Microsoft and Toyota announced a partnership where the automaker will use the Windows Azure Platform to build telematics services.
Under the terms of the deal:
- The two companies will invest $12 million in Toyota Media Service Co., a Toyota subsidiary focused on information services.
- Applications will initially focus on Toyota’s hybrid and electric vehicles in 2012.
- Toyota aims to finish a global cloud platform to deliver services by 2015.
- In addition, Toyota is looking into connecting its vehicles, telematics and smart grid services together for better energy efficiency.
For Microsoft, the Toyota deal is a two-fer: A high-profile auto partnership to go with Ford relationship as well as a cloud computing win. Toyota gets to leverage its green vehicles and tie them into the smart grid.
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