Microsoft and Toyota collaborate on next generation telematics

The two giants are each investing approximately $12million in a subsidiary company, Toyota Media Service. According to Microsoft, the new company aims to help develop and deploy telematics applications on the Windows Azure platform, which includes Windows Azure and Microsoft SQL Azure, starting with Toyota's electric and plug in hybrid vehicles in 2012. Toyota's goal is to establish a complete global cloud platform by 2015 that will provide affordable and advanced telematics services such as data, navigation, in car entertainment and multimedia. The system is also expected to be able to manage energy usage. Microsoft ceo, Steve Ballmer (pictured) said: "It further validates the power of the cloud, as the Windows Azure platform will provide the enterprise grade, scalable platform that Toyota needs to deliver telematics in its automobiles worldwide." Toyota's president, Akio Toyoda,added: "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. To achieve this, it is important to develop a new link between vehicles, people and smart center energy management systems." The new system will be available in the 2012 fleet of electric and plug in hybrid cars. This is expected to be added to the entire range by 2015.