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Tata Motors, Microsoft ink tech deal to make driving more personal
Tata Motors, the automobile major which also owns Jaguar Land Rover, announced a partnership with Redmond-headquartered Microsoft to make driving a more personal experience for car owners.
Tata Motors, the automobile major which also owns Jaguar Land Rover, announced a partnership with Redmond-headquartered Microsoft to make driving a more personal experience for car owners.
Through the partnership, Tata Motors, which is struggling to retain its market share, which is down to 5%, compared to 13% in 2013, wants to play a larger role in the connected car space, using technologies such as machine learning, artificial intelligence and internet-of-things. Together, the company hopes, to make the cars more personalised, smart and safe.
The first vehicle with these technologies will be showcased at the 87th Geneva International Motor Show on March 7. The company also said that the “user interface application” will be unique. It will offer features such as advanced navigation, predictive maintenance, telematics and remote monitoring features.
“With the aim to develop innovative and technologically leading products that excite customers, we at Tata Motors, understand the need for a connected ecosystem that can integrate into the digital lives of customers,” said Guenter Butschek, CEO and managing director, Tata Motors.
For a company, which is struggling with legacy issues such as large number of component manufacturers and internal bureaucracy, connected cars is a break away.
“We are using Microsoft’s connected vehicle technologies on Azure intelligent cloud to bring the digital lives of our customers into the cars they drive. Making the most of fast-paced innovation cycle that Microsoft has to offer, we will create a fully connected and seamless driving experience for our customers,” said Butschek.
“Using IoT (internet of things), AI (artificial intelligence) and machine learning technologies, we will provide vehicle owners in India and across the world a safe, productive and fun driving experience,” said Anant Maheshwari, president at Microsoft India.
Meanwhile, the company reported a heavy drop in net profits in its October to December quarter -- 96% down to Rs 112 crore -- as JLR looses steam.
Tata Motors has also launched what it called the TAMO campaign, to bring innovation through the startup ecosystem and develop vehicles with on-the-go connectivity, as the business of future.
(With inputs from Reuters)
