New Siemens VDO Automotive Software Architecture Integrates Personal Digital Assistants into the Automobile

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., April 29 -- Siemens VDO Automotive demonstrated how its new Top Level Architecture (TLA) enables the integration of high-powered computing capabilities of modern Personal Digital Assistants (PDA) into the automobile infotainment landscape at CeBIT 2003 in Hanover, Germany. This innovative software architecture now allows high- performance infotainment solutions to be cost-effectively developed, even for small-volume series applications.

The increasingly popular PDA has functions and features consumers find useful while traveling, such as accessing addresses and telephone numbers and schedule planning. However, the PDA is not currently employed as a driver information solution and is, at best, an imperfect alternative to a permanently installed navigation system. As seen at CeBIT 2003, Siemens VDO Automotive's TLA connects a PDA-based navigation system with the vehicle's instruments, controls and loudspeakers to provide high-performance navigation, even in economy-class vehicle platforms.

Siemens VDO Automotive's TLA is the foundation for the integration of portable consumer electronics technology like the PDA into the vehicle. This open, Java-based software was created to meet the need for an infotainment product architecture which allows different applications to be integrated into vehicle infotainment systems according to evolving manufacturer or driver specifications.

By simply installing TLA and the appropriate navigation software onto a PDA, it can receive the relevant vehicle system data from the vehicle bus using the Bluetooth wireless information transfer protocol, linking the mobile telephone using the same technology.

Once installed on the PDA, TLA enables the driver to receive visual route navigation information on the vehicle's central cockpit and radio displays. Audio prompts, such as "Please turn right now," are issued from the speaker system. Requested routes are calculated by on-board CD-ROM or DVD databases or are downloaded through a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) or Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) link from a remote navigation information source. In addition, navigation system operation is not dependent on the PDA's human-machine interface (HMI). Drivers can comfortably enter destinations using the vehicle's existing familiar, ergonomically arranged radio or steering wheel controls.

Existing expansion solutions will give the PDA access to an increasing amount of vehicle information such as acceleration and current speed data, assuring reliable and accurate navigation when the vehicle is unable to receive GPS data.

Siemens VDO Automotive continues to strive for wider use of navigation and telematics systems across all levels of vehicle makes and models. TLA helps the company realize this goal by increasing the cost effectiveness of infotainment solutions.

Siemens VDO Automotive is a tier-one supplier of automotive electronic/electrical systems and components with applications covering gasoline and diesel powertrain technologies, safety and chassis systems, body electronics, plus interior products including infotainment systems. Worldwide sales reflecting fiscal year 2001/2002 totaled $8.5 billion. For more information: www.usa.siemensvdo.com .

Siemens AG , headquartered in Munich, is a leading global electronics and engineering company. Siemens and its subsidiaries employ 426,000 people in 192 countries and reported worldwide sales of $77.8 billion in fiscal 2002 (10/1/01 - 9/30/02).

The United States is Siemens' largest market in the world, with 14 of Siemens' worldwide businesses headquartered here and annual sales of $21.5 billion in fiscal 2002. The Siemens companies in the U.S. employ approximately 70,000 people in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Corporate headquarters for Siemens' U.S. businesses are located in New York City. For more information: www.usa.siemens.com .

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