Picture credit: AT&T

AT&T’s innovation and research centre Drive Studio already has 12 companies signed up and now LG Electronics has joined the party.

LG is hoping to work with Studio to develop new services for future connected cars, with it focusing mostly on hardware and equipment rather than the software side that many are investing in.

Drive Studio has been built to help with the research and development of the connected car industry and includes working garage bays, a speech lab, a full showroom to exhibit the latest innovations and conference facilities.

Data collection

There may be momentum in the US to disable recording devices in cars, but Jong Rak Lim, vice president, head of in-vehicle infotainment R&D Lab at LG Electronics, listed data collection as the main draw behind this AT&T partnership.

“By analysis of customer insights and Car OEM's requirements, safety, comfort and convenience are key factors in Automotive area,” he said.

AT&T presently runs internet services in a number of car manufacturer’s models both inside and outside of the US. Its global SIM platform provides a standardised approach for equipment makers to wirelessly connect with products around the world.