Toyota Tsusho Corporation has announced that Toyota Tsusho, Toyota Motor Corporation and Denso Corporation have made a joint investment through a private placement in Airbiquity Inc., a US-based developer of over the air (OTA) preprogramming systems for control software.
The purpose is to collaborate on development and commercialisation of OTA reprogramming systems for control software used in next-generation connected cars. Toyota Tsusho invested US$5m.
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Automobile control is performed by control software embedded in on-board electronic control units (ECU). As automobiles incorporate numerous functions, the importance of control software is rising, Toyota Tsusho says. The company maintains that remote updates will be an essential function for next-generation connected cars to enhance product features through the addition of functions after sale and to respond rapidly if a defect occurs.
Airbiquity develops control software OTA reprogramming systems based on its accumulated OTA reprogramming technology and know-how for car Infotainment system software and other systems.
Through this investment, Toyota Tsusho aims to accelerate the commercialisation of the control software OTA reprogramming system developed by Airbiquity and to provide service to automobile manufacturers. In addition, Toyota Tsusho will collaborate with Toyota Motor and Denso on system development and work towards the installation of such systems on actual vehicles.
