Toyota City, Japan, November 10, 2011—Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) signed a memorandum of understanding today with Intel Corporation to begin joint research on next-generation in-vehicle multimedia systems* that would replace current navigation systems.
The joint research with Intel, experienced in information communication technologies, will target appropriate methods of providing information to drivers through in-vehicle systems, as well as information technologies that would enable seamless communication between on-board information systems and nearby information systems.
The amount of information exchanged between cars and drivers is expected to increase due to expanding demand for traffic information, destination searches, radar cruise control and other driving support functions. In response, Toyota and Intel will conduct research on vehicle-driver interfaces that do not interfere with driving.
With Wi-Fi and other various data transmission methods constantly improving, Toyota and Intel will research communication technologies to improve connectivity between cars and widely used information equipment, such as smartphones.
Furthermore, the two companies will research connectivity technologies and effective ways to seamlessly integrate cars with other aspects of people’s lives, including homes.
*In-vehicle systems that provide the user with a multitude of information. Beginning with in-vehicle radio and evolving to current-generation navigation systems, integration with smartphones, home appliances and other energy management systems is expected to be the next stage of evolution for the technology
Read More: http://pressroom.toyota.com/releases/intel+tmc+joint+research+next+generation+in-vehicle+multimedia+system
Brought to you Chicago Toyota - Orland Toyota
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Friday, November 4, 2011
Toyota Confirms Sub-$1000 Electric Vehicle Charger, Installation Included
[NOTE: After this article was published, Toyota's Jana Hartline contacted GreenCarReports to note that the price of the charger and installation will "start at $999," and attached a press release from Leviton that also cited "installation packages starting at $999."
The Consumer Reports article cited gave the price, including installation, as $999. It should have read "$999 or more".]
The cost of having an electric vehicle charger installed in your home just got a lot cheaper this week thanks to Toyota, which confirmed that its official 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid charging station will start at cost just $999, including installation.
While there are several home charging solutions now available for under $1000, installation is normally extra, prompting many electric vehicle owners to forgo level 2 charging stations at home altogether, or skip official routes and use alternative solutions to charge their car.
The pricing of the charging station isn’t exactly new news: when Toyota officially announced its pricing for the 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid, it said the official charger for the $32,760 plug-in hybrid would be offered at time of purchase “from $999”.
But according to Consumer Reports, Toyota has confirmed the $999 charging station deal includes installation. Better still, Toyota said that regardless of what is actually required to install the charging station in customer’s homes, everyone will pay the same.
The one-size-fits all pricing plan from Toyota is a breath of fresh air in an industry where electric car owners are regularly being charged anything up to $1,818 for an ‘easy’ installation of an official charging station -- with more complex installations costing thousands more.
In other words, for people who have older properties which require major wiring upgrades, or people who have their home’s main breaker box a ways from the place they want the charging station to be, the Toyota deal could save them a lot of money.
Since Toyota is subsidizing the installation costs of its official charging station, you won’t be able to take advantage of the deal unless you’ve ordered a 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid, but we think Toyota’s headline-grabbing price can only help to bring the price of rival charging stations down. In short, prices will fall, so if you're buying an electric car, make sure that you remember to shop around to get the best deal on your car's charging station.
Read More: http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1068153_toyota-confirms-sub-1000-electric-vehicle-charger-installation-included
Illinois Toyota Dealers
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)