Delphi's Communiport(R): Technology for Tomorrow, Today Demonstrated at Frankfurt Auto Show
15 September 1999
Delphi's Communiport(R): Technology for Tomorrow, Today Demonstrated at Frankfurt Auto Show FRANKFURT, Germany, Sept. 15 -- Delphi Automotive Systems'
commitment to increase drive-time productivity and to bring more
information, communication and entertainment content into vehicles is
demonstrated by its Communiport(R) Mobile MultiMedia (MMM) product line
exhibited at the Frankfurt International Motor Show.
Communiport is the name of a host of revolutionary integrated
communication and entertainment systems tailored for individual vehicle
manufacturers.
"With Communiport, we can custom deliver the features and functions to
suit individual vehicle manufacturers," said Dave Wohleen, president of Delphi
Delco Electronics Systems. "Extensive experience in reception systems,
instrumentation and displays, audio, human-machine interface, and vehicle
systems integration gives us a strategic advantage in successfully
incorporating these advanced multimedia systems into vehicles."
"Growing consumer demand for these products is being driven by the desire
to have more convenience, connectivity and entertainment options while
driving," said Wohleen. "These factors, coupled with the affordability of
powerful microprocessors and advances in wireless communications, flat panel
displays and voice processing, make these products very attractive."
The product line features advanced technologies that bring together audio
functions based on Digital Signal Processing (DSP), open computing platforms
and wireless communication. In addition, the product line includes full-map,
on-board turn-by-turn navigation and vehicle audio with hands-free voice
activation and text-to-speech response systems.
Communiport's infrared data interface enables information to be easily
transferred to and from a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) or Handheld
Personal Computer (HPC). In addition, the system will also adopt Bluetooth
wireless interfaces enabling system interaction and coordination with
virtually every make of PDA, HPC, cellular phone and other portable electronic
devices.
Innovative in-dash, center console head units feature flat-panel, color-
reconfigurable displays, intuitive speech technology, and reconfigurable
"soft" keys. Head units are configured in single, double and triple DIN-sized
modules. Communiport can also operate a head-up display which projects
critical vehicle safety and navigation information on the windshield, just
below the driver's line of sight.
Communiport computing platforms are powered by open operating systems and
application program interfaces such as Microsoft Windows CE(R) and Java(TM) by
Sun Microsystems. A Communiport center console unit was featured on
Cadillac's Evoq concept vehicle introduced earlier this year.
Delphi's Communiport product portfolio also includes integrated antenna
electronics, advanced playbacks such as CD-ROM, DVD, and MP3, and high-speed
data busses to provide seamless on-board communications.
Through wireless infrastructure and content service providers, Communiport
Systems enable pager messages and electronic mail to be sent and received, and
real-time news bulletins, stock quotes and other critical business information
to be downloaded from the internet using Wireless Application Protocol (WAP)
web browsing.
Integration of this on-board content with off-board information and safety
services provides travel directions, stolen vehicle location, remote door
unlock capability, and instant mayday/airbag deployment notification.
DELPHI'S MMM SYSTEM INTEGRATES ADVANCED TELEMATICS, ENTERTAINMENT
AND COMPUTING IN COMMON, OPEN ARCHITECTURE
Three breakthrough technologies that are going to revolutionize vehicle
on-board communication, entertainment and information in the 21st century have
been brought together by Delphi Automotive Systems in a totally integrated
Mobile MultiMedia (MMM) system.
Aiming to lead the industry in advanced MMM technologies, the latest
additions to Delphi's new Communiport MMM product line are being introduced to
the automotive environment at the Frankfurt International Motor Show. They
are:
* MP3 music playback capability, one of the fastest growing electronic
entertainment mediums in history;
* Mobile Internet browsing with email and text downloading using a new
Wireless Application Protocol and Wireless Mark-up Language; and
* Bluetooth universal connectivity, which allows hands-free, on-board
operation of portable cell phones and other similar devices based on the new
standardized Bluetooth wireless interface technology.
"The integration of these technologies demonstrates Delphi's commitment to
innovation as a global supplier of Mobile MultiMedia solutions, as well as
taking the lead in ending the electronic 'tower of babble' by adopting common
open standards and interfaces," said J.T. Battenberg III, Delphi chairman,
chief executive officer and president.
"This will result in lower costs, convenience and satisfaction for the
vehicle builders and ultimately the consumer by providing interchangeability,
flexibility, and improved reliability and cycle times," he said.
