Microsoft Azure Chosen by Nissan to Power Its Telematics System

Nissan’s LEAF models and Infinity models in Europe will soon feature Connect Telematics Systems (CTS) powered by Microsoft Azure. Since the LEAF’s debut in 2010, over 200,000 have been sold globally, making it the best-selling electric vehicle in the world. The Japanese automaker reportedly chose Azure to meet the customers’ expectations of in-vehicle mobility solutions, improve safety and create extra ways to interact with their vehicles.

Nissan’s car designs are geared towards the next generation of car buyers who put much value on environment-friendliness. Having modified the performance and public perception of electric vehicles worldwide since the LEAF’s debut, the automaker remains one of the pioneers in EV technology. What makes EVs more attractive and convenient is their connectivity to their owners and to the world around them. Range prediction, maps, charge status, charging station availability, and all the services customers have come to anticipate when inside a vehicle are reliant on that connectivity. Azure offers a global cloud platform with innovative security that enables Nissan to deliver services globally to this wide customer base.

Nissan CTS is paired to Azure, enabling a remote connection to the vehicle. This system enables LEAF drivers to perform an array of functions on their car even when not inside, such as using a mobile phone to turn on and regulate climate controls and setting charging functions remotely even when the car is powered down. The charging event can also be started by programming an onboard timer.

As regulations on data privacy and technology standards become more stringent in every country, Nissan and Microsoft are dedicated to meet regulatory standards worldwide. The automaker chose Azure due to its enterprise-grade security and compliance. Microsoft was the initial key cloud provider to implement the world’s first international cloud privacy standard, ISO 27018, offering enterprise customers with confidence to move to Azure. This supports a number of programming languages, operating systems, and tools, providing choice and flexibility for Nissan.

With Hands-Free Text Messaging Assistant offered as standard for all Nissan LEAF worldwide, drivers can manage incoming text messages through voice control without taking their hands from the steering wheel or their eyes off the road. Drivers are warned to an incoming text and after activating the system, can hear the text read out loud and respond either by voice or through the steering wheel switches using present answers such as “on my way”, “driving, can’t text”, “okay”, and “running late”. These experiences are powered by Azure’s back-end connectivity and support.

Moreover, Nissan can send over-the-air OTA) “point of interest” (POI) updates as they become available, allowing customers to have new information as the company strives to refresh its services. Connectivity to Azure enables the automaker to bring new connected features to market faster and provide flexibility for the future.

The collaboration is a boon for Nissan to tap into Microsoft’s know-how across important areas such as data management and analytics. Azure provides the carmarker with the scale and commitment to security it needs to support its global operations. Also, thanks to the expansive global footprint of Microsoft’s datacenters as they offer the coverage to support Nissan’s vehicles anywhere they are in the globe.

In a statement, Celso Guiotoko, chief information officer and corporate vice president in charge of global corporate IS/IT, Nissan, said that Microsoft Azure would help them deliver a more cutting-edge and intelligent future for their connected technologies. He noted that it is also a bold first step toward innovations that would realize future new mobility.

Nissan’s connected platform powered by Azure is enabling the carmaker to continue to offer its customers with outstanding value and add new services throughout the vehicle life cycle.

According to Peggy Johnson, executive vice president of business development, Microsoft, their collaboration with Nissan shows what carmakers could attain by tapping into Microsoft’s intelligent cloud platform. “Further, our collaboration reveals tremendous possibilities for how consumers can get more out of their connected driving experience.”