ThunderSoft
ThunderSoft (中科创达, SZSE: 300496) is a Chinese public-listed intelligent operating system provider delivering AI-native vehicle OS (AquaDrive AIOS), smart cockpit and HMI (Kanzi, E-Cockpit), IoT OS (OSWare), and edge AI platforms. Founded 2008 in Beijing, it serves automotive OEMs and Tier-1s, IoT manufacturers, and robotics companies across 40+ cities worldwide with 13,000+ professionals.
- Company typePublic
- Founded2008
- HeadquartersBeijing, China
- Headcount5,001–10,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What ThunderSoft does
ThunderSoft (中科创达, SZSE: 300496), founded in 2008 in Beijing and listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange in 2015 as China's first publicly traded intelligent operating system company, provides AI-native operating system technologies, products, and solutions across intelligent vehicles, IoT devices, and robotics. Its core technology is the AIOS (AI-native Operating System), a full-stack four-layer architecture that integrates AI capabilities directly at the OS layer and is delivered through three flagship platforms: AquaDrive AIOS (vehicle OS consolidating cockpit, autonomous driving, navigation, and AI Agents), Kanzi (industry-standard 3D HMI engine and toolchain), and E-Cockpit (smart cockpit software platform serving 40+ automotive brands). Supporting products include OSWare for IoT, ThunderHPC domain controllers, RazorDCX cockpit-driving fusion controllers (Tarkine, Pantanal, Congo), AIBOX for in-vehicle large AI models, and edge AI hardware such as TurboX Edge Box, EB8, RUBIK Pi 3, and the TurboX IRB10 robotics kit.
The company operates through direct enterprise sales to automotive OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers (BYD, Li Auto, NIO, HiPhi, Geely, Toyota, SAIC GM, Hyundai Mobis, and the Volkswagen Group via the CARThunder JV) plus JVs that embed its software into mass-produced vehicles, IoT modules, and devices. Revenue derives from a mix of software licensing and royalties (AquaDrive, Kanzi, OSWare), professional services and integration projects (E-Cockpit, cockpit-driving development), hardware through the Thundercomm Qualcomm JV (TurboX SOMs, Edge AI Stations), and one-time toolchain licenses (Kanzi, VideoCat, ModelFarm). It also earns passive scale through strategic subsidiaries: ThunderX (autonomous driving) backed by Qualcomm Ventures and Luxshare Precision; Thundercomm (IoT JV with Qualcomm); KNEWBOTS (logistics robots); CARThunder (VW/CARIAD JV, 51% / 49%); and acquired brands Rightware and MM Solutions that contribute imaging and HMI IP. Customers span automotive (50M+ vehicles in mass production), IoT (100B+ devices powered), consumer electronics (Lenovo, Sharp), luxury goods (Louis Vuitton), enterprise communications (Cisco, Polycom), agriculture (Bayer), and robotics (OrionStar), with the company operating from R&D and support centers in 40+ cities worldwide.
The GTM motion is enterprise field sales targeting automotive OEMs and Tier-1s, supplemented by OEM-embedded distribution through CARThunder, Thundercomm, and semiconductor channels (Qualcomm, NVIDIA) that pre-validate ThunderSoft's software on their automotive and IoT platforms. The company pursues co-development partnerships with NVIDIA (AIBOX), Amazon Web Services / Amazon Bedrock (edge-to-cloud AI cockpits at CES 2026), HERE Technologies (HD mapping and navigation), Qualcomm (Claw AI ecosystem), AISpeech (voice AI), Schaeffler (central compute), and Lamborghini/Hyundai AutoEver. Events-led demand generation at CES, Auto China, IAA Mobility, and embedded world completes a multi-channel motion. Headcount stands at 13,000+ professionals including 4,000+ automotive engineers, and certifications at CARThunder include TISAX, ISO 21434, and ASPICE CL2, with ISO 26262 functional-safety compliance supported through SAFERTOS adoption at ThunderX.
ThunderSoft firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- ThunderSoft
- Legal name
- Thunder Software Technology Co., Ltd.
