Toyota, Microsoft Team Up

Toyota is partnering with Microsoft to consolidate its research in telematics, data analytics and network security services as the auto industry expands connected-car technologies.The Toyota Connected venture will be headed by Zack
Hicks, CIO and group vice president at Toyota Motor North America, and will be
based in Plano, Texas. The initial investment will be US$5.5 million, the
carmaker said.

Toyota plans to use data science through Microsoft’s Azure cloud technology to
develop services that “help to humanise the driving experience,”
according to a statement. “Toyota Connected will help free our customers
from the tyranny of technology,” Hicks said.