Local governments and businesses be able to utilize Toyota’s proprietary T-Probe traffic information, route history, traffic volume maps, and other map information derived from big data. T-Probe provides real-time traffic information generated from telematics data about vehicle location, travel speed, and other parameters.

Users will be able to display system information together with their own content, opening up a wide range of uses, such as for emergency and disaster relief operations and for traffic and logistics systems.

For the first time, T-Probe traffic information will be available for systems other than Toyota navigation systems—e.g., smartphones. The newly established, cloud-based Toyota Smart Center will also provide a voice recognition agent function for processing spoken (Japanese language) queries.

TMC sees the Big Data Traffic Information Service and the linked smart G-BOOK service as comprehensive lifestyle services that contribute to environment-friendly, safe and disaster-resilient communities.

Big Data system overview. Click to enlarge.

Main features of Big Data Traffic Information Service. The cloud-based service allows use of Toyota’s proprietary T-Probe traffic information, route history, traffic volume map, deployment locations of ABS or other on-board emergency safety systems, and other map information data via PC, smartphone, or tablet.

Information about facilities owned or operated by local governments and businesses and locations of commercial vehicles can be shown on the map, while information and images can be submitted by users via smartphones.

In disaster situations, information about evacuation sites, shelters, and other facilities can be shown, with the location of rescuers (equipped with smartphones) and emergency and relief vehicles also indicated on the map.

To facilitate damage assessment and relief efforts during times of emergency, rescue personnel can submit damage information and make relief requests via smartphone, with this information being shown along with T-Probe traffic information, route history, and hazard maps provided by local governments.

At other times, the service can be used for traffic and logistics systems.

Suitable processing of T-Probe traffic information enables map-based route planning for effective guidance to multiple destinations, along with location tracking and travel history management.

The basic charge for government and business users starts at ¥200,000 (US$1,960) per month, which includes up to 50 user IDs and is limited to 100,000 transactions per month.

New smart G-BOOK service for smartphones. The upgraded service features full support for a range of mobility options, from driving to walking and features T-Probe traffic information (available for the first time on systems other than official Toyota on-board navigation systems) that enables tailored route calculation taking traffic congestion in account.

Usability has been enhanced with a complete range of functions, including enlarged views of intersections, 3D display of landmarks and voice announcement of place names. Linking with smartphone-compatible navigation displays (dealer-installed option) is also supported (iPhone 4, 4S, others).

Via the Toyota Smart Center-based voice-recognition service (Japanese language), queries for desired destinations can be open and expressed naturally, for example: “Find the nearest convenience store”, or “An open sushi bar on Harumi Street”. If the agent is unable to answer adequately, the query is handed over to a human operator for follow-up.

User-accumulated traveled route history can be displayed at any time. During disaster or emergency situations, guidance can be provided to evacuation sites. By linking to traffic information provided from local governments, evacuation and disaster information can also be provided to users.

SNS report icons. Click to enlarge.

If a user encounters a road hazard, or encounters an accident or traffic jam, the information can be reported with a simple touch of an icon on the smartphone. Such information can also be viewed by other users of the Big Data Traffic Information Service.

User registration enables access to disaster relief services and route check without charge. For ¥2,500 (US$24.50) yen per year, users have access to the operator service and traffic Information SNS. TMC is conducting a special launch pricing campaign: ¥1,000 for first 20,000 users (10,000 each for Android and iOS).

An additional ¥1,000 (US$9.80) per year brings use of VICS traffic information.