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The new automobile dream machine

By: Dan Keegan

Date: Tuesday, 10. November 2009

This writer has a personal vision for technology in his car of the future: a phone-size hand-held device with high-speed internet connectivity, GPS navigation, music storage, and computing capability built in; and a way to plug this into the car, accessing a larger built-in screen, the car's stereo speaker system, and voice recognition technology for hands-free use.

And while we're at it, why not mobile TV access as well, since this technology is already in the pipeline?

All the technologies to enable this vision are already available, but in different stages of development. Leaders of the diverse array of industries involved are busy working out the problems and challenges of design, implementation, partnering and marketing that could make the vision a reality most car owners could afford.

A major conference of these leaders will take place in Novi, Michigan, just outside of Detroit this month and, as a lead-up to the conference, a number of them were interviewed about their views on how things are shaping up.

Here's a selection of their comments:

"Convergence" was at the top of the list. Equipment manufacturers and automakers are realizing that to develop technologies such as navigation systems, information systems and entertainment systems separately would be both confusing and too expensive for the consumer, not to mention the manufacturers.

"Further convergence of the four Cs; Computer, Communication, Consumer Electronics, and Car, will make a world of Telematics 2.0 and will offer a higher level of 'rich user experiences' to create a new generation of the industry," said Tsuguo Nobe , General Manager of Nissan Motor Co Ltd.

Telematics is vaguely defined as the wireless transfer of information. Telematics 2.0 takes that wireless transfer to a higher level of organization in which the information is exchanged between systems to enable cooperation - for example, if your car's computer collects information from sensors and sends it to the manufacturer or the dealer who might then call you in for a service or part replacement.

Nobe's views were echoed by Dominique Bonte, Principal Analyst, Telematics and Navigation , ABI Research. "The three main trends will be convergence, openness and connectivity with those solutions combining all three aspects becoming most successful," Bonte said.

Clint Steiner , Senior Manager, OEM Sales, Garmin, crystallized this thinking. "The direction is centralizing on connecting customers' lifestyles to their vehicle, home, family and friends, Steiner said. "The in-vehicle experience will be an extension of this connected life style."

"The digital in-car and mobile industry is moving fast to allow connectivity of personal audio devices and portable navigation devices in the vehicle," said Tony Kraatz , OEM Account Manager, Alpine Electronics of America. "USB and Bluetooth are the two key technologies," Kraatz added.

In short, the car buyer of the future is going to want to be able to take their music, videos, and internet connections, into their vehicle with them as they move around, and they won't want to pay through the nose for the privilege.

Auto manufacturers and Original Equipment Manufacturers are taking note and organizing themselves to meet these consumer requirements.

"By the end of 2008 the majority of all vehicle manufacturers will have finalized their vehicle-centric information and communication technology strategies while current market leaders will accelerate the development of new innovations," says Thilo Koslowski , Vice President with Gartner, Inc and a leading industry analyst.

Koslowski reckons the focus in 2009 will be on "defining partnerships, roles and responsibilities for mobile- and internet-centric business models."

At the Detroit conference and similar venues around the world, the issues are being thrashed out, alliances formed, marketing plans devised. The vision is on its way and, for this writer, the sooner the better.

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