- Executives Steve Basra and
Dave Tsai earn recognition for
helping move Toyota forward as company continues mobility
transformation
- First-annual MotorTrend Software-Defined Vehicle Innovator
Awards recognize individuals who have made significant
contributions to the automotive industry through software
LAS
VEGAS and PLANO,
Texas, Jan. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- With the
seismic shift moving the automotive industry to become more
connected, automated and electric than ever before, software is
taking a leading role in redefining how customers interact with
their vehicles. Toyota today announced that MotorTrend has
named two executive leaders within Toyota Motor North America
(TMNA) Connected Technologies and Toyota Connected North America
(TCNA) as part of its first class of software-defined vehicle
innovators.
Steve Basra, group vice president of Connected Technologies at
TMNA; president and chief executive officer at TCNA; and board
member for Toyota Connected India, Toyota Connected Europe and
TCNA, has been with Toyota organizations in the U.S. and
Europe since 1998 and earned a
spot on MotorTrend's list of software-defined vehicle leaders.
Basra's dual-capped role within TMNA and TCNA, brings together
software designers, engineers and developers to help redefine
experiences Toyota and Lexus drivers enjoy in their vehicles and
through mobile applications.
Basra's leadership has been crucial toward technology
advancements made in occupant safety and natural speech assistant
technologies.
Alongside him, TCNA's Vice President of Engineering Dave Tsai was named as a Domain Expert, helping
develop TCNA's culture by merging Toyota quality with Silicon
Valley-style software development best practices. Additionally,
Tsai has worked with TCNA's People Operations team to create career
paths for engineers to have engaging paths where they can continue
to grow professionally and develop technologies that have the
potential to reach millions of customers around the world.
Tsai helped bring safety and telematics systems in-house under
Toyota engineers, contributing toward saving hundreds of millions
of dollars and increasing up time.
Basra and Tsai were among the earliest members of TCNA in 2016
after Toyota Motor Company President Akio
Toyoda announced the formation of Toyota Connected mobility
and data services companies. Among their first projects at the time
was to build a concept of what their ideal in-vehicle experience
would be, taking a Lexus NX and completely reimagining its
interior.
"Then, we brought many of the ideas we learned in that concept
to life with our latest Toyota Audio Multimedia and Lexus Interface
infotainment systems found in many 2022 and 2023 vehicles," said
Basra. "The teams we built created our first infotainment and
voice-command technologies designed specifically for North American
audiences. We're thankful for those who believed in our vision and
the many Connected Technologies and Toyota Connected team members
who tirelessly worked to bring customers a truly first-class
experience from behind the wheel."
Working within TCNA, they established the Drivelink telematics
services provider (TSP), which powers Toyota and Lexus Safety
Connect telematics services. Since it launched in 2019, the TSP has
been activated in more than 6 million vehicles in North America, answering more than 3 million
customer calls including more than 14,000 vehicle accidents – many
of which connected drivers and passengers with first
responders.
By bringing their TSP in-house, engineers were able to more
readily help customers, roll-out software updates more efficiently
and decrease operating costs so that the savings could be instead
invested in innovation projects. Drivelink's underlying code is now
being shared by Toyota Connected companies in India, Australia and elsewhere.
Complementing Drivelink, the new-generation Toyota Audio
Multimedia and Lexus Interface are notable for being the first of
the brands' infotainment systems to have over-the-air updates as
well as cloud-connectivity that has brought them a number of
enhancements. The systems also integrate a Voice Assistant, which
uses "Hey Toyota/Hey Lexus" wake words and can control climate,
audio, navigation and even windshield wipers in select
vehicles.
"Toyota vehicles are known for being there when our customers
need us," said Tsai. "It is our job to uphold that reputation with
the digital services we're creating as well. However we engage
customers – whether in the vehicle, through a phone app or even in
the metaverse, we want customers to enjoy the peace of mind that
comes with a Toyota experience."
Teams are already beginning development of future infotainment
systems that will further TMNA Connected Technologies and TCNA's
role in the software-defined vehicle. Many of the new features and
functionality being rolled out come as a direct result of how
customers use their vehicles – and how Toyota companies envision
the quickly approaching world of shared mobility. Toyota has kept a
keen eye toward developing core strengths with technology and
working with partners where it makes sense.
"No matter what, Toyota and Lexus customers are always at the
forefront of everything we do," said Basra. "Technology will
progress. Cars will change. But the trust customers have in our
vehicles will always drive every decision we make."
MotorTrend introduced its first class of Software-Defined
Vehicle Innovators during the 2023 Consumer Electronics Show in
Las Vegas. More information about
the awards can be found here:
https://www.motortrend.com/news/winners-motortrend-software-defined-vehicle-innovator-sdvi-awards/.
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 directly employs more than 39,000 people in the U.S.
who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of
nearly 32 million cars and trucks at our nine manufacturing
plants. By 2025, Toyota's 10th plant in North Carolina will begin to manufacture
automotive batteries for electrified vehicles. With more
electrified vehicles on the road than any other automaker, a
quarter of the company's 2021 U.S. sales were electrified.
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 virtually 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:
Corey Proffitt
646-971-4522
Corey.Proffitt@toyota.com
Jacob Brown
469-292-3455
Jacob.Brown@toyota.com
*Toyota Connected Services and Lexus Interface depend on certain
factors outside of Toyota's and Lexus' control in order to operate,
including 4G network availability, a cellular connection and GPS
signal. Without any one or more of these things, operability may be
limited or precluded, including access to response center and
emergency support. Services vary by vehicle and are subject to
change at any time without notice. Requires app
download/registration and subscription after trial (if applicable).
Terms of Use apply. Data charges may apply. See Owner's Manual and
https://www.toyota.com/connected-services/ or
https://drivers.lexus.com/lexusdrivers/technology/interface. For
Toyota's Connected Services' or Lexus' Interface data collection,
use, sharing and retention practices, please visit
https://www.toyota.com/support/privacy-rights/ or
https://www.lexus.com/privacy.
Drive Connect service not available in every city or
roadway.
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SOURCE Toyota Connected North America