Toyota, Panasonic Forming JV for “Connected” Homes, Cars
Toyota Motor Corp. and Panasonic Corp. plan to merge their town development businesses in January into a joint venture to develop connected services for homes and vehicles.
Toyota Motor Corp. and Panasonic Corp. say they will merge their town development businesses in January into a joint venture that will develop connected services for homes and vehicles.
Called Prime Life Technologies Corp., the new company will apply Internet of Things technology to integrate household devices with advanced personal mobility services. the companies say that Mitsui & Co. may become an equity participant in the Tokyo-based venture.
The companies predict that new approaches to personal mobility, coupled with dramatically expanded connectivity, will redefine the attractiveness of cities in terms of service infrastructure rather than location.
Toyota President Akio Toyoda says his aim for the venture is to provide “a new kind of lifestyle” for “smart” cities that involves connected cars, public transportation and housing. Panasonic President Kazuhiro Tsuga says the partnership will “offer new value in everyday life.”
RELATED CONTENT
-
Report Predicts Limited Impact of Autonomous Tech on Professional Drivers
A new study says autonomous vehicles will displace some taxi drivers but have only a modest impact on the number of truck driver jobs over the next 10 years.
-
Toyota Finds a Mystery in Occupant Safety for Self-Driving Vehicles
Toyota Motor Co. says its study of how people in self-driving cars react to a near crash proves it will take far more research to improve the safety of occupants in such vehicles, Automotive News reports.
-
Startup Readies Solar-Powered EV
Germany’s Sono Motors GmbH says it has received 5,000 orders for its upcoming Sion electric car, which can be partially recharged by it attached solar panels.