MotorTrend Ignites Future Tech: Nominations Open for 2027 Software-Defined Vehicle Innovator Awards

MotorTrend has announced that nominations are now open for its 2027 Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV) Innovator Awards. This unique award program, established in 2022, is dedicated to celebrating the superstars who are actively coding the cars of the future and leading the automotive industry's ongoing transition toward software-defined vehicles (SDV). The awards seek to recognize exceptional individuals who are redefining how automobiles are designed, built, driven, and experienced in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.

Since its inception, the SDV universe has expanded significantly, with both major automakers and suppliers consistently bringing forth cutting-edge technologies through new vehicle models and over-the-air updates. The automotive industry continues to evolve at a staggering pace, largely driven by rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), and the nominee pool for the 2027 awards is expected to reflect these dynamic changes.

The 2027 SDV Innovator Awards feature three distinct categories for nominations, designed to honor various forms of contribution to the field. The "Pioneer" category recognizes individuals who have demonstrably broken new ground within the SDV space through innovative research, development, and application of new automotive software. The "Leader" category is dedicated to exceptional individuals in senior management positions who are guiding teams that transform the automotive industry through the broad adoption and application of software solutions. Lastly, the "Expert" category celebrates subject matter experts within specific SDV disciplines, such as AI, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), digital cockpit, digital entertainment, and autonomous technology.

A wide array of prominent companies have seen their innovators recognized as past winners of these prestigious awards. These include 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, among others.

The nomination process is facilitated through a simple online form. Following the submission period, MotorTrend’s editorial team will conduct an exhaustive screening process to identify a shortlist of finalists. Nominations for the 2027 Software-Defined Vehicle Innovator Awards will officially close at the end of day Friday, October 9, 2026. The winners will subsequently be announced across MotorTrend’s editorial platforms and at CES 2027 in January.