Toyota has launched its new Connected services division, which among other things is to investigate behavioural telematics.

The launch of Toyota Connected builds on Toyota’s global vision of future mobility that is clean, safe and convenient

The company will develop predictive, contextual and intuitive services that help to humanise the driving experience, while pushing the technology into the background.

Zack Hicks, chief executive officer of Toyota Connected and chief information officer at Toyota Motor North America, said: “Toyota Connected will help free our customers from the tyranny of technology. It will make lives easier and help us to return to our humanity.

“From telematics services that learn from your habits and preferences, to use-based insurance pricing models that respond to actual driving patterns, to connected vehicle networks that can share road condition and traffic information, our goal is to deliver services that make lives easier.”

Microsoft engineers will work with Toyota Connected at its new facility, providing continuous support across technology areas and making use of a wide range of data analytics and mobile programs. Toyota Connected will adopt Microsoft’s Azure cloud computing platform, making use of a hybrid system worldwide.

Kurt DelBene, executive vice president, corporate strategy and planning at Microsoft, added: “Toyota is taking a bold step in creating a company dedicated to bringing cloud intelligence into the driving experience. We look forward to working with Toyota Connected to harness the power data to make driving more personal, intuitive and safe.”