Tata Motors to leverage the startup ecosystem for its connected cars

Indian car maker, Tata Motors will be leveraging on the Indian startup ecosystem to foster innovation for its connected cars, which will be built under the TAMO sub-brand. The ring-fenced vertical, TAMO, will act as an open platform for the startups to incorporate technologies such as cloud computing, analytics, geo-spatial & mapping and increased human-machine interface for the connected vehicles industry. The platform addresses six themes – topline improvement, cost management, structural improvements, customer centricity, new mobility solutions and organizational effectiveness, which according to Tata Motors, will help the company “co-design India’s automotive footprint by taking new technologies and mobility concepts as a new ecosystem to market.” “With TAMO, we are starting a new era. The idea is to find new and agile ways of innovating and experimenting. Our success in this new mobility world will be contingent to our ability to network globally and to partner with new thought leaders. Our focus will be to scout for new technologies and to explore opportunities at the innovation hubs across the globe and to work with startups in the new spaces. Since this requires a different way of thinking, we will apply within TAMO also, new ways of working because leadership is all about time to market,” said Dr Tim Leverton, President & Head Advanced and Product Engineering, Tata Motors. Tata’s first connected vehicle, under the TAMO sub-brand, will be showcased at the 87th Geneva International Motor Show on 7th March 2017.

To leverage on Microsoft’s technology for connected cars

Meanwhile, the Indian auto company has signed an agreement with Microsoft India to leverage on the latter’s connected vehicle technologies. The vehicle will have Tata Motors’ user interface application and services suite utilizing Microsoft enabled functionalities like advanced navigation, predictive maintenance, telematics and remote monitoring features, using artificial intelligence (AI), advanced machine learning, and the Internet of Things (IoT) capabilities. All will of course be on Microsoft’s Azure cloud.

Commenting on the partnership, Guenter Butschek, CEO & MD, Tata Motors, said, “We are using Microsoft’s connected vehicle technologies on Azure intelligent cloud to bring the digital lives of our customers into the cars they drive. Making the most of fast-paced innovation cycle that Microsoft has to offer, we will create a fully connected and seamless driving experience for our customers.” Anant Maheshwari, President, Microsoft India, added, “Using IoT, AI and machine learning technologies, we will provide vehicle owners in India and across the world with a safe, productive and fun driving experience.”

What will the TAMO car have in the future

• Based on their profile and location data, vehicle owners can receive proactive point-of-interest, shopping and route assist recommendations
• Pre-emptive service alerts based on vehicle health data
• Using industry-leading firmware over the air (FOTA) and software over the air (SOTA) updates protocols, key vehicle settings can be updated remotely, over the cloud
• By capturing, analyzing and acting on live road conditions, vehicle owners can expect increased safety, and optimize vehicle performance by avoiding roadblocks and rough terrain. By unifying navigation, data elements like maps, weather, traffic, and parking, the solution can deliver optimized routing and location based services to vehicle owners.