tech into autos
Amazon has been partnering with other automakers on in-vehicle technology. During 2025, Amazon and BMW will start rolling out large language model-based generative AI capabilities as part of a beta in select vehicles and countries, which will include the ability to plan trips and navigate more conversationally.
And as part of a broader agreement to let Hyundai sell its autos on the Amazon site, Hyundai has named Amazon Web Services as its preferred cloud provider, and the Alexa Built-in car-based digital experience is coming to Hyundai’s next-generation vehicles.
[READ MORE: Amazon offers online auto shopping from Hyundai dealers]
This follows Amazon’s previous agreement to deploy its technology and solutions, including Amazon Devices, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and Amazon Last Mile, across the organization and vehicles of Italy-based automotive conglomerate Stellantis (parent of U.S. auto brands including Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep).
