Barely a month after it signed a collaboration agreement with Soracom Inc, a global provider of advanced Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity, Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC) has invested in the company through its corporate venture capital fund, Suzuki Global Ventures.

On February 20, 2024, SMC, which manufactures products in multiple mobility categories including automobiles, motorcycles and outboard motors, signed an agreement with Soracom Inc to pursue applications of advanced IoT technologies in the field of mobility services.

Together, Soracom and Suzuki will explore opportunities to collaborate in applying leading-edge IoT technologies to develop new offerings centered around mobility services. Potential focus areas include electric vehicles (EVs) designed for the global market, modular ‘mobility base units’, and new technologies and services designed to support carbon neutrality.

The move comes amidst fast-changing trends in the global automotive industry, which are accelerated by broad progress in electrification and automation and by widespread consumer adoption of connected car or telematics-based capabilities. Automotive manufacturers now have the opportunity to apply recent advances in hardware, software, and connectivity to create new services and deliver new levels of comfort, convenience, and safety.