Toyota, Microsoft Team For Cloud Automotive Project

In a wacky team-up worthy of a comic book crossover or a buddy cop film, Microsoft and Toyota are joining forces in a $12 million initiative that will grant Toyotas the ability to stream music and connect online to information services, along with other superpowers.

Wired reports electric and plug-in hybrids Toyota introduces next year will be the first to be blessed with the technology.

Toyota Motor Corp. president Akio Toyoda explains:

“Together, utilizing Windows Azure and Microsoft’s vast information infrastructure, we will boost the value of automobiles by making them ‘information terminals,’ moving beyond today’s GPS navigation and wireless safety communications, while at the same time enhancing driver and traffic safety.”

Wired said the companies hope to meet or surpass similar systems, including Ford Sync and OnStar.

What online capabilities would you like to see developed for vehicles?

Toyota, Microsoft to Bring the Cloud to Cars [Wired]

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