AMI-C and OSGi Align Specifications for Automotive Services; Common Standard Will Benefit Consumers and Software Developers

    DETROIT & SAN RAMON, Calif.--July 23, 2002--The Automotive Multimedia Interface Collaboration (AMI-C) announced today that it is incorporating the Open Services Gateway Initiative (OSGi) technology specification as the underlying framework for its software platform for mobile information and entertainment systems.
    In combination, the AMI-C and OSGi framework will provide one common software platform and open the marketplace for multiple vendors in the wireless automotive applications space. For the end consumer, the common platform will provide a wider selection of software applications.
    According to AMI-C Chief Software Architect Dr. Edward Nelson, the OSGi framework meets AMI-C's requirements and will allow for the remote management of software inside the vehicle. This will allow service providers to assist vehicle owners with the configuration and upgrade of software remotely.
    "Remote management is important," Nelson said. "This capability will allow vehicle owners to easily add common software applications for navigation, traffic information, diagnostics and other services to their vehicles without needing to be computer experts."
    "OSGi is delighted that the results of our work with AMI-C since early 2000 have been adopted as the underlying framework of the AMI-C software platform for mobile information and entertainment solutions," said Dr. John R. Barr, President of OSGi and Director of Standards Realization for Motorola. "We're looking forward to a long relationship with AMI-C and the automotive industry. This is only the beginning."
    Within the AMI-C software architecture, the OSGi framework serves as the common platform, providing core capabilities that applications can make use of. The AMI-C layer, which allows developers to write software applications specifically for in-vehicle use, is being built on top of the OSGi framework.
    "OSGi and AMI-C are the leading standards for the wireless automotive services market. This collaboration will now provide service developers a single target for this market, resulting in a much larger pool of applications and services for service providers and consumers," said Staffan Truve, VP of Marketing for OSGi, and CEO of Gatespace, headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden.
    "Use of the OSGi framework is also attractive to automakers because it is common to other industries," said AMI-C Program Manager Pom Malhotra.
    Integration of the OSGi framework by AMI-C should be completed by the fall of this year.

    Learn More at OSGi World Congress

    AMI-C will outline how the OSGi framework integrates into the AMI-C software architecture and how AMI-C and OSGi specifications complement each other at OSGi World Congress Sept. 24-27, 2002. The forum will be held at the Radisson SAS Royal Viking Hotel in Stockholm, Sweden. For registration information and the full schedule of events, go to http://www.osgi.org/.

    About AMI-C

    AMI-C is a global organization representing the majority of the world's vehicle production. AMI-C is developing and standardizing a common automotive multimedia and telematics interface for vehicle communication networks. For more information, visit www.ami-c.org.

    About OSGi

    The Open Services Gateway Initiative (OSGi), established in 1999, is an independent, non-profit corporation. OSGi provides the only vendor-neutral, multiply-sourced specification in the industry to deliver and manage an application or service through a network that runs locally on a remote device. OSGi also works to proliferate these open specifications through the sponsorship of technology, market, and user education programs. OSGi is a global, cross-industry consortium.
    Membership is open to any interested party, including Internet Service Providers, Network Operators, Original Equipment Manufacturers, Independent Software Vendors, end users, academic institutions, government agencies, and non-profit organizations. The consortium's web site is www.osgi.org.