Microsoft, the world's best known software developer, has partnered with car manufacturers such as Citroen, Fiat (more here) and Ford (more here) in the past.

Now, the company has collaborated with Hyundai and South Korea's Institute for Information Technology Advancement (IITA) to found the Automotive IT Innovation Centre (AIIC).

Located within the Hyundai research facilities at Uiwang City, to the south of Seoul, the AIIC will support projects by small and mid-sized IT development companies based in South Korea -- with particular application to the automotive industry in the areas of telecommunication, telematics, navigation systems and HMI (Human Machine Interface).

Anticipating three-years' support for up to 20 companies at a time, the AIIC will provide as much as 200 million Won (AUD$230,000) for each promising project and will coordinate each project with South Korea's Ministry of Knowledge Economy for policy support.

"Microsoft and Hyundai Motor Company share a similar vision for the role that information technology will play in connecting people to information, communications, and entertainment while they are in their cars," said Steve Ballmer, CEO of Microsoft.

"We're excited by the opportunities this new Automotive I.T. Innovation Centre will create for Microsoft, Hyundai Motor Company, and Institute for Information Technology to continue to work together to develop new innovations that will make the time that people spend in their cars more productive and enjoyable than ever before."

Hyundai and Microsoft have already an infotainment system that can be voice-controlled. This system will make its debut in the North American market in 2010, ahead of the technology being introduced elsewhere.

Here at the Carsales Network, we're looking forward to a new satnav program named 'Interstate Explorer' ... And Hyundai might launch another Excel...

To comment on this article click here