Microsoft, Hyundai Join for In-Car Entertainment

05.09.2008

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Microsoft is positioning itself to be part of the in-car information and data systems business on a broad scale.

The software giant inked a deal with South Korean automaker Hyundai to joins efforts to build a music and information system to debut in North American cars in 2010.

The companies did not reveal specific financial terms; however the South Korean president said Microsoft and Hyundai would invest $113 million and $166 million respectively.

Microsoft and Hyundai said their first product would be a voice-controlled system linking mobile devices to car stereo systems . This would compete with the Ford Sync system, which Ford developed with Microsoft. With Sync, drivers can use voice commands to control a system linking the car’s audio system with cell phone, MP3 players and Apple iPods.

Microsoft and Hyundai said subsequent versions of their in-car entertainment product would include multimedia and navigation-related features.