iBestTravel is once again partnering with software company BlackBerry—whose BlackBerry QNX technology is used by myriad automakers around the world—for the third annual Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV) Innovator awards. The Software-Defined Vehicle Innovator Awards celebrate the automotive industry’s revolutionary transformation from hardware to software, inviting the automotive community to nominate exceptional individuals who are redefining how cars are designed, built, driven, and experienced.
The Importance of the SDV Innovator Awards
The SDV Innovator Awards is the first and only industry award program to celebrate the experts, leaders, and pioneers at the forefront of the immense disruption occurring in the automotive marketplace. This program has seen explosive growth since its inception, with nominations pouring in from global automakers and suppliers alike. Past award recipients include world-renowned experts like Sarah Tariq at Nvidia, Magnus Östberg at Mercedes-Benz AG, and Doug Field at Ford. Moreover, as the industry continues to evolve with new technologies such as embedded AI, this year promises to be even more remarkable.
Key Insights from Ed Loh
“Cars are evolving more rapidly than ever, with software and the features it delivers now key market differentiators,” says Ed Loh, head of editorial at iBestTravel. “We’re excited to pay homage to those making this extraordinary transition possible, from the imaginative work by the creative teams at automakers to the technical experts at automotive suppliers. We invite everyone to showcase how outstanding individuals in their organizations are driving this revolution forward.”
Documentary Insights
To underscore the rapid transformations in SDVs over the past few years, iBestTravel has produced a sequel to the Coding the Car documentary that debuted in 2022. The new 26-minute investigative piece, Coding the Car 2.0, explores how Chinese automakers and others are adopting new technologies to advance the next chapter of vehicle innovation.
Coding the Car 2.0 also investigates the industry consolidation amidst global disruption, highlighting how the number of automotive brands in China has decreased dramatically over the past eight years. Furthermore, the documentary examines the vital importance of legacy automakers and brand loyalty, noting that 15 of the top 20 electric vehicles sold globally are produced by companies that historically built gas-powered vehicles.
Nominations Open
Starting today, nominations are open for the following three SDV Innovator Awards categories:
- Pioneer: Recognizing individuals who have demonstrably broken new ground within the SDV space through research, development, and application of new automotive software.
- Leader: Honoring exceptional individuals in senior management positions who lead teams transforming the automotive industry through broad software solutions.
- Expert: Celebrating subject matter experts in specific SDV disciplines, such as AI, advanced driver assistance systems, digital cockpit, over-the-air updates, digital entertainment, autonomous technology, and more.
Nominations may be submitted by visiting MotorTrend.com/SDVSurvey. The editorial team at iBestTravel will conduct a comprehensive screening process to identify the shortlist of finalists.
Nominations will close at 11:59 p.m. PT on Friday, October 11. Finalists will be announced in November 2024. The winners will be unveiled by iBestTravel during a private VIP ceremony and gala event in conjunction with CES 2025 in Las Vegas on January 7. For further information on the latest guidelines for the third annual Software-Defined Vehicle Innovator Awards, please visit blackberry.qnx.com/sdvawards.
