Volkswagen Partners with Microsoft to Develop a Cloud Computing Platform

author: Manish Kharinta   

Collaborations between tech giants and car companies are a common sight these days. Recently we have seen Automotive producers and leaders in tech industry work on developing next-generation features like cryptocurrency and enhance the autonomous capabilities of their products. Introduction of these technologies and the desire to build the ultimate smart car has resulted in the discovery of new technological hurdles. To Tackle the challenge posed by data storage requirements of car-to-car and car-to-infrastructure communication, Volkswagen has turned to cloud computing.

Earlier this year we saw automakers like Ford and Hyundai enter into a partnership with technological companies. Joining the trend German carmaker Volkswagen has announced that it has also joined forces with Microsoft. The partnership aims to develop a cloud Network which the company has dubbed as the "Volkswagen Automotive Cloud". This network will be a comprehensive industrial Automotive cloud and will be used VW's future lineup.

The technology will offer a host of features which include smart home connectivity, a personal digital assistant, predictive maintenance service, media streaming, updates, upgrades and lots more. The network has been slated to go live in the year 2020 and VW aims to add over 5 million Volkswagen brand offerings per year to its Internet of Things (IoT) with the help of this cloud service. The German carmaker will use Microsoft's Azure Cloud platform as well as Azure IoT to build its cloud network.

Other prominent automakers like the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance and Volvo have also entered the space of Cloud connectivity incorporation for which they have partnered with Google. These carmakers plan on incorporating Android-based operating systems into the infotainment Systems of their future offerings.

In retrospect, Volkswagen's IoT venture is the most ambitious move in the segment. The automotive industry today is dedicating its resources to make impressive strides in developing advanced autonomous and electric vehicles. This undertaking requires carmakers to come up with an effective approach of managing and transmitting large amounts of data to their vehicles. Incorporating cloud-based storage and communication platform poses as a commendable solution to the challenges faced by these automakers.

This process will require engaging and incentivizing consumers to participate in the process of refining the system as automakers will require massive amounts of specific data. Like the privileged information shared with social media sites and cell phone carriers, consumers need to constantly relay data like the vehicle speed and location, so the carmakers can optimize this technology and make it more efficient.

Manish Kharinta

Manish Kharinta is a automotive writer based in the Los Angeles area. He has worked for automotive industry websites TheSmokingClutch.com, CarDekho.com and CarBikeindia.com. His experience ranges from covering auto shows, to car reviews and breaking automotive news. Manish aims to bring forth his unique perspective on automotive design and technological innovations in the automotive industry.