Toyota, Subaru, and Mazda working on next-generation vehicle communication systems

Suzuki, Subaru, Daihatsu, Toyota, and Mazda have agreed to jointly develop a set of technical specifications for next-generation vehicle communication devices.

The group of manufacturers will also promote the common use of communication systems which will be standardised, linking “automobiles and society”.

“Rapid advances are being made in the connected domain, in relation to the communications and data aspects of technology and business including cloud services, IoT, big data, and AI,” said the companies.

“Individual automobile manufacturers are independently developing vehicle communications devices, and even in cases where the same connected services such as remote operation functions are provided, each company is adopting a different approach in proceeding with development and deploying relevant resources.”

It is for this reason the group of manufacturers aims to jointly develop vehicle communication devices – which they say will provide more convenience and a higher level of safety to motorists.

Each company will then be able to spend more time focussing on applications and services which will run on their common infrastructure.

The graph below provides an overview of the shift in development which Suzuki, Subaru, Daihatsu, Toyota, and Mazda aim to achieve.

Using Toyota’s technology

The first step in the joint-development process will see Suzuki, Subaru, Daihatsu, and Mazda incorporate their own technologies into the base vehicle communications technologies developed by Toyota.

The companies will then jointly build new systems for connected cars, with common connection specifications for vehicles, networks, and vehicle communications device centres.

“As a result, by stabilizing the communication quality between vehicles and vehicle communications device centre further, it will be possible to provide more convenient connected services to customers, such as clearer calls between customers and operators and faster connection speeds,” said the companies.

“At the same time, it will be possible to reduce the development burdens of each participating company and simplify system operation and version upgrades that include additional new functions, thereby optimizing resources such as facilities and personnel.”

Suzuki, Subaru, Daihatsu, Toyota, and Mazda stated they are open to collaborating with “other like-minded partners” for future joint development projects.