The initial investment is a pittance compared to the
overall size of the vehicle “infotainment” market, but it’s “an
important step in developing” the burgeoning technology, according to
Azure platform, across its 2012 fleet of electric and plug-in hybrid
vehicles, and then establish a global cloud platform within three years.
Telematics services generally include navigation,
hands-free telephone and data access, safety communications and driving
assistance systems.
selling a plug-in version of its popular Prius hybrid for model year
2012 along with a RAV4 sport-utility vehicle powered by a battery from
Referring to the pilot program with
Windows Azure platform will provide the enterprise-grade, scalable
platform that TMC needs to deliver telematics in its automobiles
worldwide.”
Car makers have turned to the bells and whistles of
in-car connectivity to help differentiate themselves in the
increasingly competitive new-car market.
launched its Entune system, which connects the car to the Web using
smartphone technology. It allows drivers to do things like make
restaurant reservations or search using
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