IBM has become a pilot partner of BMW CarData, which was released recently to enable nearly 8.5 million customers across the world to use third-party services.

With the introduction of BMW CarData, the car manufacturer claims to have become the first OEM to release an open data platform.

BMW CarData enables BMW ConnectedDrive customers to share telematics data from their BMW vehicles with third-parties of their preference. 

IBM has integrated its Cloud-based platform Bluemix with the BMW CarData platform.

Vehicle data will be bolstered by IBM Watson IoT, with the use of cognitive and data analytics services that enables third-parties, such as automotive repair shops or insurance companies, to develop new customer experiences. 

"The concept of a neutral server fosters innovation by establishing a single point of contact for multiple parties to access vehicle data from various manufacturers."

Bluemix also allows developers to have access to the entire service catalogue from IBM and its system partners to build and run innovative services. 

Customers need to share their encrypted telematics data when they intend to use a particular service from a service provider. 

IBM Global Automotive, Aerospace and Defense general manager Dirk Wollschlaeger said: "The concept of a neutral server fosters innovation by establishing a single point of contact for multiple parties to access vehicle data from various manufacturers, thereby reducing integration cost whilst ensuring fair competition."

The first use cases and client services are expected to launch in the fall of 2017.