Vetronix Develops WirelessRoad for the Clarion AutoPC
8 February 2000
Vetronix Develops WirelessRoad for the Clarion AutoPC; Two-Way Wireless Internet Access System Allows Users to Send Email Via Voice
SANTA BARBARA, Calif., Feb. 8 -- Vetronix Corporation, a
world leader in automotive interface products, is pleased to offer the
WirelessRoad(TM) Internet access system for the Clarion AutoPC(TM).
WirelessRoad enables the AutoPC to receive and send email messages and to
receive user-selected Web content using wireless communication technology.
The AutoPC, powered by the Windows(R) CE operating system, is the first
product that integrates car audio, computing functions, navigation and
wireless communications through hands-free voice activation into a 1-DIN unit
in the dash of an automobile.
"Vetronix Corporation is excited to partner with Clarion to develop
WirelessRoad, a product that delivers on the promise of the AutoPC platform,"
said Jim Zaleski, President of Vetronix Corporation. "Two-way Internet access
provides many compelling new features. Drivers will be able to use the AutoPC
to increase their productivity by listening, and for the first time, replying
to email while commuting. User-selected Web content will keep drivers
informed on matters of interest such as driving directions, traffic and
weather reports. Like Vetronix's other AutoPC products, WirelessRoad is
extensively speech-enabled so that drivers can use their hands and eyes for
driving."
WirelessRoad connects the AutoPC to the Internet through a proprietary
gateway. When email is received by the AutoPC, the WirelessRoad application
software alerts the driver. The driver then verbally commands the AutoPC to
read the message and is provided with the option of using voice commands to
reply to the message or to forward the message. The driver can also compose
and send a new message using speech commands.
"We are pleased to work with Vetronix Corporation to develop the
WirelessRoad product for the AutoPC," said James Minarik, President and CEO of
Clarion Corporation of America. "WirelessRoad provides extremely valuable
functions for the driver by enabling him to verbally send and receive email
and Web content. WirelessRoad will significantly expand the capabilities of
the Clarion AutoPC."
In addition to email functions, the ability to pull content from the Web
is supported by the application and by the gateway. Selecting the appropriate
icon directs the application to poll the gateway and retrieve associated Web
content. The gateway supports clipping functions that are configured by the
user from a desktop PC with Internet access.
There is almost no limit to the size of messages that can be delivered to
the AutoPC. To save on wireless service costs, the system will deliver
messages in packets of finite length, enabling the driver to request more
information as desired.
WirelessRoad uses the Bell South Wireless Data (BSWD) network. This
Mobitex network is the data network of choice for the United States, and is
employed by many consumer and commercial system integrators. The WirelessRoad
transceiver hardware is based on a Mobitex two-way radio configured for the
12-volt automotive environment and the Universal Serial Bus used by the
AutoPC. While it uses an integrated antenna, an external glass-mount antenna
can be used if desired.
The WirelessRoad gateway is a proprietary connection between the BSWD
network and the Internet, allowing data from the Internet to be made available
to BSWD users in a specific and appropriate manner. The WirelessRoad gateway
optimizes the Web data for presentation in the AutoPC environment. Candidate
content types include:
-- Weather Information
-- Traffic Information
-- Driving Directions
-- Reference and Directories
-- Stock Quotes
-- Communications
-- Sports Scores
The proprietary gateway enables WirelessRoad to provide cost-saving
features such as the ability to receive only email "Subject" and "Sender"
information, but not the body of the message unless requested. A Web-based
mailbox to allow retrieval of messages from other locations will be available
by Q3 2000.
WirelessRoad is scheduled to be available during summer of 2000.
Clarion Corporation of America, with U.S. headquarters in Gardena, Calif.,
has been an international leader in car audio and electronics since 1940. The
company conducts research, development, engineering, design and manufacturing
of entertainment, communication, security, computing and navigation systems
products. Clarion has more than 14,000 employees worldwide and 24 factories
in 10 countries, with marketing and sales affiliates in Europe, North and
South America, Asia and Australia. Clarion is located on the Web at
http://www.clarion-usa.com.
Clarion is the developer and manufacturer of the revolutionary Clarion
AutoPC(TM), which is the first product to integrate car audio, computing
functions, navigation and wireless communications through hands-free voice
activation within the dash of an automobile. Information on the Clarion
AutoPC, which is powered by the Microsoft Windows(R) CE operating system, can
be found at http://www.autopc.com.
Vetronix In-Vehicle Products operates as a business unit of Vetronix
Corporation and was formed in 1997. Vetronix, a privately held company with
headquarters in Santa Barbara, Calif., was founded in 1984 and is a recognized
leader in automotive diagnostics technology. Vetronix supplies automotive
service equipment and diagnostic technology to both OEM-affiliated and
aftermarket segments of the industry.
Through cooperative development relationships with automotive OEMs such as
General Motors, Adam Opel, Ford, Daimler Chrysler, Honda, Toyota, Nissan,
Isuzu, Suzuki and Kia, Vetronix testers and diagnostic software dominate the
market. Vetronix products are distributed in 45 countries and are translated
into more than 23 languages.
Other product and company names herein may be the trademarks of their
respective owners.