British automobile giant Jaguar Land Rover has announced a closer relationship with CloudCar, a startup specializing in connected car experiences, by making a $15m investment.
CloudCar, which is based in Palo Alto, California, is a world-leading developer of connected driver experiences.
With machine-learning capabilities tied to various sensors in the car, its CloudCar’s cloud services platform allows car manufacturers to use its capability — including improved voice-activated applications and personalisation — while still maintaining their brand identity and retaining ownership of data.
Hanno Kirner, executive director of corporate strategy for Jaguar Land Rover, said, “This represents an important step in developing connected car technology. CloudCar has been working with premium manufacturers on some of the most exciting opportunities and challenges in the fields of machine learning and infotainment.
“This investment is integral to Jaguar Land Rover’s vehicle technology programme: but the programme also presents an invaluable opportunity for other automotive manufacturers to get involved.
“The eventual need to integrate into the car hundreds of driver-focused global cloud services and content means this platform is an excellent example where cooperation between OEMs can improve outcomes for customers, as well as reducing costs.”
According to reports from VentureBeat, CloudCar raised $11.5m while in stealth mode back in 2012, so this latest cash injection takes the company’s total outside investment past the $25m mark.
For Jaguar Land Rover, the investment is part of the company’s ambition to be the first to roll out the next-generation CloudCar platform in its first fully electric model, Jaguar I-PACE.
Philipp Popov, CEO of CloudCar, said, “We are excited to deepen our relationship with Jaguar Land Rover and we also look forward to other manufacturers benefitting from our recent progress.”
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