Dive Brief:
- Stellantis has acquired CloudMade’s artificial intelligence framework, machine learning models, intellectual property rights, and patents to support its software-defined vehicle and mobility strategies, the automaker said Wednesday.
- More than 40 CloudMade engineers and software developers will join Stellantis to support AI development.
- Stellantis said CloudMade’s cloud and software development kit would help it improve the in-car user experience by collecting and analyzing automotive data.
Dive Insight:
Automakers are increasingly investing in software and related technologies as vehicles gradually transform into smartphones on wheels.
The investments come as recent studies suggest car companies and their supply chains are not fully prepared for a more software-defined future. A recent AlixPartners survey found only 1 in 4 automakers and Tier 1 suppliers are fully prepared for software-defined vehicles. Moreover, a September report from Deloitte found car companies lack the ability to develop the technology for software-defined vehicles internally, making it necessary to partner with suppliers, regulators and other stakeholders.
As a result, Stellantis and other vehicle manufacturers are partnering with or acquiring other companies to reinvent their products for electric and autonomous vehicles. Stellantis formed a joint venture with Foxconn in June to design and market semiconductors for the automotive industry. Other automakers, including Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Corp., are reorganizing their corporate structures to support software development and mobility services.
Now, Stellantis is building up the software capacity needed to get the most out of its increasingly powerful hardware.
“The acquisition of CloudMade’s pioneering AI capabilities will accelerate our development journey on STLA SmartCockpit,” said Stellantis Chief Software Officer Yves Bonnefont in a statement. “Thanks to this adaptable technology and leveraging our growing connected car parc, we will create intelligent mobility solutions faster and with more flexibility, to delight our customers with in-vehicle and mobile experience personalization.”
Stellantis said CloudMade’s technology would allow it to offer predictive maintenance and diagnostics, personalized in-car experiences, a Stellantis-specific voice assistant, a proprietary navigation system, fleet management features and more.
The acquisition will also allow Stellantis to create development kits for its software developers to make custom machine-learning models, the press release says.
