Siemens VDO Automotive Teaches the Automobile to Read

DETROIT--Oct. 18, 2004--Siemens VDO Automotive is demonstrating its EasyControl driver information technology, which is making the automobile literate, at Convergence 2004 being held at Cobo Center in Detroit, Oct. 18, 2004-20. The company is improving the driver information man-machine interface (MMI) with this innovative input system that integrates a round touch pad into a tactical feedback knob surface. Through the touchpad, the driver's handwriting is recognized and converted into vehicle audio, navigation and temperature system commands.

"The touchpad employs handwriting recognition software to identify what is written by the driver's finger," said Siemens VDO Automotive President and CEO John Sanderson. "The input then is compared with characters stored in the driver information system's memory and the interpreted commands are passed on to the appropriate functions."

The feedback knob/touchpad combination and pre-assigned or freely programmable function buttons are positioned in the center console next to the driver's seat for convenient use and reduced distraction. Only vital and frequently accessed driver information functions are assigned feedback knob buttons, allowing specific applications, such as the navigation system or the radio, to be directly engaged and with the ability to easily move between features.

"For example, the driver presses a button on the feedback knob to activate the navigation system," said Sanderson. "The EasyControl system audibly states the command, as the driver calls up the corresponding function location in the control menu. Instead of using a turn-push knob to enter letters on the display, the driver simply writes individual characters or entire syllables on a touchpad with a finger. Again, the system reads character entries out loud, so the need to look at the display is reduced."

Drivers will be able to customize how they work with the touchpad, even specifying individual characters as alternatives to the function keys. For example, a driver may wish to draw a musical note on the touchpad to reach the audio features. Accessing driver information function and features using customized characters in this fashion also can act as a way to password protect the system. As an additional convenience, drivers can use the systems voice output software to have incoming messages, such as e-mails, read aloud.

Modern drivers are being required to process increasing amounts of information. When glancing at a vehicle's central display while traveling 60 mph, approximately 100 feet is traversed before focus is regained on the road ahead. The EasyControl MMI was developed by Siemens VDO Automotive to significantly shorten the time a driver's eyes are off the road.

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 2002/2003 totaled $9.5 billion (EUR 8.375 billion). For more information: www.usa.siemensvdo.com.

Siemens AG is one of the largest global electronics and engineering companies with reported worldwide sales of $80.5 billion in fiscal 2003. Founded more than 150 years ago, the company is a leader in the areas of Automation and Control, Information and Communications, Lighting, Medical, Power and Transportation.

With its U.S. corporate headquarters in New York City, Siemens in the USA has sales of $16.6 billion and employs 70,000 people throughout all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Eleven of Siemens' worldwide businesses are based in the United States. With its global headquarters in Munich, Siemens AG and its subsidiaries employ 423,000 people in 192 countries. For more information on Siemens in the U.S.: www.usa.siemens.com.

Editor's Note: High-resolution artwork of the Siemens VDO Automotive EasyControl innovation can be downloaded from the company's online media center at www.usa.siemensvdo.com/media.htm.