Tata Motors to tie up with Microsoft to drive into the future

The two firms will work to make future proof cars; move will help Tata's Make in India initiative

Slump or not, Tata Motors is looking at the future: In a bid to make cars for the future, the company is poised to get into a tie-up with global technology major Microsoft.

The largest automobile maker in the country has reported a 96 per cent drop in its consolidated profit for the October to December quarter for financial year 2016-17, mainly because of a steep decline in gains from overseas unit Jaguar Land Rover.

According to sources, Tata Motors and Microsoft would be working together to make solutions such as inter-connectivity in cars and autonomous vehicle technology. Tata has been, for long, looking for a technology partner. Microsoft would help it build this technology in-house in India. “This move will help it [Tata Motors] make cars for the future in India, which, in some ways, promote the Make in India campaign as well. The two would be working on products mainly of automobile connectivity. That is where the world is headed,” said a source close to the company.

An official announcement could be made Thursday. Even now, technology is making cars smarter. In the future, cars would be able to park themselves or drive safely in low-visibility conditions.