Hyundai Opens Data Center in China

Hyundai Motor Co. has opened a “big-data” center in Guiyang, China, to coordinate and analyze information collected from the company's connected cars operating in the country.

In addition to tracking customer driving patterns, the new data center will diagnose potential problems and provide over-the-air software updates to vehicle. Hyundai says data scientists at the center also will work to develop connected-car services tailored to Chinese drivers.

 The carmaker also signed a memorandum of understanding with China Unicom, the country's second-largest telecommunications provider, to co-develop a predictive analytics platform for various activities.

Located in the southwestern province of Guizhou, Hyundai’s 12,900-sq-ft facility shares a building with China's largest internet search provider, Baidu. Several other tech firms—including Apple, Alibaba and IBM—also have offices in Guiyang, which Hyundai says will help its center to develop, analyze and process multiple data streams.

in June, Hyundai formed a partnership with Baidu to equip Chinese-market vehicles with Baidu's connected navigation MapAuto and Duer OS Auto voice recognition technologies. The deal builds on the “hyper-connected and intelligent car” concept Hyundai announced in 2016. The carmaker also formed a partnership with Cisco Systems Inc. last year to create connected car systems.