Airbiquity Introduces VIAaq Wireless Data Communications for Telematics and Enhanced Navigation Services
SEATTLE--Airbiquity, a company that develops wireless communication software solutions, today announced its introduction of VIAaq, a managed Telematics data service that makes it easy for automotive OEMs and Personal Navigation Device (PND) suppliers to custom-design vehicle-centric applications.
As its core communication protocol, the turnkey VIAaq service uses aqLink, Airbiquity’s end-to-end wireless data communications technology. VIAaq provides seamless connectivity between telematics service providers and a vehicle or PND device for a relatively low cost of entry.
By using VIAaq, OEMs and PND suppliers eliminate operations and maintenance costs associated with hosting or managing their own data center. Moreover, the new VIAaq managed service broadens their options when considering service providers. No longer are choices limited to only those providing data hosting.
“Telematics leaders will leverage collaboration with technology, service and content providers to create innovative and flexible Telematics solutions,” says Thilo Koslowski, Vice President and Automotive Practice Leader at Gartner, Inc. “The goal is to create service offerings that can be updated over time to address changing consumer preferences and to meet the business expectations of vehicle and consumer electronics manufacturers.”
There are over 233 million wireless subscribers in the U.S., and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that almost one million U.S. drivers are talking on cell phones at any given moment. Experts predict that 80 percent of cell phones will be Bluetooth enabled by 2009, and Bluetooth is becoming standard in cars and PND devices. Because VIAaq provides seamless data transport over Bluetooth, it can offer PND suppliers entry into the largest possible market for enhanced telematics services via cell phones in the vehicle.
“This is a natural step for Airbiquity as telematics services evolve. Experts predict that vendors in the crowded PND market will have to offer more than just navigation to survive,” said Kamyar Moinzadeh, Airbiquity’s president and CEO. “Our aim was to solve the problem of connecting the vehicle or PND device with telematics services. VIAaq is the answer.”
PND suppliers subscribing to the VIAaq service may offer any number of services to their customer base, including:
- Remote Diagnostics
- Emergency Calling (eCall)
- Enhanced Navigation
- Concierge Services
- Traffic Information
- Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Applications
- Other Telematics Services
Airbiquity is developing channel and content partner programs for the VIAaq service this year. Airbiquity is a Gold Sponsor for the 7th annual Telematics Detroit Conference and Exhibition, May 22-23, 2007, at the Rock Financial Showplace in Michigan, USA. They will be in Booth #47 on the exhibit floor. Airbiquity is a finalist in four categories of Telematics Awards, and winners will be announced May 22 at the Telematics Awards Dinner.
About Airbiquity
Airbiquity provides wireless communications solutions that enable product suppliers and service providers in the M2M and telematics industries to deliver wireless data reliably and ubiquitously. Used by some of the largest automotive manufacturers in their telematics service offerings, Airbiquity’s patented aqLink technology provides data communications over digital wireless voice networks. To learn more about Airbiquity, please visit their web site at www.airbiquity.com.