Toyota and Nissan Join Forces to Standardize Automotive Electronic Software

Similarly to the way General Motors and Ford Motor Company recently put together a joint venture to develop and build an

The union would make it possible to reduce development costs and improve the quality of base software. (Photo: Nissan Canada)

upcoming 6-speed automatic transmission, Japan's top duo released a statement last Thursday that announced the union would make it possible to reduce development costs and improve the quality of base software necessary for operating automotive electronic systems. The software, which is comparable to a computer's operating system, such as Microsoft XP or Mac OSX, is extremely expensive to develop and maintain.

This makes a great deal of sense being that automakers only show their differences when it comes to electronic interfaces, buttons, switches and knobs, not the software behind them - accepting the software that runs electronic interfaces such as GPS navigation systems, etc.

"At Toyota, we'll see an increase in collaborative areas," said Takeshi Yoshida, Managing Officer, Lexus Development Center, through a translator during a Vancouver press conference on Friday. "The standardization of software will only affect the foundation of

A non-profit entity dubbed JASPAR will handle the details of the joint venture. (Photo: Toyota Canada)

systems, not the interface at the user end. Everything specifically depends on the customer's preferences, as well as the vehicle application."

The Toyota and Nissan joint venture will be through a non-profit entity dubbed JASPAR (Japan Automotive Software Platform and Architecture), initially set up last Wednesday by two Toyota group companies, which includes Toyota Tsusho Corp, according to a Reuters report.

Is the JV only limited to Toyota and Nissan? Not at all. JASPAR is also looking for participation from additional car makers and automotive electronics manufacturers in expectation of setting up an international automotive software standard.