Nominations Are Open For the 2026 Software-Defined Vehicle Innovator Awards
Software superstars and supporters, point your AI assistant at our nomination form ASAP!
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MotorTrend’s Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV) Innovator Awards are back, and bigger than ever. Automotive software leader, QNX, a division of BlackBerry Limited, continues in its role as our founding sponsor, and thanks in part to our new partner, Vector, a key player in embedded automotive electronics systems, our fourth annual SDV Innovator Awards event is shaping up to be the best one yet. Nominations are open now.
Our awards celebrate the automotive industry’s revolutionary transformation from hardware to software, and we're once again inviting the automotive industry to nominate exceptional individuals who are redefining how cars are designed, built, driven, and experienced.
Celebrating Automotive Software Superstars
2023 SDV Innovator Award winner, Magnus Östberg, Chief Software Officer, Mercedes-Benz AG. Photo: Renz Dimaandal.
The SDV Innovator Awards is the first and only industry award program to celebrate the experts, leaders, and pioneers on the cutting edge of the massive disruption occurring in the automotive marketplace. The awards have seen explosive growth since their inception at CES in 2022 in Las Vegas and call forward talent at cutting-edge automotive and technology companies from around the world, including Nvidia, Tesla, Mercedes-Benz, Qualcomm, Ford, Rivian, Lucid, Nio, Xpeng, and many more. As the industry continues to evolve at a staggering pace, due in no small part to the rapid advances of AI, this year promises to be even more remarkable.
“The automotive industry is rapidly evolving thanks to software-powered digital innovations,” said Ed Loh, group head of editorial at MotorTrend. “We are honored to have the continued support of QNX and excited that Vector is joining our program to help celebrate the extraordinary individuals who have contributed to making vehicles smarter, more connected, and more intuitive.”
Darren Palmer, Vice President, Electric Vehicle Programs, Ford Model e, Ford Motor Company. Photo: Renz Dimaandal.
“We’re proud to return with MotorTrend for the fourth year of the SDV Innovator Awards,” said Carsten Hurasky, SVP Marketing at QNX. “Welcoming Vector as a new partner underscores our shared commitment to driving the future of automotive software. Together, we look forward to spotlighting the visionary contributors who are not just reshaping how the world moves but redefining what’s possible.”
“Collaboration is a key driver for the successful development of software-defined vehicles,” said Dr. Matthias Traub, Managing Director at Vector. “The SDV Innovator Awards serve as an excellent platform to recognize technically outstanding contributions. With our first-time participation, Vector is deepening its long-standing partnership with QNX and contributing its expertise to jointly drive SDV technologies forward in cooperation with MotorTrend."
How To Nominate
Starting today, nominations are open for the following three SDV Innovator Awards categories:
MotorTrend SDV Innovator Award 2024 winner Stefano Marzani of AWS, with 2023 winner Wendy Bauer. Photo: William Walker.
- 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, digital cockpit, over-the-air updates, digital entertainment, autonomous technology, and more.
Nominations may be submitted by visiting MotorTrend.com/SDVSurvey. MotorTrend's editorial team will conduct an exhaustive screening process to identify the short list of finalists.
Nominations will close at 11:59 p.m. PT on Wednesday, October 15, 2025. A shortlist of finalist companies will be announced in November 2025. The winners will be announced by MotorTrend during a private VIP ceremony and gala event in conjunction with CES 2026 in Las Vegas on January 6.
