Toyota licenses Microsoft patents for internet-connected car

Toyota licenses patents from Microsoft for making cars that connect to the Internet. The patents cover, among other things, the control of sensors and software in cars. It is unknown how much money is involved in the deal.

Toyota expects Microsoft’s technology to create “contextual and immersive” software for its cars, a CEO said. Moreover, the development must go faster. It is known to be the first time that Microsoft has signed a licensing deal with an automaker, although it already has patent deals with many other tech companies.

According to the company, Microsoft’s patents cover, among other things, the use of sensors for scanning the environment, in-car entertainment systems, navigation and voice control of the software. Microsoft also claims to have software to detect engine problems at an early stage. Microsoft does not say which patents are involved.

It is not the first collaboration between the two companies. For example, Toyota has a Big Data Center that runs on Microsoft’s cloud service Azure.

Concept car Toyota