Tencent and German automaker BMW on Monday announced a new partnership, which will see Tencent’s smart vehicle solutions—also known as Tencent Auto Intelligence (TAI)—integrated into BMW cars, as the duo aims to gain an edge in the smart mobility movement.
Without detailing a specific timetable, Tencent said it will roll out the “Tencent mini scenario,” a lite operating system hosting mini applications for connected vehicles, on BMW cars by year-end. It includes a music streaming service, restaurant-searching, as well as audio and video entertainment. BWM cars will also have a voice-enabled and entertainment-stripped version of the social app WeChat, which only allows drivers to send messages, make calls, and share locations.
In its push towards the “Internet of Vehicles” (IoV), Tencent has teamed up with more than 30 automakers including Mercedes-Benz, Changan, and Geely. Last year, Tencent and BMW signed a collaboration to develop autonomous driving technologies, KrASIA reported.
This article is part of KrASIA’s “China Brief” section, where KrASIA’s reporters will provide quick daily updates about the tech ecosystem in China.