Polestar Automotive Holding UK is setting up a $200 million software joint venture with tech company Xingji Meizu, also owned by parent Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co., to keep up on digital features in China.
The new unit will develop Xingji Meizu’s technology platform, Flyme Auto, into an operating system to offer in-car apps, streaming services and intelligent vehicle software. The services will extend to augmented reality devices, the company said in a statement.
The Flyme Auto operating system is a result of Geely’s efforts to develop more car technology in-house. Some automakers like Volkswagen are struggling to extend their engineering knowhow to integrating software for a range of services, with customers facing blank screens and glitches. Drivers in China have taken to options such as in-car karaoke and friendly robots for entertainment that Western brands are so far unable to match.
