LG and Microsoft have entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to develop automotive technologies. Under the agreement, LG will take advantage of Microsoft’s Azure cloud and AI tech to develop its digital platform for the vehicle industry, a market which LG says is key.
Discussing the MoU, Sanjay Ravi, general manager, automotive industry at Microsoft, said:
“Together LG and Microsoft can help shape the future of transportation. Working together, we can empower automakers to deliver differentiated mobility experiences, create new services and revenue opportunities, and to build safer, more intelligent and more sustainable vehicles.”
Meanwhile, Kim Jin-yong, president of LG’s Vehicle Component Solutions Company, said:
“Our expectation is that the combination of Microsoft’s advanced cloud infrastructure with LG’s fast-growing automotive components business will accelerate the self-driving auto industry as a whole. We’re confident that the combination of Microsoft and LG technologies will create a new benchmark in autonomous auto AI.”
Under the deal, LG will use Microsoft’s AI expertise to enhance its Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), Driver-Status Monitoring Camera (DSM), and its Multi-Purpose Front Camera products. Microsoft’s Virtual Assistant Solution Accelerator will also be integrated into LG’s infotainment systems. LG said that Microsoft’s technology will help the self-driving software continually improve.
To further support its self-driving software, LG plans to use high performance computing and GPUs supported by Microsoft Azure. It noted that these technologies will reduce the time needed by the software to learn and adapt, analyzing patterns in cities which would normally take an entire day to run, would take just several minutes using Azure.
This move will help autonomous vehicles land on roads even sooner; for consumers, the autonomous vehicle market could be significant even if you don"t own an autonomous vehicle yourself as firms like Uber plan to adopt such technology.