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Denso and Toshiba Jointly Develop World's First Multi OS Environment For Car Navigation Systems


Tokyo, Japan, Dec. 10, 2003 - (JCN Newswire) - Toshiba Corporation
and DENSO Corporation , a leading supplier of advanced
automotive systems, such as car navigation systems, today announced
joint development of world's first multi OS (operating system)
environment (software) for car navigation systems. The multi OS
environment provides single-chip support for both uITRON, the operating
system for embedded devices, and Microsoft(R) Windows(R) Automotive and
enables to use advanced automotive systems, provided byuITRON and
multi-media applications such as internet, provided by MicrosoftR
WindowsR Automotive concurrently.

The multi OS environment can be applied to the SoC (system on chip),
"NAVIEM" which is used for DENSO's car navigation systems. "NAVIEM",
which is jointly developed by DENSO and Toshiba, features Toshiba's TX49
embedded CPU.

Demonstration boards of multi-OS-based TX49 processor and DENSO's car
navigation system which incorporates the latest version of "NAVIEM",
operating on the multi OS environment, will be featured at the Tron Show
2004 from December 11-13, 2003 at the Tokyo International Forum in
Japan.

The TX49 core, based on the RISC architecture developed by MIPS
Technologies, Inc., provides full support for SoC, assuring the
flexibility required for integration of diverse applications and the
scalability required for the integration of wide-ranging functionality.
As a result, "NAVIEM" provide automotive designer engineers with the
freedom and ability to address diverse requirements with a single-chip
solution.

"We expect that this multi OS environment will be at a de facto standard
platform for car navigation systems and provide a plenty of benefits to
the car users" said Mitsuharu Kato, DENSO managing director in charge of
ITS product division.

"We recognize DENSO as a leader in high-performance interface technology
for in-car navigation system," said Toshinori Moriyasu, executive vice
president of Semiconductor Company at Toshiba Corporation. "Working
together, we have developed a solution that supports the key OS for
embedded applications in automobiles, and that facilitates rapid
development and deployment of cost-efficient navigation systems. We have
established a valuable partnership that will advance the introduction of
next-generation, high-performance car navigation systems to
the marketplace."

"We are excited to add DENSO and Toshiba to our list of partners in one
of the most advanced markets for in-vehicle devices in the world," said
Bob McKenzie, general manager of Microsoft's Automotive Business Unit.
"We look forward to helping DENSO and Toshiba develop next generation
in-vehicle devices that leverage the real-time automotive grade
performance and rich PC grade multi-media capabilities inherent in our
Windows Automotive platform."

"This design win by Toshiba extends the reach of the industry-standard
MIPS architecture into the fast-growing automotive infotainment
marketplace," said Jack Browne, vice president of worldwide sales at
MIPS Technologies, a leading provider of microprocessor cores and
architectures for the embedded industry. "Now consumers will have an
enhanced user experience through in-car automotive devices, such as
cockpit navigational displays and in-console DVD players, that take
advantage of high performance characteristics unique to the MIPS
architecture. Moving forward, we will continue to bring innovative
technologies to market, such as programmability and multi-threading
options to our architecture, to ensure customers can meet and exceed the
fast-changing requirements of numerous high-growth
embedded markets."


About DENSO Corporation

DENSO Corporation, headquartered in Kariya, Aichi prefecture, Japan, is
a leading global supplier of advanced technology, systems and
components. Its customers include all the world's major carmakers.
Worldwide, the company employs 90,000 people in 31 countries and
regions, including Japan. Consolidated global sales for the fiscal year
ended March 31, 2003 totaled US$19.4 billion. About Toshiba Corporation

Toshiba Corporation (US: TOSBF) (FTSE: TOS) is a leader in
the development and manufacture of electronic devices and components,
information and communication systems, consumer products and power
systems. The company's ability to integrate wide-ranging capabilities,
from hardware to software and innovative services, assure its position
as an innovator in diverse fields and many businesses. In
semiconductors, Toshiba continues to promote its leadership in the fast
growing system-on-chip market and to build on its world-class position
in NAND flash memories, analog devices and discrete devices. Toshiba has
approximately 166,000 employees worldwide and annual sales of over US$47
billion. For further information, please visit the Toshiba Corporation
home page at: www.toshiba.co.jp/index.htm
<http://www.toshiba.co.jp/index.htm> 



Dec. 10, 2003, 18:12 (JST)
Source: DENSO Corporation
Source: Source: DENSO Corporation
Toshiba Corporation
DENSO Corporation
www.globaldenso.com <http://www.globaldenso.com> 
Toshiba Corporation  (FTSE: TOS) 
www.toshiba.co.jp/index.htm <http://www.toshiba.co.jp/index.htm> 
From the Japan Corporate News Network
www.japancorp.net <http://www.japancorp.net> 
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