- Co-development reinterprets navigation as a decision-driven, predictive experience that learns driver intent and adapts in real time
- The platform approach allows automakers to curate AI-powered navigation and cockpit experiences across vehicles, regions and services
Beijing, Auto China 2026 – HERE technologiesthe leading map and location data company, and KOTEIa pioneer in “AI + automotive software,” today announced a strategic co-development partnership to build the next generation of AI-native in-vehicle navigation and software solutions. The collaboration positions both companies at the forefront of the global Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV) era, enabling automakers around the world to deliver smarter, more connected and more efficient mobility solutions.
The partnership brings together HERE’s industry-leading AI-powered live map and KOTEI’s AI-powered automotive software technologies to reimagine how in-vehicle navigation and intelligent driving systems work. Built on the HERE SDK and a streamlined global mapping architecture, the joint solution demonstrates how AI-powered navigation capabilities are efficiently deployed in SDVs.
KOTEI deeply embeds AI into the core of navigation using intelligent agents to reconstruct search logic and unify HERE’s global POI database in more than 200 countries and territories. By accurately interpreting driver intentions, learning from real driving habits, and cross-validating open source information through HERE’s geospatial engine, navigation evolves from “providing options” to “delivering answers.” Automakers can customize the decision-driven engine, enabling curated and differentiated cockpit experiences that go far beyond the one-size-fits-all search paradigm of consumer platforms.
This shift creates a decision-driven experience that transcends the traditional route, giving drivers a more intuitive, proactive and context-aware journey. Together, HERE and KOTEI are setting a new industry benchmark for AI-native navigation systems that continuously learn, update and adapt to real-world driving conditions and habits.
The strategic partnership goes beyond navigation and co-innovates across multiple layers of the SDV ecosystem, including:
- Smart cockpits
- Intelligent drive systems
- Advanced autonomous driving components
- Central computing platforms
- Vehicle control system and middleware frameworks
By combining HERE’s real-time location intelligence with KOTEI’s expertise in automotive system architecture, both companies aim to help automakers accelerate the development of globally scalable, cloud-connected and AI-augmented vehicle platforms.
The collaboration builds on a significant production deployment already underway. KOTEI has developed advanced in-vehicle navigation solutions for one of China’s top 10 automakers, powered by the HERE SDK and widely deployed across the automaker’s automotive lineup.
Media contacts
HERE technologies
Vanessa Lee
+65 9188 6199
Vanessa.lee@here.com
About HERE technologies
HERE is the world leader in mapping and location technology. For more than 40 years, we’ve been driving innovation for the world’s most recognizable companies: from launching our first digital map in 1985 to shaping the future of software-defined vehicles today. With the industry’s newest and richest unified map and a portfolio of products, services and solutions that meet the needs of multiple industries, HERE unveils opportunities that drive progress and unlock new possibilities for every moving vehicle. Discover more at here.com.
About KOTEI
KOTEI (Stock Code: 301221.SZ), founded in 2002, is a global leader in the “AI + Automotive Software” industry. KOTEI independently developed the SDW (Software DreamWorks), creating a new paradigm for human-machine collaborative software development. It developed the A²OS for centralized computing architectures, enabling rapid R&D of next-generation domain controller solutions. KOTEI’s activities include smart cockpit, autonomous driving, XCU, smart navigation, intelligent vehicle cloud services and vehicle integration and testing. With a comprehensive capability to deliver SDV solutions at full vehicle level and cross-domain. KOTEI has built long-term strategic partnerships with leading global OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers, providing efficient and high-quality services and technical support for all customers.
