Swedish premium car maker Volvo has announced that it has partnered with Microsoft to bring its Skype for Business collaborative productivity app to its new 90 series cars (via Digital Trends). While Microsoft previously teamed with Mercedes Benz and Renault-Nissan to work on next-generation connected car technologies and driving experiences, this new partnership will be the first time that Skype for Business will be directly integrated into vehicles.
Anders Tylman-Mikiewicz, Vice President Consumer Connectivity Services at Volvo Car Group explained today in a press release that the partnership is meant to help professionals remain productive wherever they are:
Skype for Business represents another big step forward for our in-car connectivity and communication offer. With the dawn of autonomous cars we see a future where flexible in-car productivity tools will enable people to reduce time spent in the office. This is just the beginning of a completely new way of looking at how we spend time in the car.
Volvo is also working with Microsoft to build seamless voice recognition to its cars through the use of Cortana. “In-car communication is something that we have worked with for years at Volvo. From the built-in handsets of the 1980s and early 90s through to our standard Bluetooth hands-free functionality, we have understood the importance of making life easier for people on the move while keeping a firm focus on safety and minimising driver distraction,” added Tylman-Mikiewicz. The first Volvo cars to feature this new Skype for Business integration will be the XC90, V90, and S90.
