Lexus drivers will no longer have to sift through an 800-page manual to learn how to use the various advanced technologies in their car.

By using a user-friendly app called Lexus Now, drivers gain access to personalized how-to guides.

By using big data through Toyota’s API, car features, and images, the how-to guides are matched to each vehicle, so drivers see their exact car, down to the interior color.

These guides support drivers across multiple functions— from how to connect to the car’s Bluetooth, to using their navigation system, to operating Voice Command.

Using animated GIFs, interactive media, and video, the guides help Lexus owners, from the basic to most advanced technology users, to understand and use their vehicle's technology.

Lastly, Lexus Now has built in analytics to ensure Lexus continues to identify the best opportunities for improving the technology experience for drivers of its luxury cars.

Drivers will discover Lexus Now in 2016 during their dealer delivery induction and through search engines. Initially in collaboration with a new owner, the dealer uses the app to create a personalized vehicle induction and walks through, step-by-step, how to navigate the app. The new owner is able to select favorite topics and points of interest.

Once the driver prioritizes their induction with the dealer, both will sit in the new car and leverage Lexus Now to learn how to use the curated list of technology the driver wants to cover.

The web app is saved directly onto the home screen of the driver’s smartphone, so it is readily available during the first few weeks of driving their new car.

The app content is searchable through the most popular search engines and Customer Service is able to share direct links to guides during calls and to questions posed on social media.

The continuing development of the Lexus Now app uses structured feedback from new Lexus owners and the language of the app will be reviewed to optimize within-car functionality. Ongoing development will be based on recurrent testing of usage patterns, dealer feedback, market demand predictions and scanning of technology. developments.

Lexus Now equips dealers with a tool that transforms an onboarding process perceived as tedious and overwhelming, to one that is effortless and effective. It is setting a new benchmark for how a consumer experiences new car technology, further driving loyalty and trust in the overall brand relationship.

Lexus Now went from an idea to a working prototype for one model over 12 weeks to support the full fleet within six months.

The app was originally designed to support the dealer delivery team and their 300,000 US Lexus owners each year. Utilization has now been broadened to support the Lexus call centers and dealer customer service. The decision to scale up usage was based on the high caliber experience created by early design work.

In 2017, Toyota will adapt Lexus Now technology for the 2.5 million of new Toyota owners across the US.

Using best practice approaches to technology, and customer engagement, the Lexus Now app has exceeded the expectations outlined within the design brief and has created a stimulus for market leadership in customer focus and vehicle orientation.