Toyota and Microsoft Announce Partnership

Toyota Motor Corporation said on Thursday morning that it had signed an $11.7 million partnership with Microsoft Corporation aimed at building the Japanese auto makers’ in-car technology. The deal, although small, represents an important step towards developing in-car technology according to Toyota president Akio Toyoda. The partnership will be invested in Toyota Media Services Co. a branch of Toyota Motor Corporation and will look to provide its telematics system on the Azure platform powered by Microsoft. Telematics services include navigation, hands-free phone as well as other driving assistance systems. The changes are likely to be deployed to the 2012 version of Toyota''s hybrid car Prius.