Applied Intuition to supply Vehicle OS and AI-native tools to Nissan

What the collaboration covers

Applied Intuition, which describes itself as a leader in physical AI solutions for all kinds of mobile machines, said it is deploying its AI-based software development tools together with Nissan. The goal is to support the development of AI-defined vehicles.

As part of the work, Applied Intuition will use its Vehicle OS software to support the creation of Nissan's next-generation vehicle software platform, which the company characterizes as open and scalable. Applied Intuition's software teams in Japan and Silicon Valley will work alongside Nissan's engineering team in Japan. According to the announcement, the aim is to help shorten software development timelines and speed up the creation of AI-native vehicles.

How the tools are meant to help Nissan's engineers

Applied Intuition says Vehicle OS and its AI-native development tools are designed to support Nissan's in-house engineering teams in three ways:

• modernizing software workflows;
• reducing development complexity;
• enabling a common software platform that spans multiple powertrains.

The company adds that by abstracting hardware complexity and unifying traditional and modern software development practices, it will help accelerate Nissan's future vehicle programs.

Takashi Yoshizawa, corporate officer of the SDV Engineering Division at Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., said the carmaker is strengthening its software and AI development capabilities as it moves toward AI-defined vehicles. He said Nissan is seeking a more efficient and agile approach to vehicle development and highly values Applied Intuition's technical expertise and its track record in advanced vehicle software.

Qasar Younis, cofounder and chief executive of Applied Intuition, said Nissan is taking an ambitious approach to transforming how vehicles are developed. He said the company aspires to redefine how vehicles are developed, evolved and continuously updated over time, as well as the value customers expect from them.

From simulation to in-vehicle operating systems

The collaboration builds on a relationship that started in 2020, when Nissan adopted Applied Intuition's simulation technology. Since then, according to the announcement, the two companies have jointly advanced workflows for AI-based vehicle development. That included a live demonstration of a test vehicle based on the Nissan LEAF at the AWS Summit Japan event.

With the expanded agreement, the partnership moves beyond simulation to cover in-vehicle operating systems and AI-native software development.

What it means for the market

Applied Intuition says the deal reinforces its position as a trusted software partner for major automakers worldwide, including those based in Japan. The company states that the joint work with Nissan is intended to set a new industry standard for bringing AI-defined vehicles to market.

Applied Intuition was founded in 2017 and is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California. It says it works on physical AI across automotive, defense, trucking, construction, mining and agriculture, and has nearly two dozen offices worldwide, including London, Munich, Tokyo, Seoul and the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. The announcement did not give financial terms, vehicle models or a timeline for when the software will reach production cars.