Toyota has partnered with KDDI Corp to establish a global communications platform to get traditional networks and vehicles working seamlessly.
The Japanese giant said that the partnership aims to bring better connectivity for smartphones, cloud services and its vehicles’ infotainment systems by creating a uniform DCM (data communications module).
The DCMs will be standard equipment in nearly all new Toyota and Lexus cars sold in Japan and the United States by 2020.
Other markets will have them gradually installed over time, said a statement.
The DCMs will automatically connect with telecommunications carriers in different countries – meaning Toyota and KDDI will select carriers in each country to work with.
SIM setting will be automatically overwritten depending on which country the car is located in.
The DCMs will not rely on global roaming services, Toyota said, to create and maintain stable, high quality connections at a lower cost.
“Communications technology is essential to enhance vehicle connectivity and Toyota has been making efforts in this field for years,” said Toyota executive Shigeki Tomoyama.
“The joint establishment of this global communications platform with KDDI will help us offer a more stable and higher quality connectivity service to customers all over the world.”
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