Toyota, Microsoft hooking up on vehicle software

01:18 PM

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By Chris Woodyard, USA TODAY

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Microsoft and Toyota are announcing a partnership today to build a "global platform" for the next telematics systems in Toyota vehicles.

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By David Zalubowski, AP

Microsoft already has a close relationship with Ford and its now second-generation Sync in-car communications system. It also has systems in Hyundai and Kia vehicles.The software giant says the Toyota system will be built off its Windows Azure platform. It sounds like the system will involve just about everything in a car that can be controlled by a computer: "the fusing of telecommunications and information technologies in vehicles; it can encompass GPS systems, energy management and other multimedia technologies."
Toyota recently announced its own in-car communications system and it's yet to be seen how this fits in.
"This new partnership between Microsoft and Toyota is an important step in developing greater future mobility and energy management for consumers around the world," said Akio Toyoda, president of Toyota. "To achieve this, it is important to develop a new link between vehicles, people and smart center energy-management systems."
Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer is scheduled to join Toyoda later today to talk about the collaboration.
See photos of: Toyota Motor Corporation