- Website
- https://thundersoft.com
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 2008
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 5,001–10,000 employees
- Short description
- ThunderSoft (中科创达, SZSE: 300496) is a Chinese public-listed intelligent operating system provider delivering AI-native vehicle OS (AquaDrive AIOS), smart cockpit and HMI (Kanzi, E-Cockpit), IoT OS (OSWare), and edge AI platforms. Founded 2008 in Beijing, it serves automotive OEMs and Tier-1s, IoT manufacturers, and robotics companies across 40+ cities worldwide with 13,000+ professionals.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
ThunderSoft industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Automotive Software
- NAICS
- Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511)
- SIC
- Computer Communications Equipment (3576)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Video Telematics, ADAS & AI Dashcams (TLAEAFAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Automotive Instrument Clusters, Displays & HMI Electronics Manufacturing (IMACAJAG), Embedded & HMI Electronics Manufacturing (Industrial PCs, HMIs, Panel PCs) (IMAGAGAD), AI Application Enablement Platforms (Copilot/Agent Frameworks, SDKs) (HDAEANAJ), AI/ML Solution Integration & MLOps Enablement (BPAEAAAJ)
Keywords
Where ThunderSoft is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Beijing
- HQ country
- China
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices7 records
Markets served
ThunderSoft business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Software Licensing & IP: ThunderSoft generates revenue through licensing its AIOS operating system platforms, Kanzi HMI tools, and middleware software to automotive OEMs and IoT device manufacturers. The company provides production-ready software solutions that are embedded into mass-production vehicles and devices.
- Software Development Services: Professional services including operating system development, human-machine interfaces, cockpit software, and cloud development for automotive and technology partners. Joint ventures like CARThunder deliver full-stack intelligent cockpit software development and mass production.
- Hardware Modules (SOMs): Thundercomm joint venture sells system-on-module products including TurboX C8550, CT4490, C2210, C4210, C5430, and EB series edge AI stations built on Qualcomm platforms for IoT applications.
- Toolchain & Development Tools: Revenue from Kanzi UI development tools, VideoCat, ModelFarm AI development environment, and comprehensive toolchains for automotive and robotics development.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Enterprise software and solutions contracts |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
ThunderSoft product offering
Product offeringCore offering
ThunderSoft develops and licenses AI-native operating system (AIOS) platforms, HMI software, and edge AI solutions for intelligent vehicles, IoT devices, and robotics. Its product portfolio includes AquaDrive AIOS for vehicles, Kanzi 3D HMI engine, E-Cockpit smart cockpit platform, OSWare IoT operating system, ThunderHPC domain controllers, AIBOX AI compute solutions, and RazorDCX autonomous driving controllers, sold primarily to automotive OEMs, Tier-1 suppliers, and IoT device manufacturers.
Product overview
ThunderSoft is an AI Operating System (AIOS) products and technologies provider offering a comprehensive portfolio of platforms and modules across intelligent vehicles, AIoT devices, and robotics. The core product offering centers on AquaDrive AIOS, an AI-native vehicle operating system that consolidates cockpit, autonomous driving, navigation, and AI Agents. Key platform products include Kanzi (3D graphics engine and HMI toolchain), E-Cockpit (smart cockpit platform), OSWare (IoT operating system), and ThunderHPC (domain controller). The add-on module ecosystem encompasses edge computing devices (TurboX Edge Box, TurboX EB8), development kits (RUBIK Pi 3, TurboX IRB10), AI platforms (AIBOX, Model Farm), vehicle domain controllers (RazorDCX series), and AI agent frameworks (OpenClaw, AquaClaw). ThunderSoft's subsidiaries include ThunderX (autonomous driving), Thundercomm (IoT joint venture), KNEWBOTS (logistics robots), and CARThunder (Volkswagen joint venture). The company serves over 50 million mass-produced vehicles, billions of mobile devices, and hundreds of millions of IoT devices globally.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- AquaDrive OS: AI-native vehicle operating system for intelligent cockpits and autonomous driving integration
- Kanzi
- E-Cockpit
- ThunderHPC
- OSWare
- TurboX
- AIBOX
- AquaClaw
Products and services
- AquaDrive AIOS AI-native vehicle operating system platform that consolidates cockpit, autonomous driving, navigation, and AI Agents into a unified experience architecture. Supports the industry's shift from Software-Defined Vehicles to AI-Defined Vehicles with full-stack AI-native four-layer architecture.
