The automaker says it can now create “virtual reality versions of car systems and controls that work just like they do in real cars without changing core software,” cutting development times from “months” to “within 24 hours” in some cases.

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Traditional automakers like Stellantis are under pressure to speed up their new-vehicle launch cycles.

Stellantis, the world's third-largest automaker by sales, has partnered with Amazon in 2022 to use its Amazon Web Services cloud service to develop software products for cars and provide regular over-the-air updates.

“With the virtual cockpit, we are not only revolutionizing our company’s approach, but also changing the way our suppliers and industry partners operate,” said Yves Bonnefont, Stellantis’ chief software officer. “We can get closer to our customers’ needs with this technology and faster development cycles.”

Traditional automakers are now under pressure to speed up their vehicle development cycles from Chinese electric car brands, which are able to launch many new models in a short time.

Mainland electric vehicle companies are also at the forefront of producing in-vehicle software and infotainment, turning cars into four-wheeled versions of “smartphones.”

Using tools developed by BlackBerry, Stellantis said, the virtual platform “has virtually no difference” between the system running in the cloud versus the actual hardware.

The Canadian tech company once focused on selling hardware and devices, but has shifted to enterprise software and security in recent years.

Stellantis says the new technology helps accelerate customer feedback on a particular brand or model, allowing them to “make real-time changes to optimize the driver experience.”

(According to Reuters)

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