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It’s that time of year again, nominations are now open for MotorTrend’s Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV) Innovator Awards. Our one-of-a-kind award highlights the superstars driving the automotive industry’s ongoing transition to software-defined vehicles (SDV). Once again, we’re looking for exceptional individuals who are redefining how cars are designed, built, driven, and experienced.
MotorTrend’s SDV Innovator Awards were established in 2022, as the first and only industry award that celebrates the superstars who are coding the cars of the future. Since then, the SDV universe has expanded rapidly, with major automakers and suppliers bringing forward cutting-edge technologies in every new model and over-the-air update.
Winning the Future
Past winners have come from companies including:
AEye, Apex.AI, Audi AG, Autocrypt, AWS Automotive, Elektrobit, Ethernovia, Eureka Labs, Ford, General Motors, Harman, Honda Motor Co. Ltd., Hyundai Motor Group, Jaguar Land Rover, LG Electronics, Lucid, Mahindra and Mahindra, Marelli, Megatronix, Mercedes-Benz AG, MobilEye, Motional, Nio, Nvidia, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., Range Energy, Rivian, Russell AI Labs, Sibros, Sonatus, Stellantis, Tesla, Toyota Connected North America, TTTech Auto, Valeo, Volvo, Waymo, Xiaomi Technology, and XPeng.
The automotive industry continues to evolve at a staggering pace, due in no small part to the rapid advances of AI, and we expect our nominee pool to reflect that.
How to Nominate
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 are leading teams that transform the automotive industry through the broad adoption and application of software solutions.
Expert: Celebrating subject matter experts within specific SDV disciplines, such as AI, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), digital cockpit, digital entertainment, autonomous technology, and more.
Nominations may be submitted by filling out this simple form. MotorTrend’s editorial team will conduct an exhaustive screening process to identify the shortlist of finalists.
Nominations will close at end of day Friday, October 9, 2026. The winners will be announced across MotorTrend’s editorial platforms and at CES 2027 in January.
Best of luck!
