Toyota and NTT Agree Collaboration on ICT Platform Development for Connected Cars

Businesses will work together on technologies for smart mobility

Toyota Motor Corporation and the Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT) have agreed to work together on connected car technology, combining their knowledge and expertise in automotive and information and communication technology (ICT) research and development

Their aim is to address a range of issues, including traffic accidents, congestion and the delivery of new mobility services, to help realise a future worldwide Smart Mobility Society. A field trial is planned for 2018 to assess the feasibility and usability of representative services for connected cars.

Areas of collaboration

• Platform for data collection, accumulation and analysis: Toyota and NTT will create technologies for building and administering a platform for the collection and accumulation of huge amounts of information and data from large numbers of vehicles. This platform will also enable the distribution of data and the real time processing and analysis of Big Data.
• IoT (Internet of Things) networks and data centres: the collaboration will include the study of global network infrastructure topology and optimal data centre deployment to secure safe and reliable collection and distribution of large amounts of data, based on assumed vehicle use levels.
• Next generation communications technologies – 5G and edge computing: studies will be undertaken to determine the best mobile communications system to deploy. Systems will undergo connection tests to promote the standardisation of 5G for road vehicles and verify how edge computing technology might be applicable.
• Agents: technologies will be developed to provide drivers with user-friendly services, combining driver advice based on what is happening inside and outside the vehicle, voice interaction technology and other technologies, using AI (artificial intelligence).

Toyota’s role in the collaboration is to research and develop and ICT platform for connected cars, aimed at creating new and better mobility services, drawing on its knowledge of how vehicles are used and vehicle data requirements.

Businesses within the NTT Group will be responsible for different areas of work. The NTT Data Corporation will develop technologies for building a platform to collect, accumulate and analyse large volumes of vehicle information, supported by the company’s advanced analytics capability and experience in supporting social infrastructure in Japan. The NNT Communications Corporation will establish a next generation global ICT infrastructure, optimised for the IOT by leveraging its globally expanding ICT services (including a Tier 1 IP backbone and VPN and data centres). NTT Docomo Inc will promote 5G standardisation for automotive use and lead the way in 5G mobile communications system trials, building on its role as a leader in 5G standardisation efforts and advanced R&D. NTT will carry out R&D on edge computing technology and promote international standardisation. It will also undertake R&D on driving advice and voice interaction technologies, making use of know-how from the NTT Group’s AI technology corevo®.*

* corevo® is a registered trademark of the Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation.