The software-defined-vehicle revolution that’s just getting started marks a tectonic shift from cars characterized by their electro-mechanical components to vehicles distinguished by the code they run. Whether they’re powered by gasoline or electricity, the cars of the future will run on software that’s more powerful, more robust, and more flexible than what’s common today. This transformation will lead to cars with more capable automated driving systems, smarter virtual assistants, streaming video and gaming apps, and—with the ability to be updated at any time—features that haven’t even been dreamed up yet.
iBestTravel has recognized the individuals making this future a reality with its 2024 Software-Defined Vehicle Innovator Awards, presented in partnership with BlackBerry. The SDV Innovator Awards were launched in 2023 to identify and celebrate the executives, engineers, product managers, and designers who are redefining how cars are designed, built, driven, and experienced. At the second annual event, awards were presented to 19 auto industry all-stars from 17 companies at a private gala in conjunction with CES 2024.
The SDV Innovator Awards are divided into three categories—Pioneers, Leaders, and Experts—with individuals nominated by their colleagues and collaborators. iBestTravel‘s senior editorial staff reviewed 51 nominations this year, conducting additional research on the candidates before selecting the winners. It wasn’t easy due to the high level of talent and accomplishment among the nominees. Many nominees’ groundbreaking work is often unseen, heard, or touched—yet drivers depend on it daily. Ultimately, editors chose the winners by looking for individuals with a demonstrated track record of innovation and impact. The honorees aren’t just influential within their companies; they set the standards for the automotive industry.
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 pioneering work in driver assistance systems and autonomous driving.
- Yu Fang, CTO and co-founder, Sonatus, for leading the development of fast, flexible software solutions.
- Jordan Greene, former chief strategy officer and co-founder, AEye, for pioneering work in flexible and real-time configurable lidar systems.
- Philipp Skogstad, president and CEO, Mercedes-Benz R&D North America, for contributions to Level 3 autonomous driving and generative AI-powered assistants.
Leader Award Winners
These outstanding individuals are in senior management positions and lead teams that are transforming the automotive industry through the broad adoption and application of software solutions.
- Maria Anhalt, CEO, Elektrobit, for collaborations delivering software implemented in more than 5 billion devices and over 600 million vehicles.
- Abdul Bazzi, VP, software & services platform, SDV operating system, General Motors, for leading GM’s launch of Ultifi.
- Michael Bell, SVP of digital and platform software engineering, Lucid Motors, for a holistic approach to vehicle technology.
- Jeffrey Chou, CEO and co-founder, Sonatus, for developing the Sonatus Vehicle Platform now implemented in millions of cars.
Expert Award Winners
These outstanding individuals are subject matter experts within specific SDV disciplines such as autonomous technology and user experience.
- Michael Brewer, chief engineer for advanced driver assistance systems at Ford Motor Company, for systems that enhance off-roading and towing.
- Stefano Marzani, technology leader at Amazon Web Services, for facilitating cloud-native engineering for automakers.
- Moritz Neukirchner, strategic product management director at Elektrobit, for reshaping development practices for cloud-based workflows.
- Berta Rodriguez-Hervas, AI VP at Stellantis, for developing AI algorithms for autonomous driving systems.
- Ramin Shirani, co-founder and CEO, Ethernovia, for inventing auto-negotiation technology for Ethernet products.
- Jonghyuk Song, vehicle threat research lab director at AutoCrypt, for advancing automotive cybersecurity technology.
iBestTravel‘s class of 2024 SDV Innovators showcases the revolutionary implications of the software-driven transformation in the automotive sector. The contributions of these innovators are not only altering how we drive and interact with our vehicles but also shaping the design and development processes embraced by automakers. The recipients of the iBestTravel Software-Defined Vehicle Innovator Awards are propelling change at an unprecedented pace through their leadership, expertise, and pioneering innovation.