Communiport, which integrates a host of communication, entertainment and
information systems, "answers the growing consumer demand for more
convenience, connectivity, productivity and entertainment options while
driving," said Wohleen.
"MMM is going to revolutionize the customer experience in the automobile
by providing much of the information, entertainment and communication
capabilities people now have in their home or office," said Jeffrey J. Owens,
general director of engineering at Delphi Delco Electronics Systems.
For example, said Owens, "MP3 is already revolutionizing home
entertainment -- more than one million players will be sold by the end of this
year alone -- and consumers are going to insist that it be available in their
automobiles. Delphi intends to be a world leader in applying MP3 to passenger
vehicles.
"By the same token, motorists want the convenience of on-board Internet
browsing and the ability to download their e-mail and text files," he
continued. "With the WAP protocol, Delphi opens up new possibilities by
giving them that accessibility." The Communiport product line features
advanced technologies that bring together audio functions based upon Digital
Signal Processing (DSP), open computing platforms and wireless communication.
Delphi also is introducing a number of new cost-effective near-term
products, which are displayed in a demonstration minivan at the Motor Show.
They include:
* An affordable double-DIN Communiport Radio Navigator System. This
system integrates complete full-function color map-based navigation with
radio, CD-ROM and audio playback. It features a 5.8-inch display and six
reconfigurable control buttons in a highly integrated system that can be very
competitively priced.
* Delphi's new aftermarket rear-seat audio/video system. The system has
a 7-inch full-color screen, game station, Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) player
and power supply so any consumer electronics products -- CD, VCR, DVD, MP3
player -- can be used in the car.
DELPHI UNVEILS ONBOARD MP3 MUSIC PLAYBACK CAPABILITY
In response to what is perhaps the most revolutionary trend in music
history, Delphi Automotive Systems demonstrated one of the automotive
industry's first MP3 audio playback original equipment applications at the
show.
Delphi leads the industry by offering MP3 playback, which is the latest
addition to its expanding Communiport Mobile MultiMedia (MMM) product line.
Communiport offers a host of integrated communication and entertainment
systems tailored for individual vehicle manufacturers.
The Delphi MP3 playback device demonstrated in Frankfurt is integrated
into a Communiport navigation and audio system mounted into a passenger car
center console. Presence of the MP3 unit is only detectable by a small
vertical port for insertion of a compact flash memory card.
According to Wohleen, Delphi's MP3 demonstration shows that original
equipment applications are right around the corner.
"MP3 is becoming an important medium ... it's absolutely revolutionizing
the music business," Wohleen said, "and we're getting a great deal of interest
from automakers on our MP3 playback application development."
"You can expect to see the first Communiport MP3 playback vehicle
application within the next year," he continued. "The explosion of MP3 is
simply changing the way music is stored and distributed ... and it's our job
to make sure vehicle builders can react to these trends, no matter how quickly
they develop."
MP3 -- which is short for the audio part (layer3) of the MPEG (Motion
Picture Experts Group) specification -- is an audio compression standard that
emerged little more than a year ago and has been a growing Internet rage ever
since. It enables digital audio music files to be compressed by a factor of
ten without compromising sound quality.
With MP3 encoders, many music lovers are now "ripping" (compressing) music
off standard music CDs, converting it into MP3 computer files for their
personal use, then copying the files onto writeable CDs or compact flash
memory cards. This enables storage of 10 to 12 times more music on a CD-ROM
than on a conventional CD.
MP3 websites are among the most popular on the Internet today, mostly
drawing enthusiasts in the 18 to 35 year-old range, according to Dr. Robert W.
Schumacher, director of the Delphi Delco Electronics Systems' Mobile
MultiMedia Business Group.
Primary research from MP3.com, a popular Internet site, shows that
visitors to MP3 websites are five times more likely to have purchased a new
vehicle in the last 24 months. "As MP3 playback capability gains in
popularity, we are excited about taking the steps to put this revolutionary
technology into vehicles," said Schumacher.
Schumacher said Delphi is addressing all forms for the playback of MP3
audio files onboard cars and trucks.
These files can be played back four different ways on vehicles: via flash
memory, disk drive, CD-ROM and direct wireless download from the Internet or
from service centers. We have the capabilities to integrate all of them.
"Flash memory cards can go up to 64 megabytes today, which is about 60 minutes
of music, but their density is going up and the cost is coming down very
fast," Schumacher said.
