Intel’s set up a $100 million fund to invest in cloud-based ‘connected car’ technology.
The Intel Capital Connected Car Fund will invest the money globally over the next four to five years in companies developing in-vehicle applications and communications technologies.
“Technology has become an integral component of everyday life, with consumers demanding uninterrupted access to the internet and the constant flow of information, news, entertainment, and social media,” says Arvind Sodhani, president of Intel Capital and Intel executive vice president.
“Automobiles must be able to provide these same consistent and engaging computing experiences, but in a safe manner. The Intel Capital Connected Car Fund will drive the development of technologies to enhance the in-vehicle experience of the future.”
The sort of technologies Intel’s looking at include in-car entertainment, speech recognition, gesture recognition and eye tracking.
The company says it also wants vehicles to communicate with the cloud, transportation infrastructure and other vehicles to provide advanced driver assistance and real-time traffic information.
As part of the project, Intel’s setting up new Automotive Innovation and Product Development Center in Karlsruhe, Germany, where it can install, test and showcase developments.
It’s also creating an academic outreach program focused on IVI and telematics, and expanding its Intel Labs Experience and Interaction Research in automotive.
“In today’s mobile world, personal computing touches every part of consumers’ daily lives while at home, at the office and on the road,” says Intel president and CEO Paul Otellini.
“By broadening our research efforts, academic and capital investments and opening the Automotive Innovation and Product Development Center, Intel is deepening its understanding of how people interact with their cars and how Intel innovations can enhance the automotive experience.”
