Chinese car maker Human Horizons is partnering with Microsoft to develop an onboard AI assistant for the car maker’s new range of all electric vehicles. Human Horizon’s HiPhi EV subsidiary is also in discussion with Microsoft to establish a joint smart computing lab.

The new AI assistant, the HiPhiGo, aims to combine different AI-driven applications in a user-friendly manner. To achieve it, Human Horizons turned to Microsoft.

In the future, the solutions developed through this partnership will be rolled out to other HiPhi products. The company aims that the AI assistant will become the foundation for all customer-centric services of the brand. HiPhi 1, the first product of the HiPhi brand, will reach small volume production by the end of 2020 and official deliveries in 2021.

Using the onboard AI assistant will allow HiPhi to optimise connections between its vehicles, cloud-based platform, and user-centric services within its “vehicle-road-city” ecosystem.

The HiPhiGo AI assistant will also allow HiPhi to leverage mobility services across its entire portfolio, providing new services and solutions such as in-car consumer experiences, telematics, and the ability to securely connect data between the car and its occupants.

“Human Horizons has experience in design, engineering, intelligent systems and more, and has been at the forefront of innovation, with a comprehensive blueprint and successful practice in the integrated development of the vehicle, road and city ecosystem,” said Dr Yongdong Wang, global senior Vice President of Microsoft (Asia) Internet Engineering.

“The strategic partnership with Microsoft will accelerate the development of our onboard digital AI assistant, HiPhiGo,” said Ding Lei, CEO and founder of Human Horizons and HiPhi. “HiPhi, as a future-oriented innovative mobility company, and Microsoft, with its unique technological expertise, are outstandingly well-matched. Together, we will play a key role in shaping the future of automotive-mobility.”

Dr Yongdong Wang said, “As Human Horizons and Microsoft join forces, we look forward to supporting the company with cutting edge AI technologies for the development of the vehicle, road and city ecosystem, and to reimagine the driving experience for people everywhere, together.”