Toyota Looks to Utilize Open-Source SmartDeviceLink Software

Jan 5, 2016

Toyota is making big moves to advance its vehicle technology and connectivity into the future as the brand just announced that they’ll be working together with Ford on Livio’s SmartDeviceLink (SDL). On top of that, Toyota will incorporate, Data Communication Module (DCM) to its Toyota and Lexus cars during 2017.

Currently, most app support systems in vehicles are specific to the automaker. This means that from a Toyota to a BMW you can’t transfer any apps or settings. However, the SDL hopes to change that by creating an open-source smartphone platform that can be used across all automakers in the industry.

This would make things easier for both drivers and app developers since it means that only one app needs to be made for all available vehicles. Additionally, Toyota also hopes to add even more DCMs into the future. By 2019, it plans to have a global standard DCM throughout the world, which would help in sending distress signals, as well as sending a massive amount of information to the Toyota Big Data Center (TBDC). Toyota hopes to continue to advance in the future and is very excited to be laying the groundwork for great things to come.

Jaynes, Nick. “Toyota Embraces Big Data and Ford’s Open-source SmartDeviceLink at CES.” Mashable. N.p., 4 Jan. 2016. Web. 05 Jan. 2016.