HERE Technologies have made two major announcements ahead of the opening of the 2026 edition of the Consumer Electronics Show )(CES 2026) in Las Vegas.
Firstly, HERE and Amazon are collaborating to bring an AI-powered navigation solution. At the heart of this advancement is the integration of HERE Navigation with Amazon’s Alexa Custom Assistant (ACA). The collaboration creates a sophisticated in-vehicle experience and enables automakers to offer uniquely branded, conversational AI navigation experiences across all vehicle segments.
At CES 2026, attendees will experience the next generation of AI navigation. Alexa Custom Assistant uses Alexa+’s intelligence and natural conversational abilities to understand customer requests and respond accordingly. ACA technology combined with HERE’s industry-leading map data enables drivers to find places, plan complex routes, and navigate.
With HERE and Alexa Custom Assistant, automakers can easily create tailored AI in-vehicle assistants that reflect their brand identity. The solution is easy to integrate, speeding up the time to market. HERE Navigation and Alexa Custom Assistant extend beyond providing information, offering drivers advanced, contextual, and personalized experiences while keeping their focus on the road ahead. The solution will encompass trip planning and proactive driver assistance to enhance the overall driving experience.
“We’re excited to work with HERE Technologies to make AI-powered navigation more accessible and customizable for automakers. By combining HERE’s trusted mapping expertise with Alexa+’s conversational AI capabilities, we’re enabling OEMs to deliver premium, branded navigation experiences that drivers will love,” said Anes Hodzic, Vice President of Amazon Smart Vehicles.
“By uniting HERE’s industry-leading mapping and location technology with Amazon’s next-generation conversational AI, we’re redefining what in-vehicle navigation can be,” said Denise Doyle, Chief Product Officer at HERE Technologies. “This collaboration reduces development complexity for automakers across every vehicle segment when working with HERE and Amazon.”
Meanwhile, HERE Technologies and Hyundai AutoEver are to expand their online navigation partnership to deliver intelligent, digital cockpit experiences In collaboration with Hyundai AutoEver, HERE provides navigation map data for the infotainment platforms of Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis vehicles sold in North America. Leveraging HERE map data, Hyundai AutoEver enables map updates for its online navigation system, incorporating location intelligence including new roads, speed limits, and points of interest.
As a result of this partnership, Hyundai AutoEver has shortened its map data update cycle by more than fivefold. By leveraging HERE’s highly accurate map data, the company has built a faster update framework for newly added roads and updated location information, delivering more accurate and timely navigation guidance to drivers.
This milestone brings advanced connected vehicle and real-time location services to over a million Hyundai, Kia and Genesis vehicles equipped with ccNC (Connected Car Navigation Cockpit) and ccIC27 (Connected Car Integrated Cockpit) infotainment platforms, starting with North America and Australia – offering greater navigation experience and map freshness.
As the automotive industry shifts to software-defined vehicle development, HERE is enabling HAE to create connected and personalized journeys that go beyond traditional navigation. This evolution aligns with Hyundai Motor Group’s vision of making in-car experiences smarter, and more engaging through intelligent, connected technologies.
HERE’s unified mapping architecture and AI-powered map-making capabilities rapidly fuse large volumes of data from thousands of sources – including more than 44 million connected vehicles, sensors and community sources – to create a highly accurate, navigable digital map. This foundation not only supports advanced driver assistance and automated driving systems, but also enables emerging AI-driven cockpit experiences, such as natural language interactions and customized travel planning.
HAE plans to evolve its online navigation service into a streaming navigation solution using HERE’s flexible APIs and SDKs. The two companies aim to create a next-generation solution offering lane-level guidance, ADAS integration, live map rendering, and seamless connectivity for digital cockpit systems. The solution is also designed to support Navigation on Autopilot (NOA) capabilities – paving the way for future automated driving functions, enhancing convenience and enabling immersive experiences for drivers in complex road environments.
“Our partnership with Hyundai AutoEver is a testament to what’s possible when innovation meets scale,” said Deon Newman, SVP and GM for Asia Pacific at HERE Technologies. “Together, we’re redefining what navigation means for the software-defined vehicle era – making it smarter, fresher, and more connected to the world around it.”
“As Hyundai AutoEver continues to scale its global navigation services, our collaboration with HERE Technologies has been instrumental in delivering intelligent, real-time, and personalized experiences to our drivers. The expansion into North America and Australia marks a significant milestone in our journey to redefine in-vehicle navigation,” said Dongkwon Suh, Head of Navigation Division, Hyundai AutoEver.
(Pictures: HERE/Amazon; HERE/Hyundai)
