In cooperation with Microsoft and San Francisco-based Salesforce.com, Toyota is creating their very own, exclusive social networking site, named "Toyota Friend". This social network is designed to allow Toyota drivers interact with their cars, just as you would interact on any other social network site.
Still in the developmental phase, "Toyota Friend" was recently displayed in a Tokyo showroom, where onlookers observed as an owner of a plug-in Prius received a message from his hybrid, named "Pre-boy", telling him to charge his car overnight. After the driver followed the advisement, the Prius responded, "The charge will be complete by 2:15 a.m. Is that OK? See you tomorrow."1
Herbie or Christine, anyone? Anyone? Only Toyota isn't personifying cars in fiction. They're doing it in real life... in a manner more friendly than in Christine, of course.
"Toyota Friend" also interacts with other social networking sites. Toyota drivers who decide to use the new inovatoin once it is launched can decide to keep their exchanges with their car private or share them with other "Toyota Friend" users on Facebook, Twitter, and other similar social networking sites.
In addition to charge-time reminders, "Toyota Friend" will even remind you to get your car inspected. First, "Toyota Friend" will send you a notification that your vehicle is due for an inspection. Immediately following it will connect to a dealer to set up an appointment.
Right now, "Toyota Friend" is set to release in Japan first in 2012 and the rest of the world will follow after. To begin with, it will be an option only with electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids.
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