Lexus and Toyota First In Industry To Launch Integrated HD Radio™ Technology For Audio Entertainment and Traffic & Data Delivery

COLUMBIA, Md., Jan. 8, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- iBiquity Digital Corporation, the developer of digital HD Radio Technology for AM and FM audio and data broadcasting, announced today that Lexus and Toyota will be the first automotive brands to launch integrated audio and real-time traffic services using Clear Channel's Total Traffic Network (TTN), a groundbreaking programming and technology service that delivers real-time local traffic flow and incident information, and HD Radio Technology. The all-new Lexus IS, which will debut next week at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, will be the first Lexus vehicle using the new HD Radio service when it arrives in dealerships this summer; Toyota vehicles with the service will launch later this year.

Lexus and Toyota will launch two systems integrating HD Radio digital audio entertainment and TTN's real-time traffic and weather information.

For vehicles with navigation systems, Lexus and Toyota will provide a digital audio and navigation system driven by the first of its kind hybrid technology capable of receiving digital traffic and weather information from both HD Radio stations and the cell phone network, using the driver's smartphone connected with the Lexus Enform and Toyota Entune systems.

For vehicles without navigation, Lexus and Toyota will offer a premium display audio system complete with free traffic maps and weather information, all delivered by HD Radio stations across the country. 

Why use the HD Radio system for traffic and weather?
The digital broadcast system is easy to use and extremely efficient, it is faster and able to broadcast, receive and display far more information and data than other systems.  For consumers, it is a subscription-free traffic and weather information service.  There are no data plans or monthly subscriptions to worry about.

Jeff Jury, Chief Operating Officer of iBiquity Digital said, "Toyota's new system using HD Radio broadcasts will revolutionize the way that traffic and weather data is delivered into the vehicle.  A majority of automakers have now integrated HD Radio audio features, and Toyota and Lexus are leading the industry by integrating digital traffic and weather features."

"At Lexus and Toyota we strive for partnerships that bring the most advanced connected vehicle technologies to our customers at a great value," said Sandy Lobenstein, Corporate Manager, Product Planning at Toyota Motor Sales.  "As a result of our partnership with iBiquity, our owners will be the first in the industry to have access to subscription-free real-time traffic and weather data on multimedia systems across our vehicle lineup."

TTN has built a nationwide network using its own radio stations and the HD Radio system to broadcast real-time traffic and data information.  TTN has been selected by Lexus and Toyota to provide the real-time digital traffic and weather information driving the integrated HD Radio system.

HD Radio Technology is the digital evolution of AM and FM radio and delivers significant benefits for Lexus and Toyota drivers: crystal-clear sound quality; additional digital only local FM channels known as HD2/HD3 Channels; PSD - Program Service Data, which displays song title and artist name on the radio screen; iTunes Tagging allows listeners to store song information with the touch of a button for later purchase and download through iTunes; Artist Experience which enables images that match the audio content to be displayed on the radio screen; and now, subscription-free traffic and data information sent directly to a vehicle's radio or navigation system.  HD Radio Technology is subscription free broadcast radio.

HD Radio Technology is available nationwide, with more than 2,150 digital stations on-air, and over 1,400 HD2/HD3 digital only channels that broadcast fresh new content that can only be heard with an HD Radio receiver. A sampling of the formats on these extra channels, which vary in different markets around the country, include Dance/Electronica, Bluegrass Country, Comedy, Local Music, Chill/Coffee Shop Music, South Asian, Talk, News, and Sports, to name just a few.

29 automakers have now publicly announced plans to incorporate HD Radio Technology in 150+ models by year-end with more than 70 models featuring HD Radio receivers as standard equipment. 

HD Radio Technology will debut in the Lexus and Toyota line-up starting in the summer of 2013.  Keep watching for more information at www.toyota.com, www.lexus.com and www.hdradio.com.

About iBiquity Digital Corporation
iBiquity Digital Corporation is the developer of HD Radio™ Technology, which is fueling the digital radio revolution in the United States and around the world. The digital technology enables broadcasters to offer new and unique FM content via HD2/HD3 channels, crystal-clear sound and data services on both the AM and FM bands – all free, with no subscription fee. Leading broadcasters, consumer electronics manufacturers, automakers and retailers are committed to HD Radio Technology. iBiquity Digital is a privately held company with operations in Columbia, MD, Auburn Hills, MI, and Piscataway, NJ. For more information, please visit http://www.hdradio.com and http://www.ibiquity.com.

About Total Traffic Network: 
Total Traffic Network, a subsidiary of Clear Channel Media and Entertainment, delivers real-time traffic data to over 3,000 radio and 200 television affiliates, as well as its internet and mobile partnerships, reaching more than 200 million consumers each week. Total Traffic Network services over 100 markets in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Total Traffic Network operates the largest broadcast traffic navigation network in North America, providing RDS-TMC, enhanced HD-TMC and TPEG services.  Total Traffic Network has expanded its infotainment offerings to include news, weather and sports content. For more information, please visit www.totaltraffic.com.

Note to editors: HD Radio™ and the "HD Radio" logo are proprietary trademarks of iBiquity Digital Corp. The "HD" in HD Radio™ is part of iBiquity Digital's brand name for its advanced digital AM/FM system. It does not mean hybrid digital or high-definition digital; both of these are incorrect.

SOURCE iBiquity Digital Corporation