Amazon, Microsoft, look for cars important role in self-driving data

Amazon.com and Microsoft are in talks to supply cloud computing for businesses HERE digital mapping, owned by a group of German automakers in developing self-driving cars, people familiar with the matter.

Amazon is also considering becoming a shareholder of here, two sources said. Last year, manufacturers BMW, Audi and Mercedes cars reached an agreement euros 2.5 million ($ 2.85 million dollars) to buy Nokia maps business is here.

intelligent systems maps provide information to control car-driving, which are equipped with sensors to measure street-scanning traffic conditions and road vehicles. These location data can in turn be shared with other users of maps.

"Amazon would take a stake as part of a broader agreement to fix them in a service provider cloud computing," said a source close to the negotiations.

"Microsoft is also interested in more ties here," said another source close to the negotiations. Microsoft declined to comment. Amazon did not respond to requests for comment.

Audi, the premium owned by Volkswagen, Daimler brand - the parent company of Mercedes-Benz - and BMW declined to comment on talks with potential new partners.

The consortium cloud providers need to manage mountains of data collected from sensors in thousands of Mercedes, BMW and Audi. These digital maps allow vehicles to avoid traffic jams or hazards such as ice.

"The new owners of Audi, Daimler and BMW have said from the beginning that are open for new members to join," BMW said in a statement. "We have noticed that there is a lot of interest not only of potential partners within the automotive industry, but also in other sectors."

The consortium has begun negotiations with possible new partners, including both automobile manufacturers and potential suppliers of technology rivals.

Having more automakers on board the cost needed to develop the business of digital cartography investments will spread, and could improve the volume of data traffic information is fed into the cartographic database of vehicles on the road .

Renault and automotive supplier Continental have both expressed interest. Continental said a decision on whether to buy a stake in this case would be made within the next few months on Thursday.

Ford also is among the companies interested in acquiring a stake in the consortium HERE, said Thursday a third source of the automotive industry.

Asked if Ford was in talks with the group about taking a stake in this case, a company spokesman said: "We have been and will continue to work with many companies and discuss a variety of topics." He declined further comment.

online services and self-driving cars could become a market of $ 50 billion, analysts at Exane BNP Paribas estimated.