What's the progress of AI and SDV in 2026? | with Maitê Bezerra of Omdia
In a live recording from COVESA all-member meeting in Porto, Portugal, John and Omdia analyst Maitê Bezerra discuss the 2026 SDV survey, which reveals the industry expects to reach SDV level 3 by 2030. Key findings highlight a shift toward data-driven value creation and predictive maintenance, though organizational readiness still lags behind technology deployment by several years.
Chapters:
0:00 Introduction to COVESA Meeting
1:29 Guest Introduction: Maitê Bezerra
2:13 Transition from Wards Intelligence to Omdia
4:03 Key Conclusions from the SDV Survey
5:25 Understanding SDV Levels
7:01 Current State of Vehicles on the Road
9:52 Reality Check on Technology Deployment
12:04 Near-Term Future of Technology Implementation
13:01 Diversity of AI Use Cases
15:17 Shifts in Data Monetization Strategies
18:55 Regional Variations in Data Strategy
22:15 The Role of AI in Automotive
26:44 Predictive Maintenance as a Key Focus
30:28 Accessing the Survey Results
Chapters:
0:00 Introduction to COVESA Meeting
1:29 Guest Introduction: Maitê Bezerra
2:13 Transition from Wards Intelligence to Omdia
4:03 Key Conclusions from the SDV Survey
5:25 Understanding SDV Levels
7:01 Current State of Vehicles on the Road
9:52 Reality Check on Technology Deployment
12:04 Near-Term Future of Technology Implementation
13:01 Diversity of AI Use Cases
15:17 Shifts in Data Monetization Strategies
18:55 Regional Variations in Data Strategy
22:15 The Role of AI in Automotive
26:44 Predictive Maintenance as a Key Focus
30:28 Accessing the Survey Results
Creators and Guests
Host
John Heinlein, Ph.D.
An experienced technology and marketing leader, John brings his background from startups and established companies to Sonatus. He worked for 14 years at Arm, most recently leading Automotive Partnerships for North America where he engaged OEMs, Tier-1s, and others to deploy Arm-based solutions into automotive applications, including autonomous vehicles. His team was integral to launching the SOAFEE industry initiative for software-defined vehicles of which Sonatus is a member. Earlier he served as VP and Chief of Staff to the CEO and led a group responsible for competitive strategy. For three years, he was VP of Corporate Marketing where he led centralized outbound marketing, spanning marketing campaigns, press, events, web, digital marketing, ecosystem programs, and working closely with investor relations. Prior to Arm, John had an 11-year tenure at microprocessor startup Transmeta where he held several senior roles spanning business development, marketing, and customer success, among others. John earned his B.S. in Computer Engineering from Carnegie-Mellon University and an M.S. and Ph.D., both in Electrical Engineering, from Stanford University.
