Mar 25 (NHK) - Toyota Motor and Japanese telecom giant NTT are forming a capital tie-up to advance developments toward a so-called "smart city." The project is expected to incorporate the latest artificial intelligence and environmental technologies.
Sources tell NHK that the two companies will take nearly 2 billion dollars of each other's shares. The two companies will hold a news conference later today.
The tie-up would combine Toyota's next-generation auto technologies, like self-driving, with NTT's expertise in communications infrastructure.
The two firms will team up on a wide range of mobile services. The project is expected to move beyond 5G network connectivity, into the world of 6G.
Automakers have been in an intense global race for advanced technologies, known as "CASE." This refers to "connected, autonomous, shared, and electric."
In the telecom field, competition has also been fierce over services that can instantly deliver massive amounts of data.
With this tie-up, the two industry leaders appear to be aiming for a leading global role in developing eco-friendly cities.
