Microsoft, one of the leading tech giants in the globe, and Ola, the cab aggregator today announced a partnership, under which Ola will be using Microsoft's tools to build a new connected vehicle platform for the future. Ola will be building these tools for car manufacturers worldwide, and not only in India.
As part of this strategic partnership, Ola announced that Microsoft will be a preferred cloud provider and will use Microsoft Azure to power Ola Play, the company’s existing connected car platform.
"This will transform driver and passenger experiences with vehicle diagnostics, improved in-car productivity, advanced navigation, predictive maintenance of vehicles and more. Both companies will collaborate to take this platform to car manufacturers globally, to integrate with vehicle systems," said Ola in a press statement.
Ola Play will be the first platform to be used in this partnership. Ola Play is the world’s first connected car platform for ridesharing, that will leverage Microsoft AI and IoT to enhance driver experiences with telematics and navigation guidance; passenger experiences with cloud-based infotainment and productivity; and provide auto manufacturers with custom digital experiences for their customers.
Further, 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, in-car during their rides.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GXzC4LTnpg]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, enhancing safety and security while creating new business models and opportunities.
“Today’s car is quickly becoming the ultimate computing device and together with Ola, we’re focused on providing more intelligent, connected and productive experiences to our customers,” said Satya Nadella, CEO, Microsoft. “The combination of Microsoft Azure, Office 365 and our AI platform with Ola Play will deliver new customer experiences and business opportunities across the automotive ecosystem.”
The Ola Play service was launched in late 2016, and in a short span, the service has transformed the in-car experience for millions of Indians. Currently, Ola Play offers services such as Music, Movies, and other entertainment services.
