New documentary, Coding the Car 2.0, Launches to Highlight the Major Trends in Software Innovation Driving the Future of Mobility
LOS ANGELES, CA and WATERLOO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / September 10, 2024 / MotorTrend Group, a Warner Bros. Discovery company, in conjunction with BlackBerry Limited (NYSE:BB)(TSX:BB), whose BlackBerry QNX® technology is used by countless automakers around the world, announced today a Call for Entries for the third annual Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV) Innovator Awards, which celebrate the automotive industry’s revolutionary transformation from hardware to software. After two groundbreaking years, MotorTrend is once again inviting the automotive industry to nominate exceptional individuals who are redefining how cars are designed, built, driven, and experienced.
The SDV Innovator Awards is the first and only industry award program to celebrate the experts, leaders, and pioneers on the cutting edge of the massive disruption in the automotive marketplace. The future of mobility will be shaped by digital innovations powered by software that make our vehicles smarter, more connected, and more intuitive.
The awards program bringing attention to SDVs has seen explosive growth since inception with nominations pouring in from global automakers and suppliers alike, resulting in world-renowned leaders receiving awards such as Sarah Tariq at Nvidia, Magnus Östberg at Mercedes-Benz AG and Doug Field at Ford. As the industry continues its evolution with new technologies like embedded AI behind the wheel, this year promises to be even more remarkable.
“Cars are evolving more rapidly than ever, with software and the features it delivers now key market differentiators,” said MotorTrend Group Head of Editorial Ed Loh. “We’re excited to kick off the third annual SDV Innovator Awards that pay homage to those who are making this extraordinary transition possible, from the imaginative work by the creative teams at automakers to the technical experts at automotive suppliers. We invite everyone to submit their nominations and showcase how outstanding individuals in their organizations are driving this revolution forward.”
“As we head into the third year of our collaboration with MotorTrend, QNX is as committed as ever to making a significant contribution to our shared global industry,” said Carsten Hurasky, VP Marketing at BlackBerry QNX. “The SDV Innovator Awards program was established to recognize the outstanding individuals who have made significant contributions to the automotive industry through software and without a doubt, as we kick off the 2025 edition, there will be no shortage of visionary leaders to honor as the SDV revolution continues to advance.”
Underscoring the rapid transformations in SDVs over the past few years, MotorTrend has produced a sequel to the Coding the Car documentary that debuted in 2022. The new 26-minute investigative piece, Coding the Car 2.0, explores how Chinese automakers and others are embracing new technologies to help advance the next chapter of vehicle innovation.
Coding the Car 2.0 also explores the consolidation taking place within the industry amidst global disruption, as the number of automotive brands has shrunk in China from more than 100 just eight years ago to fewer than half that number today. Finally, the documentary examines the vital importance of legacy automakers and brand affinity, pointing out that 15 of the top 20 electric vehicles sold around the world are made by companies that previously built gas-powered vehicles.
Starting today, nominations are open for the following three SDV Innovator Awards categories:
Pioneer: Recognizing individuals who have demonstrably broken new ground within the SDV space through research, development, and application of new automotive software.
Leader: Honoring exceptional individuals in senior management positions who are leading teams that transform the automotive industry through the broad adoption and application of software solutions.
Expert: Celebrating subject matter experts within specific SDV disciplines, such as AI, advanced driver assistance systems, digital cockpit, over-the-air updates, digital entertainment, autonomous technology, and more.
Nominations may be submitted by visiting MotorTrend.com/SDVSurvey
