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AMI Consortium Formed to Define Common Vehicle Standards

20 October 1998

AMI Consortium Formed to Define Common Vehicle Access Standards

    DEARBORN, Mich., Oct. 19 -- A consortium of leading
automotive companies today announced its plans to define the industry's first
set of interface standards for automotive information, communications, and
entertainment systems.
    The Automotive Multimedia Interface Consortium (AMIC) is being formed
initially by six manufacturers -- Chrysler, Daimler-Benz, Ford, General
Motors, Renault, and Toyota -- all of whom recognize the need to provide
standards that will enable safe, reliable, and cost-effective vehicle access
for the wide variety of emerging electronic devices and services.
    The consortium is offering membership to all automotive OEMs.
    "One benefit of the consortium is to have standards for aftermarket access
to cars and trucks.  With some 50 million new vehicles being produced globally
every year, we, as automotive OEMs, need to support a set of common standards
that will allow infotainment suppliers to interface with a broad range of new
vehicles from various OEMs," said David Acton, director of electrical
engineering at GM.
    "The consortium will assist the ongoing development and deployment of
Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS).  The standards will simplify the
application and installation of ITS devices into vehicles from multiple
manufacturers," Acton said.
    "With the development of common hardware and software interface standards,
we can foster innovation of new features and functions in automotive
electronics creating a stable and uniform electronic interface to the
automobile," said Scott Andrews, ITS project general manager at Toyota.
    The consortium will provide common requirements and a "one-voice"
direction from AMIC members.  It does not intend to become a standards
publication entity.
    "This is a win-win-win approach for our customers, suppliers, and OEMs
alike.  Our customers will be assured of a broader array of electronics, which
today is only available on a custom-made aftermarket basis; our suppliers will
be able to develop a product that they know will interface with hardware and
software on vehicles from all manufacturers; and the OEMs will be able to
integrate new electronics and validate their functions with onboard
electronics," said Cary Wilson, director of electrical/electronic systems
engineering at Ford.
    Any automotive global OEMs needing more information may contact any of the
initial members, although many discussions are already underway.