Alibaba launched last week its first automobile, the RX5 sport utility vehicle. This SUV will be available in the market in August.
Together with the Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC), the largest car manufacturing company in China, Alibaba made this "internet car". According to the company's news release, the SUV will be using YunOS for Car to connect to other smart devices. The retail price of the car is $22,300 or 148,800 yuan.
The internet car is part of what Alibaba called the "internet of things (IoT)," where everything is connected. The IoT refers to the various gadgets' interconnectivity. Smartphones can now communicate with cars, and cars to homes.
With the car running the YunOS, passengers with Alibaba accounts will be connected to stores and restaurants. This e-commerce platform will help passengers find and pay for parking slots and make seating reservations while on the road.
Car owners can also have access to their homes and household appliances such as air conditioners and microwave ovens.
The RX5's design has a sporty appeal. Buyers can choose from units with a 170 horsepower 1.5 turbo or a 220 hosepower 2.0 turbo. A hybrid version will be available in August.
The car will be able to make recommendations as to where to go, based on the car owner's preference settings. Since internet cars will be all connected, developers believe that this latest innovation is a step closer to creating self-driving vehicles.
Big software companies such as Google and Apple are into making innovations in the automotive industry. Google experimented with a self-driving car. Apple created car "infotainment, or a fusion of car features with information technology.
This is the first time that Alibaba ventured into car technology.