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Toyota creates “Connected Technologies” team under CIO Zack Hicks

By TechTaffy Desk
Toyota is forming a new group in US focused on user experiences and new technologies for its Toyota and Lexus vehicles. The newly formed “Connected Technologies” group will have approximately 100 positions, and will include members from Toyota’s existing teams working on connected vehicles, information systems, and research and development, says the company.

Connected Technologies will be based in Plano and report to Zack Hicks. Mr. Hicks will continue in his two current roles, as both CIO of Toyota Motor North America and as the CEO of Toyota Connected North America, while adding this new responsibility.

Connected vehicle technology includes one or more connections to the Internet, such as via smartphone or satellite. There are two areas of experience that are focused on: driver-centric and car-centric. Driver-centric content, like Internet-connected radio, cloud-based content, and apps, help personalize the driver’s car ownership experience. The other, car-centric content, offers companies like Toyota the opportunity for remote diagnostics, over-the-air software updates, cyber-security, and vehicle relationship management.

[Image courtesy: Toyota]

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