Toyota to use Google Street View in vehicles
Toyota is turning to Google Street View to further interactive dashboard technology and to give drivers visual cues when going towards their destination.
In an announcement, the automaker said that Google Street View and Panoramio services will be available to owners of Toyota Touch 2 with Go from January next year.
Toyota Touch 2 with Go is an in-car entertainment system available on Toyota models including the Yaris, Yaris Hybrid, Prius and Avensis. The interactive dashboard will include a new navigation system on 2014 models, providing drivers with "panoramic views from positions along many roads" through Google Street View technology.
The automaker says that including Street View will allow drivers to "familiarize themselves with their destination before they arrive."
Daniele Schillaci, Senior Vice President Sales and Marketing for Toyota in Europe commented:
"We are excited to be the first mainstream brand to offer these services, which allow drivers to better confirm or recognise their destination, and to visualise the access and parking layouts before arrival."
Driver smartphones can be used to connect to the Internet, which can save owners from needing to purchase additional hardware or dealing with high roaming costs when using the navigation software.
The service is free for one year. Customers who buy Toyota Touch 2 with Go-equipped models before January 2014 can access the service by updating their software.
This post was originally published on Smartplanet.com