Tencent Holdings Ltd. introduced a voice-operated version of its WeChat messaging app tailor-made for vehicles in partnership with Chinese carmaker Chongqing Changan Automobile Co. Ltd., South China Morning Post reported.
The interactive version of the app will allow drivers to give voice commands or use a button on the car's steering wheel to read messages, send messages and make calls on WeChat. The voice-operated WeChat will be embedded in new Changan car models coming to the market later this year, the two companies announced at the 2019 Smart China Expo.
Tencent is also forming a joint venture with Changan Automobile to develop a connected car system that will be open to other automakers.
The development comes a month after Tencent revealed plans to build an autonomous vehicle hub in China with Bayerische Motoren Werke AG.
