Test Drive Siemens Automotive's PDA-Based Telematics System at Convergence
16 October 2000
Test Drive Siemens Automotive's PDA-Based Telematics System at Convergence
DETROIT, Oct. 16 Siemens Automotive's newest telematics
product, Quick-Scout(R) PDA, will be exhibited on the streets of Detroit
during the Convergence 2000 show being held Oct. 16-18 at Cobo Hall. Members
of the media are invited to participate in this live demonstration of a true
telematics system in a real-world driving environment.
The new product, which was first unveiled in May at the ITS America annual
meeting held in Boston, utilizes a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) programmed
with Siemens Automotive Quick-Scout Advanced Travel Information System (ATIS)
technology. When docked and interfaced with the vehicle, the PDA is
transformed into a powerful telematics system.
PDA functions are combined with Siemens telematics products with the goal
of providing the traveler with access to information and automated turn-by-
turn navigation functions.
The Siemens portable telematics link technology has been awarded two U.S.
patents, with 20 more in progress.
"This is a breakthrough mobility solution," said Siemens Automotive Vice
President of Driver Information Systems, Ron Knockeart. "In effect, our
portable telematics link technology converts an existing PDA into a low-cost
telematics system with navigation and access to the Internet once docked with
the vehicle."
Siemens Automotive Quick-Scout software and vehicle telematics module will
allow in-vehicle access to normal PDA functions, such as phone/address
information and to-do lists. An ergonomically placed push/turn knob or voice
recognition technology provides an alternate interface with the PDA, not
requiring the standard stylus interaction when docked.
"Integrating Quick-Scout with a PDA will produce synergistic improvements
in operation, function and information, raising the total potential of
telematics systems to a whole new level," said Knockeart.
"This system will allow drivers to pick a name from the PDA phone list and
ask for navigation to the address. Additionally, travelers will be able to
build travel itineraries and routes at their desktop computers, and then
select destinations for automated route guidance when the PDA is docked in the
vehicle," said Knockeart. "The system also will provide traffic conditions
along specific routes and even perform hands-free dialing from the phone list
stored in the PDA."
The PDA, programmed with Siemens Automotive's Quick-Scout software,
interfaces with the vehicle through the docking cradle. Through this
interface, the system accesses critical data from the vehicle's on-board
telematics module, which includes cellular communications, global positioning
satellite sensors and other vehicle sensors.
Siemens envisions that through the use of PDA-enabling solutions, the PDA
will link with vehicle telematics systems and display a main menu, featuring:
* Navigation -- Destinations selected from phone/address lists stored in
the traveler's PDA can be accessed to plan driving routes, with turn-by-turn
audio-visual prompts guiding the traveler along the way.
Points of interests, hotels, airports and restaurants are readily
available at the touch of a button.
* Traffic -- Traffic conditions can be viewed for specific routes and
real-time traffic alerts the traveler to tie-ups along anticipated routes.
* News -- Siemens embedded telematics technology provides Internet
connectivity to access personal messages and news.
* Messages -- Travelers can listen and respond to electronic mail and
phone messages through voice recognition and text-to-speech technology.
"The Siemens portable telematics link technology will be able to use an
off-the-shelf PDA and cell phone to link home, office and car to meet the
demanding lifestyle of today's travelers," said Knockeart.
Siemens Automotive, a pioneer in the navigation and telematics industry
since the early 1970s, is a tier-one supplier of automotive and electrical-
electronic systems and components with applications covering gasoline and
diesel powertrain systems, safety and chassis systems, body electronics,
electric motor drives and driver information systems. Worldwide sales in
fiscal year 1998/1999 totaled $3.6 billion.