Microsoft to Create New Telematics System for Toyota

Previewed on Wednesday by a short announcement made by Toyota, the birth of a new partnership between it and the biggest software companies in the world became a reality later in the day. The goal of the collaboration of the two is to create a new breed of telematics systems that would encompass GPS systems, energy management and other multimedia technologies.

“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,” said Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. “It further validates the power of the cloud, as the Windows Azure platform will provide the enterprise-grade, scalable platform that TMC needs to deliver telematics in its automobiles worldwide.”

To make the future product a reality, Microsoft and Toyota agreed to invest $12 million in Toyota Media Service, a subsidiary of the automaker in charge with digital information services.

The details on the joint project are currently unknown, but Microsoft did say that the product would be based on the Windows Azure platform. The main focus of the new system will be, according to sources, the creation of a software for electric and plug-in vehicles' charging processes.

“This new partnership between Microsoft and Toyota is an important step in developing greater future mobility and energy management for consumers around the world. Creating these more efficient, more environmentally advanced products will be our contribution to society,” added Akio Toyoda, president of TMC. “To achieve this, it is important to develop a new link between vehicles, people and smart center energy-management systems.”