Telematics Suppliers Consortium Formed to Define Telematics Standards

20 October 1998
Telematics Suppliers Consortium Formed to Define Telematics Standards
    DETROIT, Oct. 19 -- Telematics industry leaders today
announced plans to create a Telematics Suppliers Consortium (TSC), which will
facilitate communications with the Automotive Multimedia Interface Consortium
(AMIC) and lead development of open, non-proprietary standards from "the
vehicle out to telematics services."
    Telematics is an emerging market of automotive communications technology
that combines wireless voice and data to provide location-specific security
and information services to drivers.  According to a North American study by
the Strategis Group (note 1), telematics systems are expected to be installed
in 1.2 million vehicles by 2003, up from an estimated 56,000 by year-end 1998.
    The mission of the TSC will be to address the connectivity from fixed
service facilities to the standard vehicle interfaces that will be defined by
the automotive OEMs through the AMIC.  This group, composed of the world's
leading automakers, is currently working on connectivity standards which will
provide common hardware and software interfaces to vehicles.  The TSC intends
to provide AMIC with a "single connectivity voice" in the development of these
standards.
    Among the supporting companies of the TSC are AMP, Hewlett-Packard,
Motorola, and Navigation Technologies.  Additional supporters will be
announced soon.  These companies bring diversity to the telematics
marketplace, offering expertise as consumer electronics manufacturers,
automobile electronics manufacturers, content providers, wireless equipment
providers, and/or systems integrators.
    "We are pleased that leaders in the world of automotive technologies will
come together to benefit the growth of the telematics industry, help each
other create innovative new products, and most importantly, serve consumers,"
said Bob Denaro, Vice President and Director, Motorola Telematics Information
Systems (TIS).  "Together, we will adopt open, non-proprietary standards in
order to meet the growth potential of the telematics market.  Only then can
drivers enjoy lower cost systems and a greater richness in telematics
services."
    TSC representatives plan to meet with members of the AMIC, several other
active SDOs (Standards Development Organizations) and industry trade
organizations in order to facilitate development of common standards and
protocols.
    More information can be obtained by visiting the Telematics Suppliers
Consortium at http://www.telematics-suppliers.org.