"We're not far from the day that you can download an MP3 file wirelessly
from the Internet or from broadcast media, copy it to a flash card or disk
drive and enjoy it ... all while you're driving to work," he said.
DELPHI DEMONSTRATES TECHNOLOGY THAT
ALLOWS FAST, CONVENIENT VEHICLE ACCESS TO INTERNET
Delphi Automotive Systems demonstrated mobile internet browsing using the
Wireless Application Protocol (WAP), an enabler to convenient, efficient
internet access from cars and trucks.
Delphi's display and demonstration of the WAP capability at the Frankfurt
International Motor Show is among the first of its kind in the automotive
industry and represents yet another advancement in the company's Communiport
Mobile MultiMedia (MMM) offering.
WAP is an open, global specification that empowers mobile Internet users
with wireless devices to easily access and interact with web sites instantly.
Since HTML, the hypertext language of the Internet, is not appropriate for
use with wireless mobile applications, a WAP browser with wireless markup
language (WML) is used on telematics applications. The WAP browser with
markup language is designed to accommodate applications with smaller, more
limited displays like cell phones.
Communiport's advanced human/machine interface capabilities bring faster
and more convenient Internet data downloads, according to Hasse Johansson,
director of Delphi Delco Electronic Systems' Mobile MultiMedia Systems in
Europe. "WAP with WML condenses Internet data so that it can be efficiently
presented on mobile devices with small displays, like mobile phones."
Johansson said, "Communiport offers a larger color display as well as
voice activation and text synthesis for audio read back. When the two are
combined, you have an Internet access capability that's fast and virtually
hands-free.
"It's Delphi's way of conveniently and usefully accessing Internet data in
an automotive application. We are leaders with this technology because we're
developing a dedicated OE WAP browser application."
Johansson envisions the day when Internet access from a car or truck is as
easy as a verbal command to the Communiport system.
"Communiport is capable of becoming an onboard newsreader of Internet
information to vehicle passengers," he said.
According to Johansson, Communiport vehicle applications with WAP browser
capabilities will appear within the next two years, probably in Europe
initially. However, such applications are not expected to be limited to
luxury vehicles.
"Virtually everybody will be dependent on vehicle access to the Internet
in the future," he explained, "regardless of the vehicle they drive."
DELPHI CONDUCTS FIRST BLUETOOTH
AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY DEMONSTRATION
Delphi Automotive Systems literally sent a strong message in support of
open, common interfaces and standards by using Bluetooth technology to
practically demonstrate the capabilities of its Communiport Mobile MultiMedia
System. Using its Communiport MMM system and a Bluetooth cell phone, Delphi
demonstrated a totally new way of using a wireless digital mobile telephone
hands-free.
The demonstration -- conducted at the Frankfurt International Motor Show
-- provided a glimpse into the not-so-distant future when a driver will keep a
cellular phone in a coat pocket and still uses it to place a call. The driver
dials the telephone by voice through the onboard MMM system and the Bluetoooth
link.
Much like the famous Danish King (Bluetooth) who unified Viking kingdoms
under one crown during the tenth century, "Bluetooth technology has the
potential to standardize the mobile electronics industry through the use of
common protocol and standards," said Johansson. "We are excited to lead the
way with these innovative technologies and proud to be among the first to
demonstrate the benefit of these technologies for consumers."
The demonstration illustrated how the Communiport system can recognize a
digital cellular phone when the units are within 10 meters of each other.
Once the phone is recognized the driver can dial it via voice command through
Communiport thanks to the Bluetooth interface. According to Johansson, the
greatest benefits of the technology are convenience and flexibility.
"This clearly enables the first step in open wireless networking and the
resulting hands-free operation of various and different mobile communications
devices in cars and trucks," he said. "The day isn't far away where
miscellaneous branded devices like phones and handheld computers can
communicate with a vehicle's MMM system without cable or other mechanical
interfaces.
"That means improved safety for the driver, and it means freedom for
consumers to choose whatever brand or type of device they want without being
penalized due to it not communicating within a vehicle's MMM system.
"This is a great example of why Delphi is such an advocate of open
architecture systems and common connectivity initiatives."
Johansson said future Communiport applications will enable audio and voice
control interfaces between dissimilar branded devices thanks to Bluetooth, and
that the first high-volume OEM Communiport system outfitted with Bluetooth
technology is very near-term.
