Microsoft announced that it is entering a long-term strategic relationship with Cruise to accelerate the development and commercialization of self-driving automobiles. The new investment comes with a check for $2 billion.
“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.”
When combined with the investments from General Motors, Honda, and other institutional investors, Cruise has a current valuation of $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.”
Azure is Microsoft’s cloud platform, which Cruise will utilize for data collection, processing, and other functions. This deal also cements Microsoft as GM’s preferred cloud platform for digitization initiatives for everything from storage to artificial intelligence.
While the big deal here is the investment in Cruise, it is a big deal that GM will be uses Microsoft’s cloud products companywide for future projects, including the rollout of the 30 new EVs globally by 2025.
Now if Microsoft wants to send some investment cash our way, hit the feedback link below.
