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Google has taken a stake in a Chinese artificial intelligence startup which is aiming to develop smart wearable technologies.<\/p>\n
The amount on investment in Mobvoi was not disclosed.<\/p>\n
But the companies said that the firm, created by a former Google researcher, has now raised $75 million in equity financing.<\/p>\n
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Google will lead the latest round and hold a minority stake, according to the statement. The move comes five years after Google\u2019s highly contentious exit from its Chinese operations over censorship.<\/p>\n
\u201cMobvoi is very excited to welcome Google as an investor as both companies share a long-term view on technologies and are dedicated to deliver an uncompromising user experience through emerging technologies,\u201d said Mobvoi founder Zhifei Li.<\/p>\n
The new funding is aimed at helping develop \u201ca new generation of wearable experiences and explore consumer-oriented products for the in-vehicle environment\u201d as well as exploring robotics technologies.<\/p>\n
\u201cMobvoi has developed some very unique speech and natural language processing technologies,\u201d said Don Harrison, vice president of corporate development at Google Inc.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were impressed by their innovative approach and the early traction that they\u2019ve seen, which is why we\u2019re pleased to support them with this investment.\u201d<\/p>\n
The two firms announced an agreement earlier this year to bring the Google Android Wear operating system to China.<\/p>\n