Microsoft, Toyota team up to develop telematic services on Azure platform
In-car telematics and infotainment systems are becoming more and more popular by the day, especially when it comes to plug-in hybrid and electric-vehicles. Why? Well, because owning an electric-vehicle or plug-in hybrid can be a hassle and syncing all your technology/gadgets together just makes the whole electrifying process easier.
Microsoft and Toyota announced today that they are teaming up to develop a next-generation telematics software using the Windows Azure platform. The system will debut on Toyota electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles next year.
As a part of the partnership, the two companies will invest 1 billion yen (or about $12 million USD) into Toyota Media Service Co., a Toyota Motor Co. subsidiary that offers digital information services to Toyota automotive customers. Toyota’s goal is to establish a complete global cloud platform by 2015 that will provide affordable and advanced telematics services to Toyota automotive customers around the world.
“As part of its smart-grid activities, aimed at achieving a low-carbon society through efficient energy use, TMC is conducting trials in Japan of its Toyota Smart Center pilot program, which plans to link people, automobiles and homes for integrated control of energy consumption,” Toyota said. “TMC believes that, as electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles become more popular, such systems will rely more on telematics services for achieving efficient energy management.”
– By: Omar Rana
