Motorola's Telematics Technologies Power Mercedes-Benz TeleAid System
4 January 1999
Motorola's Telematics Technologies Power Mercedes-Benz TeleAid System, Standard on Model Year 2000 S-Class Sedans
SCHAUMBURG, Ill.--Jan. 4, 1999--TeleAid Provides Drivers with Roadside Assistance, Emergency
Response and Other Information Services
Motorola announces it has teamed with Mercedes-Benz to introduce TeleAid, a telematics system which will be standard on all model year 2000 Mercedes-Benz S-Class sedans in North America. This new system merges wireless communication and global positioning system technologies to offer drivers 24-hour roadside assistance, emergency response and other services. The S-Class sedans will be available in spring 1999.
The TeleAid system incorporates Motorola's Telematics Communication Unit (TCU(TM)), consisting of Motorola's GPS receiver and wireless communications technology, including cellular voice and data transmission. The TCU, one of the market-leading telematics units in terms of sales and technology, was developed by Motorola engineers using their extensive automotive electronics experience and is well suited for the automotive environment.
The TeleAid system will offer three distinct services from a three-button module on the rear-view mirror. In an emergency situation, the driver presses an "SOS" button, which will immediately establish voice contact with Protection One, a provider contracted by Mercedes-Benz, which will alert local police or other emergency services(1). In addition to transmitting the location of the vehicle through the GPS tracking, pressing this button also transmits crucial information about the customer and vehicle, including the model and color of the car to help emergency services locate the vehicle quickly. In the event of an accident that results in airbag deployment, the system automatically activates, relaying all pertinent information.
TeleAid includes two other functions for non-emergency use. A button marked with a wrench symbol puts the driver in contact with Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance. Another button marked with the letter "i" connects the driver with the Mercedes-Benz Client Assistance Center, which can provide information about operating the car, for example.
"Mercedes-Benz has gone one step further in making S-Class sedans safer and more enjoyable with the TeleAid system as standard equipment," said Marios Zenios, corporate vice president and general manager, Motorola's Telematics Communications Group. "We are very pleased that Mercedes has turned to Motorola for our telematics expertise."
"Motorola's recent consolidation of our efforts into a single Telematics Communication Group enables us to harness corporate-wide strengths for a focused and united effort to fully capture leadership of this exciting new telematics market," said Joe Guglielmi, executive vice president and president, Motorola's Automotive, Component, Computer and Energy Sector. "Mercedes-Benz is a good example of how we were able to focus a single core team on meeting our customers' need for industry leading telematics products and ensuring that customers get what they want, when they want them."
Motorola is a global leader in advanced electronic systems and services. It creates software-driven products that provide integrated customer solutions and Internet access via wireless and satellite communications, as well as computing, networking, and automotive electronics. Motorola also liberates the power of technology by providing essential digital building blocks in the form of embedded semiconductors, controls and systems. Sales in 1997 were $29.8 billion.
For further press information, including photos, please contact: Jeff Weingard, Citigate, 312/372-6045 weingard@mcs.net or Allyson Stinchfield, Citigate, 312/372-6144 afield@mcs.net
(1) Subject to availability of cellular service and GPS signal.