Delphi First in North America with OEM Telematics to Provide Real-Time Traffic for Dynamic Route Guidance

Delphi's innovation will make telematics services more affordable for vehicles in all segments

DETROIT, Oct. 15 -- Delphi Corp. has brought to market a new digital data decoder to help enable the first OEM application for real-time traffic services in North America.

The patented Delphi digital data decoder offers a low-cost, reliable, broader coverage alternative to cellular network-based telematics services.

"We are continuing to stretch the technology limits to find ways of offering greater value to our customers," said Jeff Owens, president of Delphi Electronics & Safety. "This is a great example of providing an intelligent product that uses existing building blocks and innovation to meet customer specifications."

The Delphi data decoder works in conjunction with satellite radio and is a derivative of Delphi's satellite radio receiver. The new innovation adds new information and data service capability through a special satellite radio receiver data port. Vehicles equipped with the technology and a navigation system can display real-time traffic, and other information while playing satellite radio. The system is also capable of giving real-time weather, sports scores and stock updates.

As part of North America's first OEM next generation navigation system to reach the market, the Delphi digital data decoder's high-performance multimedia computing platform enables the vehicle's navigation system to display current traffic information for a driver's chosen route and calculate the route for a minimum commute time on the navigation display. The system graphically displays stopped traffic, traffic jams, accidents, closed roads, narrow lanes, road alerts and road conditions.

"Our new Delphi data decoder provides vehicle makers a new way to bring valuable real-time telematics services into the vehicle," said Bob Schumacher, general director of Wireless Products and Mobile MultiMedia at Delphi Electronics & Safety. "This product has the potential to change the telematics landscape by substantially bringing down the cost and spreading the services across more vehicles."

The Delphi digital data recorder is built on an existing satellite radio foundation to save on costs. The system also allows for short design cycles to continuously update new features. Since drivers frequently use entertainment and navigation in vehicles, the system is expected to get much wider usage than other cellular telematics systems designed only for emergency uses and security.

In addition, the data decoder can serve to help build dealership/customer relationships and could create new revenue streams for dealers by sending timely service reminders and other information to specific customers and markets.

Delphi helped pioneer bringing telematics services to the U.S. market in 1996 by providing the driver interface modules for cellular-based telematics technology.

* Reception may be unavailable if the signal from the satellite is obstructed (e.g. the car is in a tunnel)

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