Mapbox Launches Virtual Head Unit in Collaboration with Arm to Accelerate Navigation for Software-Defined Vehicles | PR Newswire [Video]

The new virtual testbench empowers OEMs to streamline development on Arm-based hardware

, /PRNewswire/ — Mapbox, the leading platform for powering location experiences, has launched its Virtual Head Unit (VHU) in partnership with Arm. This cloud-based solution empowers OEMs to expedite integration, testing, and validation of their navigation systems by virtualizing Arm-based in-vehicle hardware and seamlessly integrating Mapbox’s navigation stack. With the VHU, OEMs can kickstart software validation earlier in the development cycle, accelerating the delivery of innovative, software-driven vehicles to market.

As the industry transitions to Software-Defined Vehicles (SDVs), automotive OEMs face mounting pressure to deliver seamless, continuously updated digital experiences similar to smartphones. Traditionally, software validation was constrained by the availability of physical hardware, resulting in delays and logistical challenges. The Mapbox Virtual Head Unit (VHU) overcomes these limitations by providing developers with a ready-to-use, cloud-based virtual machine that emulates Arm-based automotive hardware and integrates the full Mapbox …