Accelerating Commercialization of Autonomous Vehicles in Partnership with GM and MS

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] Cruise, a subsidiary of General Motors (GM) specializing in autonomous vehicles, is establishing a long-term strategic partnership with Microsoft (MS) to accelerate the commercialization of autonomous vehicles.

Korea GM announced on the 21st that it plans to mutually share expertise in ▲software ▲hardware engineering ▲cloud computing ▲manufacturing know-how with MS.

Cruise plans to lead the large-scale commercialization of its proprietary autonomous vehicle solutions by leveraging MS's cloud and edge computing platform, Azure, to maximize the potential of cloud computing for autonomous vehicles. MS, which will provide the cloud infrastructure for Cruise, also expects a mutually beneficial relationship by utilizing Cruise’s deep industry expertise accumulated over time to enhance customer-driven product innovation and deliver global mobility services fueled by continuous investment in Azure.

Additionally, GM plans to accelerate various digitalization projects such as storage, artificial intelligence (AI), and automated learning functions through its partnership with MS, which provides public cloud services. Together with MS, GM will seek opportunities to improve operational efficiency and productivity across the digital supply chain while enabling customers to access mobility services as quickly as possible.

Mary Barra, GM Chairperson and CEO, said, "As GM drives toward zero traffic accidents, zero carbon emissions, and zero traffic congestion, our collaboration with MS will be a great help to the team." She added, "MS will contribute to accelerating the commercialization of Cruise’s pure electric autonomous vehicles and help GM maintain continuous momentum by creating new businesses and services driven by cloud computing as we launch 30 new electric vehicles worldwide by 2025."

Dan Ammann, CEO of Cruise, also stated, "Cruise’s goal to provide safer and superior transportation at reasonable prices for everyone is not just a technological battle but a competition of trust." He added, "As the commercialization of future mobility encompassing autonomous vehicles, pure electric vehicles, and vehicle sharing is underway, our partnership with MS, which is recognized as a global standard in the industry, will be a great strength for us."

Satya Nadella, CEO of MS, said, "Advances in digital technology are redefining not only the movement of people and things but all aspects of our work and life." He added, "Based on Azure, which will provide cloud services to Cruise, we will support GM in becoming a mainstream player in the autonomous vehicle sector."

Meanwhile, through this collaboration, GM plans to make a new equity investment of approximately $2 billion (about 2.198 trillion KRW) in Cruise together with MS, Honda, and other institutional investors. As a result, GM expects Cruise’s corporate value to reach $30 billion (about 32.97 trillion KRW).