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Ford Buys Connectivity Software Startup
Ford Motor Co. says it will acquire Livio, a Detroit-area developer of software that helps drivers safely link smartphones to their vehicles.
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Ford Motor Co. says it will acquire Livio, a Detroit-area developer of software that helps drivers safely link smartphones to their vehicles.
Paul Mascarenas, Ford's chief technology officer and head of R&D, describes Livio as the company's first technology acquisition in 13 years. He says Livio will retain its current customer base, which includes General Motors Co.
The five-year-old startup has been marketing Livio Radio, an Internet-based in-car device, and Livio Connect, software that can connect apps with various hardware platforms.
The company will become part of Ford Global Technologies and function as a department of the carmaker's Electrical/Electronic Systems Engineering operation.
Mascarenas says Ford and Livio aim to help establish an industry standard for in-car connectivity that would accelerate the ability to write and introduce smartphone apps designed for use in moving vehicles.
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