DRIMAES to produce cloud-based car control platform with Qualcomm

Daegu-based startup DRIMAES is poised to develop and mass produce a cloud-based vehicle control platform using San Diego-based semiconductor giant Qualcomm Technologies Inc.’s Snapdragon Car-to-Cloud Services.

The company recently unveiled a new fleet management solution, which allows carmakers and fleet management companies to transform their business models with new cloud-connected digital services while managing their vehicles more efficiently. 

The product is the world’s first vehicle control solution using the Snapdragon Car-to-Cloud Services.

THREE YEARS IN THE MAKING 

“The collaboration with Qualcomm was a turning point for us to becoming a mobility ecosystem builder,” Lee Sei-yon, Chief Creative Officer (CCO) of DRIMAES said during an interview with The Korea Economic Daily’s startup section, Geeks.

Lee added: “With Snapdragon's car-to-cloud service, we can offer an integrated solution to car makers and fleet management companies that can manage cars more efficiently by supporting driving and driver analysis information, vehicle location, and remote control. With data-based insights, vehicle managers can better understand how vehicles are used, and this will allow them to run a targeted campaign to promote feature upgrades and introduce new services to consumers.”

When asked how the company came to collaborate with the US chipmaker, Lee answered the previous three years of developing in-vehicle infotainment based on Qualcomm’s semiconductors has served as a testament to the startup’s technical prowess.

Founded in 2015, DRIMAES was the first startup to become the silver member of the Automotive Grade Linux (AGL), an open-source project hosted by The Linux Foundation that is building an open operating system and framework for automotive applications in 2017. Other members of the AGL include Mercedes-Benz AG, Nissan Motor Co. and Qualcomm. 

The main product of DRIMAES is Da IC, in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) solution, which combines up to six screens. 

TARGET MARKETING IN-HOUSE

"With data-based insights, vehicle managers can better understand how cars are used, and this will allow them to run a targeted campaign to promote feature upgrades and introduce new services to consumers,” Lee said.

The Snapdragon Car-to-Cloud service, a key component of Snapdragon Digital Chassis, supports cloud-based management with over-the-air (OTA) updates and pre-integration services, updating to the latest version throughout the vehicle's lifecycle. 

This solution is expected to play a pivotal role in providing connected driving experiences by supporting upgradeable hardware and software for cars transforming from conventional chassis to digital chassis. 

Fleet management solutions using Snapdragon Car-to-Cloud services offer analysis and insights to fleet management companies for launching new services. The companies can implement campaigns based on target data to establish new business models in the digitized transportation industry.

A new solution combined with the integrated cockpit solution by DRIMAES using the next-generation Snapdragon Cockpit Platform is expected to be released in the fall of 2023. It can be installed when cars are manufactured and combined after the sale, so it is expected to support fleet management companies who want to transform into cloud-connected in-vehicle services.

OVERSEAS MARKET

DRIMAES is trying to enter the global market with the latest collaboration with Qualcomm. 

The company has been conducting a Series B funding round since last month. 

The company’s CCO said, “With the upcoming fresh injection of funds, we will expand investment into new vehicle control platforms and enter the United States and Vietnam.” 

In June, DRIMAES attracted 12.5 billion won worth of funds in a Series A round. Partners Investment, Medici Investment, STIC Ventures, and Korea Development Bank participated as financial investors while automotive parts maker Mando Corporation took part as a strategic investor. 

Write to Heo Lan at why@hankyung.com
Jee Abbey Lee edited this article.