MotorTrend Announces Winners for the Second Annual Software-Defined Vehicle Innovation Awards

Accolades Given to Individual Leaders from Automakers Including Hyundai, Ford, and Stellantis

LAS VEGAS, NV — January 11, 2024 – MotorTrend Group, a Warner Bros. Discovery company, today announced the winners of the second annual Software-Defined Vehicle Innovator (SDVI) awards, which were given out a private event in conjunction with CES 2024, and presented in partnership with BlackBerry Limited (NYSE: BB; TSX: BB), whose BlackBerry® QNX® technology is embedded in more than 235 million vehicles worldwide.

The program was created in honor of the next phase of automobile technology, with a goal of elevating and shining a spotlight on those who are leading the automotive industry’s tectonic transformation from hardware to software. MotorTrend created the awards as the automotive industry redefines how cars are designed, built, driven, and experienced.

Winners were awarded in three categories, as chosen by MotorTrend’s panel of jurors, from a nominations pool of 51 industry leaders. The original finalists announced in December, included innovators from 21 automakers and suppliers.

“We are honored to unveil the distinguished winners of the second annual Software-Defined Vehicle Innovator awards,” said Ed Loh, head of editorial at MotorTrend Group. “This trailblazing group exemplifies the transformative impact of the software-defined vehicle movement. Their groundbreaking efforts redefine automotive design, driving, and the overall experience. We celebrate these exceptional Pioneers, Leaders, and Experts for propelling us into the future of software-defined vehicles.”

Pioneer Award Winners

These outstanding individuals have demonstrably broken new ground within the SDV space through research, development, and application of new automotive software.

• Jan Becker, CEO and Co-Founder, Apex.AI, for his pioneering work in the fields of driver assistance systems and autonomous driving, particularly for his contributions to safety critical Robot Operating Systems and for inspiring and educating the next generation of SDV super stars.
• Yu Fang, CTO and Co-Founder, Sonatus, for leading the way in developing fast, flexible software solutions for car and cloud that take advantage of existing electrical engineering architecture while delivering SDV capability.
• Jordan Green, former Chief Strategy Officer and Co-Founder, AEye, for his pioneering work with respect to flexible and real-time configurable lidar systems, which is accelerating the SDV…