- Kanzi 4 Next-generation automotive 3D graphics engine and HMI toolchain that brings 3A game-level graphics capabilities to vehicles. Designed for real-time visual rendering, high performance, and seamless AI integration in modern intelligent cockpits.
- Kanzi Globally acclaimed 3D engine and HMI toolchain for automotive manufacturers. Simplifies developer workflows, delivers superior user experiences, and serves as the preferred UI development tool for major automakers worldwide.
- E-Cockpit Smart cockpit software platform equipped with intelligent connected OS, middleware, Kanzi-based HMI application framework, VideoCat development tools, and testing solutions. Serves over 40 global automotive brands with advanced driving experiences.
- OSWare (物联网操作系统) Next-generation IoT operating system that helps customers achieve cross-environment standardization and accelerate development of edge-native and distributed applications. Provides hardware-software integrated one-stop solutions for vertical industries.
- ThunderHPC Next-generation HPC domain controller combining Smart Cockpit, Smart Driving, and Smart Parking into a 3-in-1 integrated solution. Targets the industry's shift toward software-defined and AI-defined vehicles with central computing architecture.
- AIBOX Industry-first AI compute solution bringing large AI models into mass-production vehicles. Built on NVIDIA DRIVE AGX with full-stack software including AquaDrive AIOS. Features elastic compute architecture, multi-agent capabilities, and supports air and liquid cooling.
- TurboX Edge Box / Edge AI Station Comprehensive edge computing device providing advanced software and hardware infrastructure for industry digital transformation. Enables real-time AI processing at the edge for industrial and robotic applications.
- TurboX IRB10 Development board and reference design for Physical AI applications including autonomous mobile robots and humanoid robots. Built on Qualcomm Dragonwing IQ10 series with high-performance heterogeneous computing and AI acceleration.
- RUBIK Pi 3 AI open hardware development kit powered by Qualcomm QCS6490 delivering 12 TOPS of AI compute performance. Supports local deployment of 1.8B parameter models with optimized Ubuntu 24.04 LTS. Enables edge AI workloads and multi-device orchestration.
- Model Farm AI development environment and algorithms platform for edge AI development. Part of comprehensive edge AI product and service matrix.
- IoT Cloud Access Platform (ATP) IoT cloud connectivity platform enabling device connection and management. Part of comprehensive edge AI product and service offerings.
- RazorDCX Tarkine Industry's first single-SoC cockpit-driver fusion domain controller powered by Qualcomm SA8775P. Built on 4nm process delivering 72 TOPS and 230k DMIPS. Supports 3D HMI, in-cabin vision, gaming, multimedia, and ADAS features including automatic parking and highway NOA.
- RazorDCX Congo Autonomous driving domain controller with high cost-performance ratio based on Qualcomm Snapdragon Ride platform SA8620P. Delivers 36 TOPS/80K DMIPS computing power supporting 5V5R12USS sensor configurations for high-speed NOA and parking integration.
- KNEWBOTS Logistics Robots Subsidiary robotics solutions for warehouse and intralogistics environments. Combines autonomous navigation, perception, and task scheduling for efficient large-scale logistics operations.
- FOTA Solution Firmware Over The Air update solution modernized with AWS IoT Core. Achieves 99.9% high availability SLA, employs small differential packages, and operates as SaaS and PaaS. Deployed across home appliances, security, automotive, manufacturing, healthcare, and wearables sectors.
- AI Home Hub AIOS-driven smart home system that coordinates multiple devices including AI refrigerators and AI glasses. Runs AI workloads locally and manages device collaboration at OS level for personalized services.
- Smart Cockpit Platforms Comprehensive smart cockpit solution combining intelligent connected operating system, middleware, HMI framework, and testing tools. Delivers advanced driving experiences for global automotive brands.
