What comes after the software-defined vehicle?
How AI and location intelligence are redefining vehicles
by https://www.techradar.com/author/leo-sei · TechRadarOpinion By Leo Sei Published 19 August 2026
Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter
The automotive world doesn’t slow down. But what’s changed most is what we value when we get behind the wheel.
Not long ago, the story of a new car could be told through horsepower, cylinders, torque and exhaust notes. For next-generation platforms, differentiation increasingly comes from driving assistance, electric range, the digital experience and connected features.
It’s about how confidently a car moves through the world. Does it anticipate what’s coming, or second-guess itself?
Latest Videos FromTechRadarWatch full video here: Leo Sei
Chief Product Officer at TomTom.
The next phase will not be defined by software alone, but by how intelligently vehicles use context. As cars become more capable of learning from data and adapting over time, the question shifts from whether a vehicle is software-defined to whether it can understand the road, the driver and the situation well enough to create a more confident driving experience.
This confidence depends on both the software that drivers interact with and the location intelligence working behind it. Mapping, routing and road context give a vehicle the understanding it needs to look beyond the immediate moment, interpret what it sees and translate raw signals into behavior that feels smooth, safe and more assured.
Shifting from software-defined to AI-defined
Software has rewired the car. Centralized compute, continuous connectivity and software layers that can evolve more independently from the underlying hardware have changed vehicle development. Instead of every capability being tied to a specific electronic control unit, software can be developed and improved across a centralized architecture.
Consequently, cars have become platforms that can keep improving after leaving the factory. Drivers expect the same up-to-date experience they receive from their smartphones, including new features and a continually refined interface.
Are you a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter
Sign up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed!
Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors