Microsoft and Nissan-Renault announced they have forged a new partnership to explore the use of the former's Azure Cloud platform to aid in the development of smart and connected cars of future.

According to Top Speed, the primary aim of the alliance is the development of advanced features like collision-avoidance systems, vehicle protection system along with autonomous driving tech as well. The cars will also be able to receive over-the-air updates and have remote monitors, which can be the clearest sign of the cars of future becoming more software intensive than ever before.

In fact, the distinct line that separated the tech and automobile industry seems to be losing its relevance so that companies like Apple, Google and now Microsoft can be heard almost as much from the automobile perspective as they are in the tech scene.

Credit for such sweeping changes can be attributed to Tesla that first introduced the concept of OTA or autonomous driving in a mass produced vehicle. Never before has a car been as technology intensive as the Model S that set the precedent for others to follow.

Coming back to the Microsoft-Nissan partnership, the join press release further revealed the new tech initiative will allow owners to keep a tab on their car remotely, besides "creating, securing and transferring driver profiles and settings from one car to another," Tech Crunch report on this mentioned. 

"A car is becoming increasingly connected, intelligent and personal," said Ogi Redzic, the Senior VP of Renault-Nissan. "Partnering with Microsoft allows us to accelerate the development of the associated key technologies needed to enable scenarios our customers want and build all-new ones they haven't even imagined. We aim to become the provider of connected mobility for everyone with one single global platform."

The latest move on part of Microsoft comes on top of its earlier initiative that aims to introduce its Office productivity software suit to within the car. The idea here is that passengers can be more engaged with their work which again can be seen as an extension of Microsoft systems while travelling as the car drives on its own in the not so distant future.

As Forbes put it, both Microsoft and Renault-Nissan aim to have at least 10 self-driving cars on the streets by 2020.

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