- IoT Computing Platform (Smart Module) Smart brain and IoT computing platform providing core processing capabilities for IoT devices and smart applications.
- System Software Solutions (Smartphone) Full-stack smartphone OS services including system software solutions, customization, and global carrier certification services for device manufacturers.
Quantifiable outcome
- 50+ million vehicles powered with ThunderSoft software
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use ThunderSoft
Customer profileNamed customers16 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
ThunderSoft technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration5 records
AI capability10 records
Feature10 records
ThunderSoft partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.
- Qualcomm 'Claw' In-vehicle AI EcosystemcoreThunderSoft is a founding partner in Qualcomm's 'Claw' in-vehicle AI ecosystem initiative alongside Chengmai Technology, CheLianTianXia, Banma Network, Desay SV, and Megajoy to accelerate AI agent assistant deployment in vehicles.
- SchaefflercoreStrategic partnership to jointly develop central computing platform for next-generation vehicle architectures targeting software-defined and AI-defined vehicles. Combines Schaeffler's automotive electronic systems expertise with ThunderSoft's central vehicle software platforms and operating systems.
- OBIGOminorStrategic partnership to build scalable connected car content ecosystem through OBIGO's in-vehicle content platform integrated with ThunderSoft's automotive software solutions.
- AISpeech (思必驰)coreStrategic partnership at Beijing Auto Show to create next-generation in-vehicle ecosystem, integrating AISpeech's voice AI capabilities with ThunderSoft's cockpit platforms.
- Alexa / Amazon Web Servicescore深化全球合作 联合打造新一代智能座舱语音解决方案 - Deepened global collaboration to jointly create next-generation intelligent cockpit voice solutions leveraging Alexa and AWS cloud services.
- Hyundai AutoEverminorCooperation memorandum signed at Auto China 2026 to explore ISR integration and zonal control solutions for intelligent vehicles.
- Amazon Web Services (AWS)coreJointly developed edge-to-cloud AI solution for next-generation intelligent cockpits at CES 2026, integrating ThunderSoft's AquaDrive AIOS with foundation models and agents managed by Amazon Bedrock for generative AI in vehicles.
- NVIDIAcoreCollaboration at IAA 2025 with Geely to debut AIBOX - industry-first solution bringing large AI models into mass-production vehicles built on NVIDIA DRIVE AGX automotive computing platform accelerated by ThunderSoft's AquaDrive AIOS.
- HERE TechnologiescoreStrategic partnership to jointly advance intelligent navigation and high-definition mapping solutions for automotive. ThunderSoft's Aqua Drive OS integrates HERE location data, SDK, HD Maps, and autonomous driving solutions, developing immersive 3D HD mapping combining HERE map data with ThunderSoft's Kanzi Map engine.
- AWS IoT CorecoreModernizing FOTA (Firmware Over-The-Air) solution with AWS IoT Core, enabling secure and rapid updates for IoT devices with low-latency, high-throughput performance. Solution available in AWS Marketplace serving home appliances, security, automotive, manufacturing, healthcare, and wearables sectors.
- Volkswagen Group / CARIADflagshipPartnership to accelerate development of connectivity and infotainment systems in China. Established CARThunder joint venture (51% ThunderSoft, 49% CARIAD) to deliver localized cockpit software for Volkswagen Group brands including Audi, Porsche, FAW-Volkswagen, SAIC Volkswagen, Volkswagen Anhui.
- QualcommcoreLong-standing ecosystem partnership for automotive and IoT platforms. Thundercomm joint venture (with Qualcomm) develops SOMs (TurboX series) and edge AI solutions on Qualcomm platforms. Qualcomm invested in ThunderX for autonomous driving development.
- AISpeech, HERE, Dirac, ETAS, ModelBest, Qwen, Volcano EnginecoreGlobal ecosystem of automotive and AI partners integrated with AquaDrive OS 2.0 Pre, expanding functional capabilities and enabling OEMs to build differentiated intelligent vehicles for global markets.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
ThunderSoft competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- ECARX: Chinese connected car and cockpit OS provider serving Geely-affiliated OEMs. Most direct comparable to ThunderSoft's automotive OS and E-Cockpit business, targeting the same AI-cockpit design wins in China.
