NetEase's AI Unit, Electric Car Maker WM Motor Ally on Connected Car
NetEase Auto, 12/01/17
Chinese internet company NetEase's (Nasdaq: NTES) artificial intelligence business unit (NetEase AIBU) and Beijing-based electric car maker and new energy travel solutions provider WM Motor Technology have signed an exclusive strategic partnership agreement to create an "Internet+" modern smart car. The partnership, underpinned by WM Motor's mass-produced products, will see the two sides collaborate in areas such as AI, the Internet, big data, and infotainment to develop AI/AR technology, Internet big data, and UI/UE design R&D.
The NetEase AIBU, based in Hangzhou, specializes in research and development in areas of technology such as deep learning, voice frequency, computer vision, pattern recognition, human-machine interaction, and heterogeneous computing. Through its research, the unit explores the next generation of end-user interactivity and provides enterprise clients and consumers with products and services such as open AI and AR platforms. Reportedly, the NetEase AIBU can trace its beginnings to 2012, and after undergoing a brand upgrade in 2016, currently has a staff of over 100.
Editor's Note: WM Motor, earlier this month, was rumored to be lining up approximately RMB 1 bln in new funding to be led by internet conglomerate Baidu (Nasdaq: BIDU) (see Rumor: Baidu to Invest in Electric Car Maker WM Motor, MD 11/09/27 issue). WM Motor also confirmed in July that it had invested in dockless bike sharing service Hellobike, which, subsequently, was acquired by rival bike share operator Youon (see Update: WM Motor Confirms Investment in Bike-sharing App Hellobike, MD 7/04/17 issue, and Bike Sharing Services Youon, Hellobike Merge, MD 10/25/17 issue).
Keywords: NetEase hardware Internet R&D NTES big data artificial intelligence WM Motor computer vision automobile smart vehicle electric vehicle
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