TOKYO Toyota Motor and cloud computing company Salesforce.com will build a social network service that will enable owners to become friends with their cars and get friendly,tweet-like reminders for maintenance checks and other notices.
Information technology and telematics are expected to play a key role in adding value to future cars,as consumers look for connectivity not just from their laptops and phones but also with their cars.Toyota has already developed its own telematics service to connect it with drivers and dealers.
Under the new private social network,called Toyota Friend, owners will be able to chat with their Toyotas like they would with a friend on Twitter or Facebook.
The car would have its own profile and send a message to the drivers phone,for instance,reminding him to recharge its depleted battery.The owner would be able to carry out a simple,twoway conversation with the car.
The service would be an extension of Toyotas network to be based on Microsofts cloud computing platform that would give customers across the world access to Toyotas digital services such as GPS and multimedia.Customers will be able to extend the private Toyota Friend network to include their family and friends through social networks.The service will be offered first in Japan with Toyotas first battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid cars due next year,Toyota said.REUTERS
President of Japans Toyota Motor Akio Toyoda (left) shakes hands with CEO of Salesforce.com Marc Benioff (right) during a press conference in Tokyo
Information technology and telematics are expected to play a key role in adding value to future cars,as consumers look for connectivity not just from their laptops and phones but also with their cars.Toyota has already developed its own telematics service to connect it with drivers and dealers.
Under the new private social network,called Toyota Friend, owners will be able to chat with their Toyotas like they would with a friend on Twitter or Facebook.
The car would have its own profile and send a message to the drivers phone,for instance,reminding him to recharge its depleted battery.The owner would be able to carry out a simple,twoway conversation with the car.
The service would be an extension of Toyotas network to be based on Microsofts cloud computing platform that would give customers across the world access to Toyotas digital services such as GPS and multimedia.Customers will be able to extend the private Toyota Friend network to include their family and friends through social networks.The service will be offered first in Japan with Toyotas first battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid cars due next year,Toyota said.REUTERS
President of Japans Toyota Motor Akio Toyoda (left) shakes hands with CEO of Salesforce.com Marc Benioff (right) during a press conference in Tokyo