Toshiba to form IoT alliance with SoftBank, KDDI and others

Platform aims to spur innovation at Japanese companies struggling to keep up

An elderly resident looks to a Pepper robot during a presentation at the August-Stunz-Altenzentrum senior care facility in Frankfurt, Germany. SoftBank is among 100 companies joining hands to create new consumer services through the internet of things. © Getty Images

YOICHIRO HIROI, Nikkei staff writer

November 5, 2019 05:33 JST

Updated on November 5, 2019 11:50 JST

TOKYO -- Japanese electronics conglomerate Toshiba will launch an "internet of things" platform next spring that will include companies like SoftBank Group, wireless carrier KDDI and utility Tokyo Gas.

Toshiba will create an association of roughly 100 Japanese companies called ifLink Open Community, the company announced on Tuesday. The group will be established by the end of March.