Digital mapping specialist TomTom partnered with software giant Microsoft to launch Generative AI and sell it to automakers across the world.
“Leveraging our navigation and technology expertise, we’re creating a groundbreaking new way for people to interact with their vehicles. With both companies integrating what they do best into one solution, we’re transforming the in-vehicle experience, enabling drivers to ask their car for anything and trust it will deliver.”
Mike Schoofs, Chief Revenue Officer, TomTom
Partnership details
TomTom has developed an advanced AI-powered voice assistant for cars using Microsoft’s Azure OpenAI Service. Meanwhile, the digital mapping specialist built the solution into its own Digital Cockpit, which is an open, modular in-car infotainment platform.
The press release indicated that the Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service enables TomTom’s voice assistant to access large language models, apart from Azure Kubernetes Services, Azure Cosmos DB, and Azure Cognitive Services.
Microsoft also stated that the partnership will enable drivers and automakers to benefit from new AI-based tools. It can also aid OEMs in launching distinct cockpit experiences to maintain their “unique brand identity.”
“We’re building on our longstanding collaboration with TomTom and bringing together AI advances across the Microsoft Cloud with TomTom’s automotive expertise to provide drivers and carmakers with new AI-powered tools. This integration will enable OEMs to offer highly differentiated and unique cockpit experiences, while preserving their unique brand identity.”
Dominik Wee, Corporate Vice President for Manufacturing and Mobility, Microsoft
How would the voice assistant work in cars?
The newly developed AI-based technology is a fully integrated conversational automotive assistant.
It apparently supports more advanced voice interaction with infotainment, location navigation, vehicle command systems, and AutoEvolution reports.
Impressively, owners can naturally converse with the system and ask it for various tasks such as follows:
- Navigate to a specific location
- Locate particular stops along the route
- Turn up the temperature
- Open windows
- Change radio stations, etc.
TomTom also assured potential OEM customers that they will still retain ownership of its branding despite integrating the new voice assistant into their interfaces.
However, TomTom has yet to announce the public launch of the new voice assistant.
TomTom and Microsoft’s long-standing partnership
TomTom and Microsoft initially formed a partnership in 2016, according to Reuters. TomTom started supporting Azure Maps location services with its digital mapping expertise.
They later expanded the partnership to include mapping data and services for the software giant’s first-party maps.
In a significant development, the two companies are now set to greater lengths with the development of a new AI-based voice assistant solution for vehicles. They have also now explored in-car digital cockpit and infotainment solutions with cloud analytics.
