Ola, Microsoft tie up to build connected vehicle platform
NEW DELHI/BENGALURU: In what could be a leg-up for cab aggregator Ola and help it become a supplier to auto companies worldwide, the company on Tuesday said it had tied up with Microsoft Corp. to build a new connected vehicle platform for car manufacturers. As part of the partnership, Microsoft will be a preferred cloud services provider to Ola and the Indian company will use Microsoft Azure for its Ola Play, the company’s existing connected car platform. This will transform driver and passenger experiences, providing vehicle diagnostics, improved in-car productivity, advanced navigation, predictive maintenance of vehicles and more, the company said.
“Both companies will collaborate to take this platform to car manufacturers globally, to integrate with vehicle systems,” Ola, run by ANI Technologies Pvt. Ltd, said in a statement.
Currently, Ola only sources cars from firms in India, although it is believed to be in talks about getting into a licensing agreement with Indian car companies to offer its Ola Play services.
Ola’s tie-up with Microsoft needs to be seen in the context of the changing dynamics of the auto industry, where auto makers want cars that can access the internet, read out emails, messages and social media updates, put out displays on an LED screen, pull up a route map, or make calls—all on command. Smart cars, possibly with ecosystems of their own, aren’t products of the distant future.
Ola’s tie-up with Microsoft goes a step further.
Ola Play, a connected car module for ride-sharing, will leverage Microsoft’s expertise in artificial intelligence and Internet of Things to spruce up driver and passenger experiences with tools such as telematics, navigation, cloud-based infotainment and productivity.
The advanced telematics platform will transform the car into a high-performing, intelligent vehicle, capable of assessing fuel efficiency, engine performance, and driver performance. It will also enable smarter navigation and predict breakdowns, among others.
Additionally, Ola can also suggest that its car suppliers use the platform in cars which it sources for itself, Majeed said.
Ola Play customers will be able to use productivity tools such as Office 365 and Skype for Business, as well as voice-assisted controls built using Microsoft Cognitive Services and Bot framework during their rides.
“Today’s car is quickly becoming the ultimate computing device...,” Satya Nadella, CEO, Microsoft, said in the statement.
“Together with Microsoft, we can make the new platform available to a larger global audience and unlock futuristic experiences for customers worldwide,” Bhavish Agarwal, CEO, Ola, said.