- Wind River Systems: Embedded RTOS and automotive software platform provider. Comparable to ThunderSoft's E-Cockpit, domain controller stack, and OSWare IoT operating system offerings in safety-certified embedded software.
- BlackBerry QNX: Embedded automotive OS (QNX Neutrino) used widely in cockpit and ADAS. Comparable to ThunderSoft's AIOS and SAFERTOS-based domain controller stack at the foundational OS layer for vehicles.
- Desay SV: Chinese smart cockpit and ADAS Tier-1 supplier. Directly comparable as a Chinese cockpit platform provider competing for the same OEM design-wins and software stack share.
- PATEO: Chinese smart cockpit Tier-1 supplier. Direct comparable in vehicle cockpit HMI, connected car, and software platform services for Chinese OEMs, named in the same 2025 industry cockpit Tier-1 rankings.
- Neusoft Group: Major Chinese automotive software and cockpit Tier-1 supplier. Directly comparable to ThunderSoft in serving Chinese OEMs with intelligent cockpit software, IVI, and ADAS-related engineering services.
Broad incumbents
- Aptiv: Global automotive technology supplier for cockpit, ADAS, and connectivity. Comparable to ThunderSoft at the portfolio level on smart cockpit and central compute, but operating at scale across all major Western OEMs.
- Huawei Intelligent Automotive Solution (HI): Huawei's automotive BU offering HarmonyOS Cockpit, MDC compute, and ADAS. Comparable competitor to ThunderSoft in Chinese AI-cockpit and HPC domain controller markets with substantially larger R&D and capital resources.
- Harman International: Samsung-owned automotive technology and cockpit solutions provider. Overlaps with ThunderSoft on in-vehicle infotainment, cockpit software, and connected services, but at much larger scale and broader portfolio.
- Elektrobit: Automotive software specialist owned by Continental, providing OS, HMI, and ADAS software. Comparable to ThunderSoft's automotive OS and HMI toolchain but operating as part of a much larger automotive electronics portfolio.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat7 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
ThunderSoft social profiles
Digital presenceThunderSoft compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
ThunderSoft financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
ThunderSoft leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
ThunderSoft subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries7 records
ThunderSoft funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds3 records
Investors4 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
ThunderSoft M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A2 records
Investments13 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about ThunderSoft
What does ThunderSoft do?
ThunderSoft develops and licenses AI-native operating system (AIOS) platforms, HMI software, and edge AI solutions for intelligent vehicles, IoT devices, and robotics. Its product portfolio includes AquaDrive AIOS for vehicles, Kanzi 3D HMI engine, E-Cockpit smart cockpit platform, OSWare IoT operating system, ThunderHPC domain controllers, AIBOX AI compute solutions, and RazorDCX autonomous driving controllers, sold primarily to automotive OEMs, Tier-1 suppliers, and IoT device manufacturers.
Is ThunderSoft a public or private company?
ThunderSoft is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was ThunderSoft founded?
ThunderSoft was founded in 2008. It employs 5,001 to 10,000 people.
Where is ThunderSoft based?
ThunderSoft is headquartered in Beijing, China, in the Asia region.
How does ThunderSoft make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Software Licensing & IP is the primary driver. The others are software Development Services, hardware Modules (SOMs) and toolchain & Development Tools.
Who are ThunderSoft's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are ECARX, Wind River Systems, BlackBerry QNX, Desay SV, PATEO and Neusoft Group. Broad incumbents are Aptiv, Huawei Intelligent Automotive Solution (HI), Harman International and Elektrobit.
Does ThunderSoft have an API?
No public API is recorded for ThunderSoft.
What industry is ThunderSoft in?
ThunderSoft's product category is Automotive Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is TLAEAFAG, Video Telematics, ADAS & AI Dashcams, with a secondary code of IMACAJAG, Automotive Instrument Clusters, Displays & HMI Electronics Manufacturing. Its NAICS code is 334511 and its SIC code is 3576.