Corporation Stellantis Grants $22,000 for Collegiate Teams Engaging in Initial Hackathon Event
Stellantis, the fourth-largest automaker in the world, is making a significant investment in software and electrification, committing more than €30 billion ($35 billion) through 2025. This strategic move is part of the company's Dare Forward 2030 plan, which places a strong emphasis on transforming vehicles into **software-defined** ones.
The concept of software-defined vehicles is integral to Stellantis' future mobility vision, encompassing AI on the road, hybrid and electric powertrains, and advanced software capabilities that can be updated and managed over the air. This approach reflects Stellantis' commitment to delivering technologically advanced, adaptable, and customer-centric vehicles that are continuously improved post-sale via software updates, enhancing functionality and value over time.
A key aspect of this transformation is the integration of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous vehicle (AV) capabilities. Stellantis' STLA AutoDrive, developed in partnership with BMW, offers Level 2, Level 2+, and Level 3 autonomous driving capabilities and will be continuously upgraded through over-the-air (OTA) updates.
The Stellantis Hackathon, held in Detroit from April 22-24, played a crucial role in fostering innovation and collaboration. The event, announced during Stellantis' Software Day 2021 presentation in December, engaged college students to create apps that "gamify" driving for safety and fuel efficiency. The winning team was awarded $15,000.
The Hackathon used the cloud-based Stellantis software development kit (SDK) and vehicle data, demonstrating the power of software to transform the driving experience. It also served as a platform for identifying cutting-edge software innovations that can be integrated into Stellantis’ vehicles and mobility services.
Stellantis aims to have 34 million monetizable connected cars on the road by 2030. To achieve this, the company plans to hire a global team of software talents, targeting 4,500 people by 2024. Amazon is working with Stellantis to deploy its technology and software expertise across Stellantis' organization, including for STLA SmartCockpit, starting in 2024.
The STLA SmartCockpit, powered by the Mobile Drive joint venture between Stellantis and Foxconn, offers AI-based applications and integrates with the digital lives of vehicle occupants. The Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan also includes the creation of a Data and Software Academy, aiming to retrain over 1,000 people per year.
With the Stellantis Hackathon, the company is not only driving the software innovation necessary to realize its vision for intelligent, software-centric vehicles but also building an ecosystem of talent and partners focused on the future of mobility and software-defined vehicles. This approach underscores Stellantis' commitment to leading the way in the transformation of the automotive industry.
- Stellantis' Dare Forward 2030 plan emphasizes transforming vehicles into software-defined ones, integrating AI, hybrid/electric powertrains, and advanced software capabilities that can be managed over-the-air.
- Amazon is collaborating with Stellantis to deploy technology and software expertise, starting with the STLA SmartCockpit in 2024, which offers AI-based applications and integrates with digital lives.
- To achieve its goal of having 34 million monetizable connected cars on the road by 2030, Stellantis plans to recruit a global team of 4,500 software talents by 2024 and establish a Data and Software Academy to retrain over 1,000 people per year.
- The automotive industry is undergoing a significant transformation, with Stellantis leading the way through software innovation, education-and-self-development, and collaboration, as demonstrated by the Stellantis Hackathon and STLA AutoDrive autonomous driving capabilities.