Ericsson and Microsoft are partnering to develop an integrated connected car platform for the next generation of vehicles. The new platform integrates Ericsson’s Connected Vehicle Cloud with Microsoft’s Connected Vehicle Platform. The new solution is designed to make it easier and faster to develop new automotive applications and connected car services on a global scale.

According to the two companies, the new solution will allow car makers to deploy and scale global vehicle services such as fleet management, over-the-air software updates and connected safety services much easier and faster while reducing costs. They say it will provide flexibility through modular design and multiple deployment options.

Peggy Johnson, Executive Vice President, Business Development at Microsoft said: “Together with Ericsson, we intend to simplify the development of connected vehicle services to help car makers focus on their customers’ needs and accelerate the delivery of unique, tailor-made driving experiences.”

Ericsson’s Connected Vehicle Cloud connects more than 4 million vehicles across 180 countries worldwide – approximately 10 percent of the connected vehicle market. The platform is designed to provide vehicle manufacturers with scalability as well as the capability of supporting any connected vehicle service.

The Microsoft Connected Vehicle Platform (MCVP) is designed to accelerate delivery of personalised connected driving. It combines cloud infrastructure, edge technology as well as AI and IoT services. It includes in-vehicle infotainment, advanced navigation, autonomous driving, telematics and prediction services, and over-the-air updates. Microsoft said that MCVP includes “the hyperscale, global availability, and regulatory compliance that comes with Microsoft Azure”.

“The Ericsson and Microsoft partnership will deliver a comprehensive connected vehicle platform at scale to the market. Our integrated solutions will help automotive manufacturers accelerate their global connected vehicle solutions and offer a better experience for drivers and passengers,” said Åsa Tamsons, Senior Vice President and Head of Business Area Technologies & New Businesses.