The Bluetooth interface technology is the product of a multi-industry
global wireless communications initiative advocating common wireless
connectivity. The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) -- headed by
industry leaders such as Ericsson, IBM, Intel, Nokia, and Toshiba -- now has a
membership of more than 200 companies, including Delphi.
Bluetooth technology -- which is based on the concept of electronic
devices interacting with each other via a short-range radio signal --
eliminates the need for proprietary cables to connect devices, and will
increase the ease and breadth of wireless connectivity.
Bluetooth interfaces enable users to connect mobile computers, digital
cellular phones, handheld PCs, network access points and other mobile
technologies on a very high radio frequency (2.4 GHz) carrier that is
unimpeded by line-of-sight restrictions.
DELPHI SHOWCASES MOBILE MULTIMEDIA
PRODUCT OFFERINGS FOR OEM AND AFTERMARKET
Delphi Automotive Systems is showcasing two new, cost-effective Mobile
MultiMedia product offerings for original equipment and aftermarket vehicle
applications.
The products -- which are being displayed in the Delphi exhibit -- are all
representative of Delphi's growing presence in the rapidly growing Mobile
MultiMedia global market, according to Schumacher.
"We're talking about very high-value technologies that can be applied to
very near-term commercial programs," he said. "Advanced technology and
systems integration will help us lead the emerging Mobile MultiMedia market."
The following outlines Delphi's near-term offerings on display in
Frankfurt:
Double-DIN Communiport Radio Navigation System
Delphi has developed a production-ready radio navigator that can be put
into any standard double-DIN instrument panel. The system integrates a full-
function, color map-based navigation system with premium receiver, CD-ROM and
audio system. It features a 5.8-inch display and six reconfigurable control
buttons in a highly integrated system that can be very competitively priced.
Aftermarket Rear-Seat A/V System
Delphi's new aftermarket rear-seat audio/video system is expected to be
sold globally and will be available as early as next year.
It is a completely portable unit console that secures either to the floor
or to the center rear seat position via the seatbelt and plugs into a
cigarette lighter/power source with a standard adapter and incorporates a 7-
inch, full-color screen, game station, DVD player and power supply so consumer
electronics products -- CD, VCR, DVD, MP3 player -- can be used in the
vehicle.
Delphi Automotive Systems, with headquarters in Troy, Mich., USA, is a
world leader in automotive component and systems technology. Delphi's three
business sectors -- Dynamics & Propulsion; Safety, Thermal & Electrical
Architecture; and Electronics & Mobile Communications -- provide comprehensive
product solutions to complex customer needs. Delphi has approximately 201,000
employees and operates 168 wholly owned manufacturing sites, 38 joint
ventures, 51 customer centers and sales offices, and 27 technical centers in
37 countries. Regional headquarters are located in Paris, Tokyo and Sao
Paulo. Delphi can be found on the Internet at http://www.delphiauto.com
Sun Microsystems and Java are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun
Microsystems, Inc. in the United States and other countries.
ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES FACT SHEET
COMMUNIPORT
NEWS -- Delphi Automotive Systems offers an advanced mobile multimedia
product line under the Communiport brand name. With Communiport, Delphi
features custom-designed, integrated entertainment and communications systems
for individual vehicle manufacturers.
OPERATION & BENEFITS
Communiport Product Line
* Communiport Systems are tailored for vehicle OEMs to meet
individual requirements.
* Integrates AM/FM/RDS receiver modules with computing functions.
* Will adopt Bluetooth, a wireless interface standard enabling
communication and coordination with virtually any make of personal
computing/communication devices.
* Features full map on-board turn-by-turn navigation.
* Hands-free voice activation and text-to-speech response systems.
* One, two and three DIN-sized head units.
* Center Console, flat-panel color reconfigurable displays.
* Intuitive speech technology.
* Reconfigurable "soft" keys.
* Communiport systems can operate head-up-displays.
* Operated by open-operating systems such as Sun Microsystems'
JAVA(TM) or Microsoft Windows CE(R).
* Integrated antenna electronics.
* Internet access via Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) browsing
enabling fast, hands-free access to the worldwide web.
* Advanced playbacks such as CD-ROM, DVD and MP3.
* Ultra-high speed optical fiber bus for Multimedia systems.
* Multimedia systems that support multiple bus standards such as USB,
IDB, CAN, J1850, D2B AND MOST.
* Transfer information from Personal Data Assistant and or Handheld
Personal computer through infrared data interface.
