The ng Connect Program reportedly announced that the Toyota Prius hybrid vehicle will serve as the platform for the program’s first LTE Connected Car.

 

This new concept vehicle is expected to showcase how 4G/LTE (News - Alert) mobile access technology and the resulting ultra high bandwidth connectivity can provide enhanced capabilities in automobiles in the future. Next-generation 4G/LTE networks are under deployment and may be commercially available next year, company officials said.

 

Toyota Motor Sales USA, Inc is an ng Connect Program member and along with Alcatel-Lucent (News - Alert), Atlantic Records, QNX Software Systems, chumby and Kabillion customized the popular hybrid vehicle with optimized services.

 

The Toyota Prius with LTE Connected Car concept transforms into a mobile platform where information can be accessed and transmitted using high-bandwidth connectivity, cloud-based interactive applications and innovative in-car computing platforms.

 

The LTE Connected Car integrates in-vehicle systems, LTE hardware and advanced software and enhances in-vehicle experience. This indicates the technological possibilities for automobiles in future, ng Connect Program sources said.

 

“The Prius is the perfect choice for our first LTE-enabled vehicle,” said Derek Kuhn, Vice President, Emerging Technology and Media Group, Alcatel-Lucent and ng Connect Program co-founder, in a statement. “Recognized worldwide for its innovative design and hybrid capabilities, which support the technology leadership reflected in the LTE Connected Car, it is the ideal vehicle for this visionary project.”

 

The concept vehicle features a variety of entertainment, infotainment and security services including video-on-demand, gaming, home control and advanced GPS navigation besides roadway and vehicle monitoring. The Connected Car also features an in-car Wi-Fi network which supports all Wi-Fi enabled devices in the vehicle besides providing connectivity to the cloud through LTE.

 

“When managing and working toward Toyota’s long-term technology vision, our eye is always first and foremost on what we hear our customers desire in their vehicle,” said Jon Bucci, vice president, advanced technology department, Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc., in a statement.

 

Toyota Motor Sales works in tandem with the ng Connect Program to promote its initiatives in the area of automotive telematics and technology. The recent launch of Lexus and Toyota’s new services Lexus Enform and Safety Connect are in line with this, according to Toyota sources.

 

The LTE Connected Car was displayed in the ng Connect Program Technology Showcase which took place in New York City on the 3rd of this month.