PLANO, Texas, June 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- As the need
for a more personalized and intelligent in-vehicle experience
continues to grow and be a driving force behind vehicle selection,
Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) is proud to unveil a new
multimedia solution delivering an exceptional in-car user
experience.
![Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) unveils a new multimedia solution delivering an exceptional in-car user experience. Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) unveils a new multimedia solution delivering an exceptional in-car user experience.](https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1532019/HERO_IMAGE_INTERFACE_MAP_TOUCH.jpg)
Developed in North
America
As a result of listening to customers' requests and
anticipating their future desires, TMNA turned its focus in-house
to develop a superior solution. With the philosophy of One Toyota in mind, the formation of the
Connected Technologies group took shape in 2018. The new group
aimed to unify customer experience, in-vehicle technology, value
chain and connected revenue process – functions previously
scattered across the organization. Connected Technologies invested
in the expansion by building an agile, cross-functional team of
more than 400 dedicated team members and business partners. From
the outset, the team began development of solutions that would meet
and exceed customer needs and deliver amazing and personal
connected experiences.
"With the new multimedia system, we focused on the needs and
wants of the customer and what would enable a more seamless and
enjoyable experience on the road," said Charan Lota, executive chief engineer and vice
president at TMNA Connected Technologies. "We brought multiple
groups from electrical engineering to software development and
business planning together into one team with one common goal -
enhancing the in-vehicle experience."
The significantly advanced technological solution represents
true collaboration across the TMNA Connected Technologies group as
well as with teams from partner companies Toyota Connected and
Toyota Motor Corporation – involving hundreds of team members
working over the course of three years while devoting thousands of
hours to testing.
"The development of this new system represents a fundamental
shift in the way we design products," said Daniel Hall, global chief UX designer, TMNA
Connected Technologies. "With the adoption of over-the-air (OTA)
updates we are able to develop software in smaller, more manageable
pieces – with the ability to provide updates to customers even
quicker."
Enhanced Technologies and User Experience
The new system features multiple touchscreen options from 8-
inches up-to 14-inches, which all feature the same newly enhanced
design cues and functionality, while retaining a volume knob. The
system also offers five-times the processing power of the previous
generation system, an incredible leap in processing capability that
provides faster and more responsive touch functionality. All
screens feature modern designs with optically bonded, glare
reducing technology allowing a customer experience that mirrors
smartphone-like capability.
An all-new native navigation system featuring 100% cloud
capability allows faster, more accurate directions and mapping. OTA
updates will allow real-time updates for navigation mapping,
enriched media experiences and other enhancements across the
system's lifetime.
The new Human Machine Interface (HMI) provides an
enhanced user interaction through sight, touch and voice thanks to
improvements in the graphical user interface (GUI), voice interface
and unique North American animation. It delivers a unified feeling
and ease of use, while balancing accessibility needs. Additionally,
the voice interface is designed to use advanced graphics to
distinguish between listening and processing states, and the
appearance matches the new and improved capability of cloud
processing. Another significant advancement is the animation
incorporated into this multimedia solution, which brings it to
life. These unique, leading designs can be seen everywhere from
interacting between functions, sliding menus and dropdown
banners.
Whether selecting from AM or FM, standard SiriusXM® stations or
connected streaming music sources, such as Apple Music® or Amazon
Music®, the audio HMI is also significantly improved. Occupants can
now select from available music sources based on music genre or
frequent preference. AM and FM station dial numbers are displayed
along with logos when available. Sourcing information from the
cloud, the native music system is always up to date and features
enhanced programming details. Speaking of connected sources, the
new multimedia system now brings standard wireless Apple CarPlay®
and Android Auto™ compatibility.
Structured with a customer first approach, the newly developed
Virtual Assistant (VA) is intended to be the primary way
occupants interact with the new multimedia system and is designed
to enable a voice first application. Combining a hybrid developed
structure of in-house Toyota Connected engineered machine learning
with a cloud-based platform featuring up to date content, VA aims
to provide a natural and easy to use interaction for vehicle
occupants. Designed with dual-microphones, enhanced
noise-cancellation, speaker location and seat detection
capabilities, the approach allows front seat occupants an expanded
and interactive functionality to access navigation, media, phone
and select vehicle settings.
In the age of digital transformation in mobility, having a more
personalized experience that moves from vehicle to vehicle with the
driver is essential. Through the new multimedia system's User
Profile feature, the driver's personalized settings and
experience, from preferred media or radio station to climate
settings in some models, will be retained and accessible when the
driver next returns to the vehicle.
