Automotive Reference Solutions Leverage Cloud Services

The Connected Vehicle Platform (CVP) is a set of reference solutions built on Microsoft services that automotive OEMs can use as a basis for implementing custom applications that run in the vehicles they manufacture. The solutions span categories addressing scenarios such as telematics, navigation, productivity, and entertainment. The CVP is a prescriptive guidance offering like the Azure Internet of Things (IoT) Suite, and it demonstrates how Microsoft may use its services to drive IoT applications for organizations in other vertical markets. The approach marks a departure from Microsoft’s previous automotive market strategy, which was centered on a Windows CE—based OS offering.

Solutions Are Starting Base for App Development

The CVP, announced at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Jan. 2017, consists of five reference solutions that connect to hosted services and applications, including Azure, Office 365, and the Cortana personal digital assistant. Microsoft cites projections that indicate substantial increases in the number of Internet-connected, shared, autonomous, and electric vehicles by 2030, which represent needs and opportunities to build new automotive IT solutions.