TOYOTA

Company introduces new remote control telematic services for its vehicles

Car manufacturers have long been involved in implementing telematics services, although they should primarily be implemented by security system providers. Some companies are eager to make money by providing related services. Toyota's American buyers, for example, run the risk of finding themselves paying for remote boot functionality over time.

The Verge found that Toyota offers a remote starting function for the car's original keychain engine for a specific period of time, depending on the level of equipment in a specific car. Those who choose the Audio Plus package are entitled to three years of free use of the remote key start function, while the Premium Audio package extends this period to ten years. In the future, for the right to use this feature, you will either have to pay $8 per month or make an $80 upfront payment immediately per year.

The suite of Remote Control telematics services allows Toyota car buyers to remotely determine the car's location, the fuel level in the tank, control the door and trunk locks, and start the engine not just from a locksmith. standard, but also from wearable devices or a smartphone, or through a smart home system. It turns out that Toyota car buyers for the right to use some of the services in this complex must pay after a certain period of validity of the “demo version” of the system. By the way, on vehicles with manual transmission, the remote engine start function is not offered. All of these restrictions have long been circumvented through third-party security systems, so Toyota's approach to the problem is sure to confuse many car owners. 

Image source: Toyota Motor