Currently reading: Toyota schedules first connected car trial for 2018

Toyota’s first real-world trial of connected cars is announced in the wake of a large deal with tech company NTT

Toyota’s autonomous and connected vehicle efforts have been given a boost, as it collaborates with Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation on future connected car technology in preparation for the advent of mobility services.

The deal culminates in a field trial in 2018 to test the technologies for future connected cars, including data collection platforms, networks on the Internet of Things, car-to-car and other communication methods, and artificial intelligence systems.

The real-world test will trial the technologies, although Toyota is yet to reveal where and exactly when they will take place. NTT’s headquarters are based in Tokyo, which leaves scope for the field testing to be held on Japanese roads.

The deal follows other carmakers’ partnerships with major tech companies, such as BMW’s relationship with Mobileye and Intel, Volvo’s partnership with Uber and Fiat Chrysler’s partnership with Google.

Toyota has outlined its role in the partnership; construction of an ICT platform, with the subdivisions of NTT, such as NTT Data and NTT Communications will provide expertise in their respective areas. NTT’s AI technology will also provide a base for the system developed as part of the deal.

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