Mercedes-Benz and IBM to Develop Car Electronics System

08/12/96

Mercedes-Benz and IBM have announced that they will team up to develop automotive electronics systems. The chairmen of the two companies met at the Olympic Games and settled on the joint venture. The idea behind the co-operative work has its roots in the fact that today's cars have many automated components, but little integration or communication capabilities between them. IBM and Mercedes will develop a computer architecture for automobiles based on network computing that can control and monitor many systems, such as lights, engine, and climate control. The companies will seek the participation of automotive suppliers so that they can create standards similar to those in other industries.

Mercedes-Benz and IBM expect that the future will bring powerful computers in automobiles that will enable on-board navigation systems to gather and use information outside the vehicle to help drivers react quickly to changing weather and road conditions. New features and devices should be integrated into the network with standardized interfaces. The system should make it easy for consumers to add functions like fax, e-mail, and other internet communication packages. It will certainly provide Mercedes-Benz with the computer power necessary to do so.

Paul Dever -- The Auto Channel