General Motors and Cruise
reported
entry into a strategic collaboration with
Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT)
to push the commercialization of self driving vehicles. The companies will utilize their hardware and software engineering, manufacturing, and cloud computing capabilities to transform transportation to create a cleaner, safer and more accessible world for all. “Our mission to bring safer, better, and more affordable transportation to everyone isn’t just a tech race – it’s also a trust race,” said Cruise CEO Dan Ammann. “Microsoft, as the gold standard in the trustworthy democratization of technology, will be a force multiplier for us as we commercialize our fleet of self-driving, all-electric, shared vehicles.”
Cruise plans to leverage Microsoft’s cloud computing platform, Azure to commercialize its autonomous vehicle solutions at scale. Microsoft will utilize Cruise’s deep industry expertise to improve its product innovation and serve transportation companies around the world through continued investment in Azure. Microsoft will enter as one of the institutional investors in a combined equity investment of over USD 2 Billion in Cruise, increasing its post-money valuation of the company to USD 30 Billion. “Advances in digital technology are redefining every aspect of our work and life, including how we move people and goods,” said Satya Nadella, CEO, Microsoft. “As Cruise and GM’s preferred cloud, we will apply the power of Azure to help them scale and make autonomous transportation mainstream.”
“Microsoft is a great addition to the team as we drive toward a future world of zero crashes, zero emissions and zero congestion,” said GM Chairman and CEO Mary Barra. “Microsoft will help us accelerate the commercialization of Cruise’s all-electric, self-driving vehicles and help GM realize even more benefits from cloud computing as we launch 30 new electric vehicles globally by 2025 and create new businesses and services to drive growth.”
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General Motors and Cruise Collaborate with Microsoft to Commercialize Self Driving Vehicles
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General Motors and Cruise Collaborate with Microsoft to Commercialize Self Driving Vehicles