Volkswagen Invests $180 Million in a Chinese AI Startup

Mobvoi Inc., the Chinese artificial intelligence startup backed by Google, is getting a $180 million investment from Volkswagen AG to join a race to build the technology into cars. The startup, founded in 2012 by a group of former Googlers, will develop products for Volkswagen models and possibly other brands based on its voice-recognition and natural language processing technology. That includes a smart rear view mirror that provides navigation, messaging and information through voice input, the company said in a statement. Chinese tech giants are pushing into technologies that have the potential to transform the auto industry. Last month, Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. led an investment in WayRay, which makes holographic displays for cars.