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Why Samsung is investing in cars

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© graphicstock

Samsung is known to have its fingers in many a pie. Its technology expertise stretches from smartphones, to smart TVs, to smart appliances, and soon, to smart cars. Yes, speculation suggests that Samsung is making a move into the automobile industry. But what's the motivation behind this decision and how is Samsung going to make it work?

Samsung has not made this official, but since August, it seems that Samsung and Fiat Chrysler have been in talks about a potential partnership. This may involve the purchase of Magneti Marelli, a subsidiary of Fiat Chrysler that specializes in parts, accessories and high-performance components.

In an interview with Bloomberg, the CEO of Fiat Chrysler, Sergio Marchionne, said the car industry is changing and that technology companies are entering the business of autonomous and electric cars. Fiat's position is that it would be better to have a partnership with such companies than trying to imitate them.

Samsung and its patents

If we look at the autonomous car market, we have Google and Apple who have been investing in this area for some time. In fact, the search giant has a great know-how in this sector, and Samsung, one of the biggest players in the tech world, also wants a slice of that market.

However, this wouldn't be Samsung's first step into the world of cars. In fact, according to an article published by Forbes, Samsung is the world leader in car-related patents.

Samsung has 510 patents on cars

According to Forbes, Samsung has 510 patents in this sector as of a year ago. After the South Korean manufacturer, we have Google, with 308, Microsoft, with 222, and then Apple with 83. In the last ten years, Samsung has filed far more of these patents than any other tech company. (Incidentally, Samsung's division for lithium-ion batteries, Samsung SDI, currently provides the batteries for green BMW models.)

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Samsung can open doors for other manufacturers in the automotive sector. / © NextPit

What's next for Samsung?

Samsung is a company that invests in multiple technologies. Since 2015, the manufacturer has employed a team of researchers, developers and specialists to work exclusively in the smart car sector.

With Samsung taking a position in this industry, next to Apple and Google, this could open the door for other manufacturers like Chinese market giants Huawei and Xiaomi to follow. And with more competing companies, the power and sophistication of smart car tech will become better, faster. 

Samsung's loyal following and its own software implementation like TouchWiz and, especially, Tizen could help the Korean manufacturer drive adoption of its car products. In the case of Tizen, we have seen Samsung show that it can combine software and hardware to great effect, as it has with its smartwatch. It could pull off something similar with the software implementation in smart cars.

With all of its patents, Samsung is well on its way to succeeding in the automobile world. The only question now is, when will it start?

What are your thoughts on Samsung and smart cars? Let us know in the comments. 

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Camila Rinaldi

Camila Rinaldi
Head of Editorial

With over 10 years of reviewing smartphones and wearables, I recently became addicted to smart home gadgets. Even though I dove into the Apple ecosystem two years back, Android remains as one of my passions. Previously editor-in-chief of AndroidPIT and Canaltech in Brazil, I now write for the US market. I love my records and I believe that the best way to get to know a place is through its food.

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5 comments
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  • 26
    Andrew Burgin Sep 19, 2016 Link to comment

    How many blown up cars will we get from using Samsung products,how can the Note 7 battery saga convince drivers to buy a car with Samsung product inside there cars,Just wish Samsung will be honest and admit that they did not fully check out the batteries they put inside the Note 7 and just rush this phone out being so worried about the Apple iPhone 7 models


  • 14
    Alex Simpson Sep 19, 2016 Link to comment

    i would never pay more noney for any of this useless "smart" stuff. i would rather invest the moneys to get a better car with more horsepower.


  • 12
    Ivan C. Sep 19, 2016 Link to comment

    Samsung built some utility vehicles and heavy equipment trucks before.


  • 46
    Deactivated Account Sep 19, 2016 Link to comment

    Smart tech is where the world is headed so they probably can't go to wrong. As long as they don't try to make a car with a non removable battery LOL.

    Ivan C.


    • 12
      Ivan C. Sep 19, 2016 Link to comment

      ... and don't use the windshield as LCD or monitor with camera on the dashboard or else, the traffic world will be f@^#ed up with drivers playing Pokemon Go while driving. hahaha

      Deactivated Account

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