Highlights

  • Multiple premium automakers select Cerence xUI for next-generation in-car assistants
  • Platform integrates NVIDIA AI Enterprise with Microsoft Azure cloud infrastructure
  • Deployment timelines begin with vehicle programs scheduled from 2026

Cerence Inc. (NASDAQ:CRNC), operating as Cerence AI, announced customer adoption of its hybrid, agentic AI platform, Cerence xUI™, by multiple global automotive manufacturers. The platform, optimized with NVIDIA technologies and deployed on Microsoft’s Azure cloud, is expected to support next-generation in-car assistants scheduled for vehicle programs beginning in 2026.

The announcement follows an expanded collaboration between Cerence and NVIDIA disclosed in January 2025, aimed at accelerating the development and deployment of CaLLM™, Cerence’s family of automotive-grade large and small language models. These models form the foundation of the xUI platform and are designed specifically for in-vehicle conversational use cases.

Platform Architecture and Technology Stack

Cerence stated that it currently uses NVIDIA AI supercomputing on Azure alongside the NVIDIA AI Enterprise software suite to operationalize in-vehicle generative AI. This includes the NVIDIA NeMo framework and NVIDIA NIM microservices, which are used to support model development, deployment, and runtime performance. According to the company, these tools are intended to improve inference efficiency and support scalable production use. The AI models are available through the Microsoft Marketplace.

“Automakers are moving quickly to deliver conversational AI experiences that feel natural, intelligent, and helpful to drivers,” said Nils Schanz, EVP, Product & Technology at Cerence AI. “By deepening our collaboration with NVIDIA and Microsoft, we’ve accelerated the development and optimization of our CaLLM models and strengthened the capabilities of xUI, resulting in significant momentum. These customer wins reflect growing OEM confidence in AI platforms that marry high performance with efficient development.”

Automotive Deployment and Lifecycle Updates

Cerence explained that xUI’s hybrid, agentic architecture allows automotive manufacturers to manage both rapid AI model development and compressed production timelines. The platform supports software-based upgrades, enabling new large language model-powered features to be introduced to vehicles already in operation over time.

“Cerence xUI highlights what’s possible when automotive innovation meets enterprise-grade AI,” said Rishi Dhall, Vice President at NVIDIA. “Built on NVIDIA AI Enterprise and NVIDIA NIM on Microsoft Azure, Cerence delivers low-latency, production-ready AI optimized for the vehicle. Together, we’re enabling automakers to bring scalable, next-generation in-car assistants to market faster.”

“The strength of Microsoft, Cerence AI, and NVIDIA raises the bar for in-vehicle intelligence. With Cerence’s hybrid AI, NVIDIA AI Enterprise, and the scale and security of Microsoft Azure, automakers can deliver fast, reliable in-car assistants that bring next-generation AI to drivers everywhere,” said Dayan Rodriguez, Corporate Vice President, Manufacturing and Mobility, Microsoft.

CRNC closed at USD 11.09 on January 05, 2026.