• by Tanya Gazdik , Yesterday

A collaboration by Amazon and Stellantis to create a  so-called SmartCockpit is “winding down,” the companies confirmed after a Reuters inquiry.

The aim was to use Amazon in-car technology that the companies hoped would transform the driving experience while bolstering their vehicle-tech credential. 

It “is the latest example of traditional automakers struggling to work with Silicon Valley to introduce more sophisticated vehicle software,” according to Reuters. 

The “symbiotic relationship” would have given Amazon a new revenue stream through Stellantis licensing fees while Amazon would pay Stellantis an incentive fee for drivers that sign up for Amazon’s music streaming service, according to Seeking Alpha. 

When Amazon and Stellantis announced their deal in January 2022, they said they would collaborate to implement Amazon’s technology and software know-how across Stellantis, including vehicle development, building connected in-vehicle experiences and training the next generation of automotive software engineers.

The decision to end the project was “mutual,” according to a joint statement by the two companies.

“The companies said the shift ‘will allow each team to focus on solutions that provide value to our shared customers and better align with our evolving strategies,’ with no particular reason being given as to the end of the collaboration,” according to ElectricVehicles.com. “While EV makers like Tesla or Rivian develop their own software in-house, most traditional brands have been partnering with Apple and Google allowing them to deploy a faster, cheaper solution to its customers.”

Stellantis also partnered with Amazon for use of its Amazon Web Services to store and update data across its vehicle lineup, as well as Alexa capabilities within the vehicles, both of which are still available.

“Stellantis had hoped Amazon’s software expertise would help the global automaker in the race against companies like Tesla and China’s BYD,” according to Reuters. “And for Amazon it was meant to serve as a prototype for a wider rollout to more automakers.”

Stellantis recently announced some other software-related projects.

Stellantis and Mistral AI have expanded their partnership to include an artificial intelligence-powered in-car assistant as well as other AI-driven projects.

“With the AI-powered in-car assistant, the companies aim to create a ‘real-time, voice-enabled user manual’ that will answer questions about vehicle features, troubleshooting or warning indicators,” according to Pyments.com.