Xiaomi, Microsoft team up to make AI- based devices
Xiaomi and Microsoft signed a Strategic FrameworkMemorandu m of Understanding ( MoU) to further deepen the partnership between the two companies. Microsoft’s technologies in cloud computing and AI will help in strengthening Xiaomi’s acceleration of its international expansion. Based on the strategic MoU, Xiaomi and Microsoft’s cooperation will focus on the following aspects:
Cloud support: Xiaomi is in the process of expanding its user base in the global market. Xiaomi and Microsoft will exp– lore utilising Microsoft Azure cloud platform to support Xiaomi’s user data storage, bandwidth, computing and other cloud services in inte– rnational markets.
Laptop– type devices: Xiaomi will leverage Microsoft’s support for joint marketing, chan– nel support, and fut– ure product developm– ent for Xiaomi’s laptop and laptop– type devices to penetrate interna– tional markets.
Microsoft Cortana and Mi AI Speaker: Both companies are discussing opportunities to integr– ate Cortana with Mi AI Speaker. Senior executives from both par– ties are involved to drive the technology integra– tion and collaboration for AI– powered speakers. AI services collaboration: Xiaomi and Microsoft intend to explore multiple cooperative projects bas– ed on a broad range of Microsoft AI technolgies, such as Computer Vision, Speech, Natural Langu– age Processing, Text Input, Conver– sational AI, Knowledge Graph and Search, as well as related Microsoft AI products and services, such as Bing, Edge, Cortana and Skype. This cooperation in AI technologies and products, on top of Xiaomi’s experience in hardware, big data, and its device ecosystem, as well as the signific– ant break throughs in core artificial intelligence technologies and products that Xiaomi has achieved, aims to generate even more synergy between hardware and software to the end– user experiences on Xiaomi devices.
Since 2015, Xiaomi has adopted Microsoft Azure operated by 21Vianet in China to run its Mi Cloud service for smartphone users; in June 2016, the two companies reached a global– scale partnership, and Xiaomi began to pre– install Microsoft Office and Skype apps on its Android– based phones and tablets, to benefit its customers with modern workforce and communication tools. Microsoft and Xiaomi also reached intellectual property ag– reements to help Xiaomi’s product go global entirely.