Key Features of the New Multimedia Solution*:
- Enhanced Navigation- The updated navigation system
brings a beautiful design, trusted sources and the Virtual
Assistant together to create a customer-first solution. It allows
drivers and passengers to use the voice-activated commands or
touchscreen to search for directions, find points of interest or
explore local businesses – Google points of interest (POI) data is
integrated to ensure up-to-date search capability. Navigation is
also available to passengers with or without network connection,
with offline mode designed to detect when the vehicle is near or
entering an area with low connectivity and download applicable maps
and services in advance.
- Virtual Assistant (VA) – VA provides a natural and
easy-to-use virtual companion that enhances the traditional voice
command system thus providing the vehicle occupant with an industry
leading native VA native engine and a revolutionary way to interact
through a voice-first approach. Voice recognition with natural
language understanding enables driver interactions with their
vehicle that are more advanced and personalized than ever before.
With simple wake up phrases such as "Hey/Hi/Hello/OK" to make
connection simple and seamless. Intuitive and natural VA responses
allow for audible replies by the vehicle occupant creating a
human-like conversation experience.
- User Profiles- To help improve the user's overall
driving experience, a user will receive the same personalized
settings in new vehicles making it portable from vehicle to
vehicle. The new profile system is stored on the cloud, meaning
users can access and take their experiences on the go with them
across vehicles featuring the new multimedia system. Once created,
users can use a Bluetooth handheld device such as a smartphone or
tablet, smart key, or manual login to access their profile.
- Digital Key – To make road trips even more convenient,
vehicles equipped with this new system enable owners access to a
digital key. An extension of the User Profile feature, through
their smartphone when within Bluetooth proximity to the vehicle,
owners can lock/unlock and start/stop their vehicle motor through
the Toyota or Lexus App. The digital
key can also be shared with up to seven different guest users at
one time. No passwords or PINS are required, creating a seamless
guest experience for users registered on the Toyota or Lexus App.
- Over the Air (OTA) – By placing less dependence on
third-party suppliers and through the adoption of agile development
processes and Over the Air (OTA) program updates, which enable
cloud-based upgrades to in-vehicle software in real-time, the team
was able to develop a system that gives drivers and passengers what
they want in record time.
- Safety Connect – Provides peace of mind for when
unexpected emergencies occur by connecting drivers with a 24/7
emergency response agent who can quickly request dispatch of
emergency services to a vehicle's exact location or assist
authorities in locating a stolen vehicle.
- Service Connect - Drivers receive personalized
maintenance updates, vehicle health reports and maintenance
reminders to help them maintain their vehicle through various
subscriptions available on the smartphone App.
"With this new system we are jumping into the future, from
larger touchscreens up to 14 inches to having a 100%
cloud-navigation for more accurate and faster directions, we are
thrilled to deliver this amazing and connected experience to our
Toyota and Lexus guests," said Steve Basra, group vice president,
TMNA Connected Technologies. "We want all of our customers to
experience this in-vehicle advancement, and that is why this system
will eventually be offered across our vehicle line-up – regardless
of screen size or model grade. This is another first in company
history."
The new system will make its debut as Lexus Interface
multimedia system with the launch of the all-new Lexus NX in the
fourth quarter of 2021. An all-new Toyota multimedia system will
debut in the fourth quarter of 2021, with more information
available closer to launch.
*Certain features include a trial period at no extra cost
upon original date of new vehicle purchase or lease. After the
trial period ends, a paid subscription is required. More detail on
trial-periods and subscription-based features will be available at
the on-sale date.
Android Auto is a trademark of Google LLC.
About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the
cultural fabric in the U.S. for more than 60 years, and is
committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility
through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our nearly 1,500
dealerships.
Toyota has created a tremendous value chain and directly employs
more than 36,000 in the U.S. The company has contributed
world-class design, engineering, and assembly of more than 30
million cars and trucks at our 9 manufacturing plants, 10 including
our joint venture in Alabama that
begins production in 2021.
To help inspire the next generation for a career in STEM-based
fields, including mobility, Toyota launched its virtual education
hub at www.TourToyota.com with an immersive experience and chance
to visit many of our U.S. manufacturing facilities. The hub also
includes a series of free STEM-based lessons and curriculum through
Toyota USA Foundation partners,
virtual field trips and more. For more information about Toyota,
visit www.toyotanewsroom.com.
About Toyota Connected, Inc.
Based in Plano, Texas, Toyota Connected North America
(TCNA) was established in 2016 to drive Toyota's global efforts for
an intelligent mobile society. With big data collected from
vehicles and analyzed on a cloud platform, Toyota Connected
humanizes the driving experience by providing customers secure,
seamless and contextual services, elevating the customer experience
while benefitting dealers, distributors, and partners. At the heart
of TCNA is Toyota's belief in human-centered mobility and a
fundamental commitment to personal privacy.
Contact Information:
Corey Proffitt
646-971-4522
Corey.Proffitt@toyota.com
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SOURCE Toyota Motor North America