Toyota president, Akio Toyoda, and Microsoft CEO, Steve Ballmer, have just announced a partnership deal which will introduce Microsoft’s Windows Azure ‘cloud computing’ platform into Toyota plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles of the future.
In a video media conference meeting last night, the two company executives discussed plans involving a one billion yen (around $12 million) plan for Toyota’s subsidiary media brand, Toyota Media Service, which will see telematics applications using Microsoft’s Windows Azure ‘cloud computing’ program being launched in plug-in and electric Toyota’s by 2012.
The systems will work in much the same way as Ford Motor Co.’s MyFord Touch and Holden’s Enhanced Driver Interface in that it will bring together many telecommunication and infotainment systems into one platform. It will also display GPS information and power and energy information in regards to the car’s electric motors and batteries.
Steve Ballmer, Microsoft’s CEO, recently said about the deal,
“Today’s announcement of our partnership with TMC is a great example of how we continue to invest in the automotive industry and of our commitment to power the services that are important to consumers.”
Toyota is aiming to have the complete cloud interface and service up and running by 2015. The company has also expressed that it will introduce the technology in markets all over the world.
