Microsoft, Toyota to work on connected car

Toyota agreed to a patent licensing agreement with Microsoft recently to enhance the connected car experience for consumers.

The two are already collaborating on the Toyota Big Data Center, using Microsoft’s cloud computing platform, Azure.

“Microsoft invests $11.4 billion annually in research and development and for more than 30 years has been developing innovative technologies that are powering today’s connected car experiences,” said Erich Andersen, corporate vice president and chief IP counsel of Microsoft’s intellectual property group, in a statement. “When you look across telematics, infotainment, safety and other systems in today’s connected cars, you find Microsoft technologies and innovation.”

Noting that the company “doesn’t make cars,” he added that Microsoft does work “closely with today’s car companies to help them meet customer demands, and we’re pleased today to announce the licensing of our patented technology to our partner, Toyota.”

It’s all about innovating faster and bringing new experiences to customers, said Tokuhisa Nomura, executive general manager of Toyota’s advanced research and development and engineering company.

“This is an exciting time in the industry, and we believe that to create the best, most immersive connected car experiences, automotive makers should partner with technology leaders like Microsoft,” he said in an announcement.