Human Factors Expert Joins CAA Inc.; CAA Inc. Announces James P. Foley, Ph.D. as the Newly Appointed Director of Human Factors

    SOUTHFIELD, Mich.--Aug. 17, 2001--CAA Inc., one of the leading developers and suppliers of state-of-the-art software for Driver Information Systems, is pleased to announce the appointment of James P. Foley, Ph.D. to the position of Director of Human Factors.
    Dr. Foley's role within the U.S. subsidiary of Germany-based CAA AG is to further the parent company's efforts in the field of human machine interfaces, essential to the successful development of Driver Information Systems for the U.S. market.
    Dr. Foley's professional background includes two years' experience at Visteon Corporation as Human Machine Interfaces (HMI) Technical Specialist for advanced technologies, including on-board navigation, telematics applications, and integrated systems. Prior to his career at Visteon, Dr. Foley was employed for eight years as Human Factors Engineer with Ford Motor Company, where he successfully developed HMI for automotive navigation systems, worked on automotive safety issues, and assisted in developing a corporate policy on use of Intelligent Transportation Systems devices while driving.
    In addition to having earned a Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering (Human Factors) from Purdue University, Dr. Foley is the recipient of several Awards from Ford Motor Company, including recognition for his work on The Human-Machine Interface Rapid Prototyping Team, 1999, and the Ford Customer Driven Award (1992) for the first application of air bags in over-8500 GVW trucks.
    As an author of various technical articles, James Foley has contributed several recent papers such as 'Visual Attention Design Limits for ITS In-Vehicle Systems', published in the 2000 Transportation Research Board 79th Annual Meeting, Washington D.C. As well as 'Properties and Prioritization of Driver Interface Design', published in 1998 Vehicle INFOTRONICS: (Convergence) SAE.
    Dr. Foley has led the efforts of the SAE ITS Safety & Human Factors Committee to define reasonable limits on the additional demand that new technologies, such as navigation systems, should place on the driver. He is also a U.S. Expert on ISO TC22/SC13/WG8 Man-Machine Interfaces for Transport Information and Communication Systems.
    Dr. Foley's extensive knowledge and experience in the field of HMI make him the ideal candidate to lead the Human Factors department of CAA Inc. in the successful development of interface designs for prototypes and line series production for U.S.-based automotive manufacturers. Dr. Foley states, "I am greatly impressed with the innovative technology currently being developed by CAA AG. Their software for Driver Information Systems is extremely successful in Europe, and I look forward to bringing this same expertise to the U.S. market."

    About CAA AG

    CAA AG, headquartered in Filderstadt near Stuttgart, Germany, specializes in developing integrated driver information and communication systems based on the company's own software platform. CAA is one of the leading corporations in the development of such state-of-the-art in-vehicle multimedia communication centers. Throughout the development process, special attention is paid to the systems' design and operability.
    The primary focus at CAA is on mobile communication in vehicles. CAA links functionalities (radio, telephone, CD player, navigation system) to a central driver information system. Particular emphasis is placed on developing new services such as Internet and e-mail access, dynamic route guidance and office applications.
    Numerous renowned international car manufacturers are already taking advantage of CAA AG's expertise in future driving innovations for the mass production of vehicles with integrated communication systems. Some of the company's key automotive customers include Audi, BMW, DaimlerChrysler, Honda and Rolls Royce.
    CAA AG has recently established a US subsidiary in Southfield, Michigan. CAA Inc. is an important step towards creating an international network of branches, with which the company intends to swiftly increase its market share for in-vehicle information and communication systems.

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