Amazon.com Inc. today detailed a broad collaboration with Stellantis NV, one of the world’s top automakers, that will encompass smart vehicles, a cloud-based data mesh and other ambitious technology initiatives.

Stellantis was formed in 2021 from the merger of Chrysler Automobiles and PSA Group. The Amsterdam-based company has more than 400,000 employees worldwide. It operates 14 vehicle brands, including Chrysler, Citroën and Dodge.

Last year, Stellantis detailed an ambitious plan to boost annual revenues by $22.5 billion within a decade by selling more software services and subscriptions. A core pillar of the plan is a digital cabin system dubbed the STLA SmartCockpit that Stellantis plans to ship with future vehicles. Amazon is set to play an important role in the digital cabin’s development.

Cloud-connected digital cabin 

Stellantis has selected Amazon Web Services Inc. as its preferred cloud provider and will use the Amazon unit’s cloud platform to support development of the STLA SmartCockpit. As part of the effort, the automaker is building a cloud-based development environment on AWS. The environment will give Stellantis’ software engineers access to features for carrying out tasks such as code testing, running simulations and training machine learning models, the companies said. 

“We are inventing solutions that will help enable Stellantis to accelerate connected and personalized in-vehicle experiences, so that every moment in motion can be smart, safe, and tailored to each occupant,” Amazon Chief Executive Officer Andy Jassy said in a statement. “Together, we will create the foundation for Stellantis to transform from a traditional automaker into a global leader in software-driven development and engineering.”

For Stellantis customers, the STLA SmartCockpit will provide an in-vehicle app store that is set to offer access to various digital services. Amazon’s Alexa artificial intelligence assistant will be one of the available services. Stellantis envisions using Alexa to let customers perform tasks such as setting the in-cabin temperature before getting into their vehicle and ordering car accessories.

Stellantis is also evaluating other use cases. The automaker said that it might in the future equip its Chrysler Pacifica vehicles with a trip planner capable of automatically highlighting points of interest along a route. Jeep vehicles, Stellantis said, could be equipped with software that helps customers calibrate their vehicles before tackling tough terrain.

Cloud-based data mesh 

Stellantis’ plans for the collaboration with AWS extend beyond its initiative to roll out a digital cabin system across its vehicle portfolio. The automaker intends to move its “vehicle data pipeline” to the Amazon unit’s platform, as well as build a cloud-based data mesh to support analytics initiatives. A dash mesh allows different business units in a company to independently manage analytics initiatives, which increases operational efficiency.

Stellantis will train more than 5,000 engineers in using AWS-related technologies to support its software plans. For added measure, the automaker will draw on Amazon’s own technical know-how. Stellantis and AWS plan to set up a global network of development centers, to be known as Innovation Hubs, where experts from both companies will “innovate using the breadth and depth of AWS cloud services.”

The partnership announced today builds on Stellantis and AWS parent Amazon’s long-running collaboration in the logistics segment. The automaker has supplied tens of thousands of vehicles for Amazon’s delivery fleet since 2018.

The online retail giant will expand its use of Stellantis vehicles going forward. Amazon intends to become the first commercial customer of the upcoming ProMaster Battery Electric Vehicle, the first all-electric van from Stellantis’ Fiat subsidiary. Amazon said that it will buy thousands of vans every year once they start rolling off the production line in 2023.

Industry focus

Amazon has established a significant presence in the auto sector through its AWS cloud unit. Many automakers and quite a few of their suppliers use AWS to support their business operations. Alexa has in recent years also emerged as an important component of Amazon’s auto sector plans. Last year, the company introduced a service that enables automakers to add custom versions of Alexa to their vehicles.

Amazon is now further broadening its growth strategy. Today, the company said that its Fire TV streaming platform will become available in more types of vehicles and announced plans to expand the available content catalog. Customers who use the auto version of Fire TV in the U.S. will have access to more than 1 million TV episodes and movies.

Amazon’s plans for the auto sector even encompass self-driving vehicles. In 2020, the company paid a reported $1.2 billion to acquire Zoox Inc., an autonomous vehicle startup. Zoox is developing autonomous taxis and could potentially help Amazon develop self-driving delivery vehicles if the company decides to take that route in the future.

Image: Amazon