TomTom and Microsoft Collaborating To Bring Generative AI and Cloud Analytics To Vehicles

• TomTom develops an advanced AI-powered voice assistant for drivers based on Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service.
• The solution is built into TomTom’s Digital Cockpit and can be integrated into other automotive infotainment systems.
• TomTom and Microsoft are collaborating to develop new automotive solutions that leverage AI capabilities, cloud analytics, and Microsoft’s automotive reference architectures.

TomTom (TOM2), the Amsterdam-based location technology company, today announced that it is collaborating with Microsoft to bring the benefits of generative artificial intelligence (AI) to the global automotive industry.

Leveraging Microsoft's advancements in AI, TomTom has developed a fully integrated, AI-powered conversational automotive assistant that enables more sophisticated voice interaction with infotainment, location search, and vehicle command systems. Drivers can converse naturally with their vehicle and ask the AI-powered assistant to navigate to a certain location, find specific stops along their route, and vocally control onboard systems to, for instance, turn up the temperature, open windows, or change radio stations. All with a single interaction.

The solution integrates Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service to take advantage of large language models in addition to Azure Kubernetes Services, Azure Cosmos DB, and Azure Cognitive Services. The voice assistant can be integrated into other automotive infotainment systems, enabling automotive customers to accelerate time-to-market on a customizable interface while retaining ownership of their branding and the driver experience. The solution is also built into TomTom’s Digital Cockpit, an open, modular in-vehicle infotainment platform.

“Together with Microsoft, our shared vision is to drive innovation with generative AI and provide our customers with even better solutions,” says Mike Schoofs, Chief Revenue Officer, TomTom. “Leveraging our navigation and technology expertise, we’re creating a groundbreaking new way for people to interact with their vehicles. With both companies integrating what they do best into one solution, we’re transforming the in-vehicle experience, enabling drivers to ask their car for anything and trust it will deliver."

“With this next generation of AI, we have a unique opportunity to accelerate innovation across the entire automotive sector,” said Dominik Wee, Corporate Vice President for Manufacturing and Mobility, Microsoft. “We’re building on our longstanding collaboration with TomTom and bringing together AI advances across the Microsoft Cloud with TomTom's automotive expertise to provide drivers and carmakers with new AI-powered tools. This integration will enable OEMs to offer highly differentiated and unique cockpit experiences, while preserving their unique brand identity.”

TomTom started working with Microsoft in 2016, with TomTom powering Azure Maps location services, and the companies later expanding their partnership to mapping data and services for Microsoft's first-party maps. As a natural evolution of their relationship, the companies are now collaborating on automotive solutions, driving innovation for generative AI-powered automotive solutions, and developing an in-vehicle digital cockpit and infotainment solution with cloud analytics.

Fractal strengthens its Cloud AI business: Acquires enterprise AI provider Zerogons

Acquisition adds depth to Fractal's AI and Cloud Engineering capabilities to accelerate 'data to decisions'

MUMBAI, India, Jan. 15, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Fractal, (fractal.ai), a global provider of artificial intelligence and advanced analytics solutions to Fortune 500® companies, today announced the acquisition of Zerogons, for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition will help strengthen Fractal's Cloud AI business and accelerate the 'data to decisions' journey for its Fortune 500® clients.

Pranay Agrawal, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, Fractal, said, "Sandeep and Divya have built a world class AI/ML engineering platform and team at Zerogons. Cloud is the home of AI, and we are excited to partner with Zerogons to operationalize AI for our clients through cloud and engineering."

Ajoy Singh, Chief Operating Officer, Fractal, said, "We are delighted to welcome the capable team at Zerogons to Fractal. This acquisition strengthens our Cloud Engineering and AI offerings and helps us deliver high velocity and value in our continuing journey to power every human decision in the enterprise."

Sandeep Mehta, Co-founder, Zerogons said, "We are happy to become a part of one of the leading AI companies in the world. Fractal shares our vision of building the most innovative AI & ML solutions for the industry. With enterprises increasingly demanding cloud based AI solutions to solve both, their immediate challenges and longer term growth objectives, we are well placed as a combined entity to accelerate our clients' digital journey."

Divya Rakesh, Co-founder, Zerogons said, "We are excited to join a market leader in the AI space. We see tremendous synergies in our joint vision for AI, and together we will help our clients in realizing their short-term and long-term digital transformation objectives".

About Fractal

Fractal is one of the most prominent players in the Artificial Intelligence space. Fractal's mission is to power every human decision in the enterprise and brings AI, engineering, and design to help the world's most admired Fortune 500® companies.

Fractal's products include Qure.ai to assist radiologists in making better diagnostic decisions, Cuddle.ai to assists CEOs, and senior executives make better tactical and strategic decisions, Theremin.ai to improve investment decisions, and Eugenie.ai to find anomalies in high-velocity data.

Fractal has more than 2,000 employees across 16 global locations, including the United States, UK, Ukraine, India, and Australia. Fractal has consistently been rated as India's best companies to work for, by The Great Place to Work® Institute, featured as a leader in the Specialized Insights Service Providers Wave™ 2020, Computer Vision Consultancies Wave™ 2020 & Customer Analytics Service Providers

Wave™ 2019 by Forrester Research, and recognized as an "Honorable Vendor" in 2020 Magic Quadrant™ for data & analytics by Gartner. For more information visit fractal.ai