Microsoft, Toyota Partner on Efficiency-Oriented Auto Software

2011-04-06

Microsoft Corp. and Toyota Motor Corp. are forming a partnership to develop an in-car electronics system that may help battery-powered vehicles planned by the world's largest automaker run more efficiently. They'll jointly invest $11.7 million in Toyota Media Service Co., a Toyota subsidiary that provides data services to drivers, the companies said in a statement today. Along with plans for telematics services including data, navigation and in-car entertainment, and multimedia using Microsoft's Windows Azure platform, the system may manage energy use in vehicles, the companies said. Microsoft Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer and Toyota President Akio Toyoda are to discuss the project with reporters later today. While automakers such as General Motors Co. and Ford Motor Co., which also offer an in-car electronics system developed with Microsoft, have expanded the range of services available in cars, Toyota said it expects demand for a system that can improve a vehicle's energy efficiency. An electric car's range can vary significantly based on how drivers use heating and cooling systems, and other in-car functions powered by electricity. The Toyota City, Japan-based company said it's already testing a telematics system in its home nation that links drivers, cars and homes to help manage overall energy consumption. Toyota in 2012 is to begin selling a plug-in version of its Prius hybrid, a tiny two-passenger electric car and a rechargeable RAV4 sport-utility vehicle with a battery system from Tesla Motors Inc. The partnership between Microsoft and Toyota "is an important step in developing greater future mobility and energy management for consumers around the world," Toyota's Toyoda said in the statement. Microsoft is based in Redmond, Washington. The Detroit News.