Delphi and Saab Exhibit Mobile Media Car with Windows CE-Based Auto PC
23 February 1998
Delphi Teams With Saab to Exhibit Mobile Media Featuring Microsoft Windows CE-Based Auto PC
TROY, Mich., Feb. 23 -- Delphi Automotive Systems and Saab
introduced the Personal Productivity Vehicle today at the SAE International
Congress and Exposition in Detroit. The vehicle, a unique version of the 1999
Saab 9-5, features the most advanced mobile office technology -- including
communication, entertainment and computer desktop functions.
"With the Personal Productivity Vehicle, we are sending a strong message
that we intend to play a leading role in the emerging mobile media market as a
leader in vehicle systems integration," said Michael J. Burns, vice president
and general manager of Delphi Delco Electronics Systems. "We believe that the
features and functions of mobile media will make traveling the roads easier,
as well as add substantial value, productivity, convenience and entertainment
for consumers."
"We're pleased to have broad industry support from companies like Delphi
and Saab," said Harel Kodesh, general manager, consumer appliance group, at
Microsoft . "As an industry leader in vehicle electronics
systems, Delphi's implementation of the Auto PC platform demonstrates their
commitment to the emerging mobile media market. The Personal Productivity
Vehicle will deliver information and entertainment to mobile professionals
making the most of their driving experience."
The Saab 9-5 platform was chosen for the demonstration because of its
advanced automotive heritage, customer base and aviation-inspired technology.
A high percentage of Saab's owners are online -- nearly 30 percent, according
to Prospects magazine, a Saab customer publication.
"One of the key brand attributes at Saab is putting the driver in optimum
control -- a legacy of our aircraft heritage," said Stig-Goran Larsson,
director of research and development, Saab Automobile AB. "The Personal
Productivity Vehicle is the logical next step in developing this philosophy
and is a natural for Saab customers who are sophisticated users of today's
information technology."
Developed at Delphi Delco Electronics System's Mecel AB subsidiary in
Goteburg, Sweden, the Personal Productivity Vehicle utilizes the Microsoft
Windows CE-based Auto PC platform, with integrated AM/FM receivers, CD-ROM,
IrDA, serial port interface, universal serial bus, COMPACTFLASH expansion
slot, and high resolution 256X64 display. As the latest addition to
Microsoft's line of PC Companions powered by Windows CE 2.0, the Auto PC
delivers the benefits of interactive speech technology, connectivity,
information on demand, and enhanced entertainment to the vehicle.
The Personal Productivity Vehicle features steering wheel controls,
interactive speech technology to respond to driver commands, and speech
synthesis to communicate text information that allows drivers to keep their
hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.
Through speech recognition, the driver can send e-mail, obtain turn-by-
turn Global Positioning Satellite (GPS)-based navigation to a specific
destination, ask for traffic and weather conditions, locate a restaurant or
hotel, or change the musical selection on the stereo.
The concept vehicle also offers wireless features where a cellular modem
connection can be used for vehicle-to-roadside assistance or to receive e-mail
and Internet information. Also, an infrared data link connects to Windows CE-
based devices such as Handheld PCs and Palm PCs or other personal hand-held
Data Assistant, for transferring data to and from the vehicle.
The Auto PC platform is open, expandable and can be upgraded with new
applications that are seamlessly integrated into the vehicle. Vehicle
application configurations can be easily changed for different market needs
and programs can be loaded from a CD-ROM. Technologies such as a wireless
modem, built-in cellular phone and navigation systems can be integrated into
the platform.
High-bandwidth connectivity is achieved in the vehicle with an ultra-high-
speed fiber-optic serial data link called Mobile Media Link (MML), which is
capable of providing multiple-channel digital audio and video. MML also can
connect and control inputs and outputs to connect a variety of consumer
electronic products such as head-up display, television antenna and tuner, DVD
player, compact disc player, digital stereo audio, and digital speaker
amplifiers.
Data are transmitted and distributed from the network nodes via plastic
optical fiber physical layer, passive star, and optoelectronic devices
developed by Delphi Packard Electric Systems. Delphi Delco Electronics
Systems provides the hardware, standard link protocol and integrated circuit
design. The MML fiber optic bus is capable of signal transmissions rates of
up to 110 megabits per second and can support up to 50 channels of audio and
20 channels of TV-quality compressed video.
"Because the fiber optic cable is immune to electromagnetic interference
(EMI) and generates no emissions, MML provides vehicle occupants crystal-clear
audio and video without negatively affecting other vehicle systems increasing
functional reliability," said Jim Crouse, director of engineering at Delphi
Packard Electric Systems.
Compared with other systems, MML also can provide higher performance.
While other fiber-optic systems currently feature only audio capability, MML
offers both audio and video capabilities.
Delphi Automotive Systems with headquarters in Troy, Mich., USA, is the
world's most diversified supplier of automotive components and systems. With
the recent integration of Delphi Delco Electronics Systems, Delphi operates
208 manufacturing facilities, 46 ventures and 27 technical centers in 36
countries. Regional headquarters are located in Paris, Tokyo and Sao Paulo.
Delphi can be found on the Internet at http://www.delphiauto.com.
"NEXT CENTURY WINNERS" FACT SHEET
"MOBILE MEDIA" -- PERSONAL PRODUCTIVITY VEHICLE
NEWS
Delphi showcases mobile media with a development project done with Saab to
demonstrate advanced computer desktop technology, communications and
entertainment in a vehicle.
OPERATION
MOBILE MEDIA
* Utilizes ultra-high-speed fiber-optic serial data link.
* The link is capable of multiple-channel digital audio and video.
* Expandable to connect a variety of consumer media products and
displays.
* Has fault tolerant passive star fiber optic bus architecture.
* Superior EMI/RFI performance.
Auto PC -- Powered by Microsoft(R) Windows(R) CE
* Brings the power of PCs to vehicles.
* Uses standard Microsoft Windows CE 2.0 operating system.
* Interactive speech technology with integrated voice recognition, speech
synthesis, turn-by-turn navigation.
* Standard Win 32 API's allow for third-party vendors to develop
applications.
* Hardware platform includes AM/FM receivers, universal serial port,
COMPACTFLASH slot, and high resolution 256x64 display.
Driver in Command -- Eyes on the Road
* Steering wheel controls for key functions.
* Enhanced voice recognition used to control feature functions.
* Speech synthesis converts text to speech.
Wireless Connectivity
* Cellular modem connection for vehicle to roadside assistance, e-mail
and Internet information.
* Infrared data link to connect Personal Data Assistant or other Windows
CE-based devices such as Handheld PCs and Palm PCs for transferring
data to and from the vehicle.
* GPS receiver interface for navigation.
Expandability and Flexibility
* Microsoft Windows CE 2.0 open operating system's open architecture
allows developers to create new applications that are seamlessly
integrated in the vehicle.
* Vehicle application configurations can be easily changed for different
market needs.
* Programs can be loaded from the CD-ROM.
* MML ultra-high-speed bus allows for the addition of displays and media
hardware.
Vehicle System Integration
* Demonstration hardware integrated into the existing vehicle
electrical/electronic BUS architecture.
* MML ultra-high-speed serial data bus allows for future system feature
function integration
* Fiber optic link reduces wire counts and vehicle mass.
BENEFITS
* Drivers can access office desktop information, navigation and enhanced
entertainment from the vehicle.
* Open operating system that can be expanded and upgraded.
* Drivers can be more productive in vehicles.
SOURCE Delphi Automotive Systems