KDDI and Toyota Team Partner up to Establish the Global Platform for Networking Cars

In a few years from now, we’ll be looking at a network of connected vehicles. Toyota is working together with a Japanese partner, KDDI, toward establishing a global communications platform. This means communications networks supporting car connectivity throughout the world.

By 2020, this kind of module will be a part of standard equipment in all new Toyota and Lexus vehicles.

Toyota’s ambition is to develop a strong communication platform. Apart from this, the application of consistent data communications module (DCM) to all its vehicle connectivity will be developed by the 2019. The plan is that automaker installs DCM in most Toyota and Lexus brands, nearly all new vehicles that will be sold in Japan and U.S. markets by 2020.

The initial use is to collect data and improve research. The vehicles will be able to automatically connect with local carriers, wherever the car is.

This platform will adopt globally uniform data communications modules that will instantly connect with telecom operators in other countries that do not rely on global roaming services.

For the period of over 60 years, KDDI has built a relationship with more than 600 telecommunications carriers throughout the world. The result all of this is a relationship between Toyota and KDDI. By partnering with KDDI, Toyota plans to improve its car connectivity action in order to support their customers to have safe, appropriate and above all secure infrastructure.

Shigeki Tomoyama, Senior Managing Officer of Toyota Motor Corporation, stated,
“Communications technology is essential to enhance vehicle connectivity and Toyota has been making efforts in this field for years. 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.”

Takashi Tanaka, President of KDDI Corporation, said, “It is a great honor for KDDI to be able to conclude a global-scale partnership agreement with Toyota regarding connected vehicle initiatives. We are excited to participate in this large project which aims for a future where vehicles are connected in a variety of countries all over the world, and we are committed to doing everything possible to lead the project to success. Putting together the capability of the entire KDDI Group which deploys business globally, we plan to fully support the vehicle connectivity initiative.”