Tencent aims to build WeChat messaging app for cars
20 October, 2018
Chinese Internet giant Tencent is working on building WeChat, its popular instant messaging app, into cars, according to Pony Ma, the chairman and CEO of Tencent, The Paper reported.
Ma revealed that although many automakers have concerns about having WeChat in cars, they must put safety first in the design stage, thus delaying the release plan.
The company will consider using a voice interaction mode to send and receive WeChat messages or calls. For example, drivers can do it by pressing the buttons on the steering wheel.
Meanwhile, WeChat friends can also share the location of their cars, while voice interaction will include a navigation function.
Ma believes that the direction in the second half of the mobile Internet era is the industrial Internet, and the auto industry is one of the most important areas for Tencent to explore the latter.