AT&T Joins Auto Industry with ‘Drive,’ ‘Drive Studio’

Jan. 7, 2014—Bloomberg Businessweek reported on Monday that AT&T is creating Drive, a platform that, among other things, will allow carmakers to run diagnostics on vehicles wirelessly.

Many believe the use of telematics in vehicles could be a game-changer for the repair industry, and that’s what AT&T is banking on with this new product.

Drive can also sell apps and bill consumers remotely.

AT&T has worked with Nissan Motor, Ford, and Bayerische Motoren Werke in the past to offer in-car wireless services. Last year, it started a similar partnership with General Motors.

Aside from offering the new platform, the communications company will also open a 5,000-square-foot working garage in Atlanta, Ga. The “working garage” will act as a showroom for the ‘Drive’ services, and a research facility focused on connected-car technology.