Delphi Readies Mobile Productivity Center Final Designs for Market Introduction
16 October 2000
Delphi Readies Mobile Productivity Center Final Designs for Market Introduction
Delphi System to Connect Motorist With Palm Information
DETROIT, Oct. 16 Delphi Automotive Systems
showcased the production design of its new Mobile Productivity Center (MPC)
here at the Convergence 2000 International Congress on Transportation
Electronics Show.
By docking a cell phone with a personal digital assistant, the
Communiport(R) MPC allows busy people to access information from their Palm V
or Vx personal digital assistant hands-free in their vehicles.
The company also revealed plans to offer several vehicle-mounting choices
for the unit.
In the Communiport MPC final design, the Palm unit and Ericsson telephone
are snugly docked side-by-side. The Communiport MPC is powered by the 12-volt
accessory outlet and is designed to minimize power consumption when left in a
vehicle. Consumers have a choice of different installation techniques
including front or top of dashboard, cup holder or windshield mounts. It is
also equipped with charging circuits to maintain the rechargeable battery in
the telephone.
"In addition to a product that will greatly add to the productivity of the
user, we have put a lot of thought and effort into making it simple to use,
portable and easy to plug in and remove from the vehicle," said Bob
Schumacher, Delphi's director of Mobile MultiMedia. "This unit very
seamlessly allows the user to access important information and stay connected
while in the vehicle."
Through its built-in microphone and voice recognition, the Communiport MPC
allows users to request and listen to entries in the Palm personal digital
assistant's calendar, address book, to-do list, memo pad and e-mail. By voice
command, the user can instruct the unit to load an existing telephone number
from the address book into the phone and place a hands-free call or voice load
a new number.
For privacy, the Communiport MPC can also be used with a volume-controlled
audio output jack that can be used with headphones.
With the radio tuned to an unused FM channel, the Communiport MPC uses a
low-power FM transmitter to allow audio to be heard though the vehicle's
receiver and speakers. Through its text-to-speech capabilities, the
Communiport MPC can read back through the radio, the Palm V's to-do list items
or deliver e-mail to the driver. All of the Communiport MPC functions are
designed to minimize the steps of operation and can be performed hands-free,
allowing the driver to keep hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.
"It's a one-step process," Schumacher said. "One push of a button and the
unit says it's 'ready' to take the voice commands and perform its functions."
The MPC will be marketed through consumer electronics retailers including
many of the existing Palm distribution channels. The units will also be
available at certain new car dealerships.
With Delphi and Palm as two of the investment partners in the new wireless
content and services company called MobileAria, MPC users will benefit from
receiving its open-service content platform that offers voice activated
management of the user's personal information. MobileAria plans to offer
content by the second quarter of 2001.
The market for mobile multimedia products is expected to grow between
25 and 30 percent over the next five years, according to Schumacher. Studies
also indicate that more than 50 percent of new vehicles will have telematics
capability by 2006. Since its inception in 1998, the Delphi Mobile MultiMedia
Business group has booked $2.9 billion in new mobile multimedia business
through 2006.
Multi-national Delphi Automotive Systems, with headquarters in Troy,
Mich., USA, Paris, Tokyo and Sao Paulo, Brazil, is a world leader in mobile
electronics and transportation components and systems technology. Delphi's
three business sectors -- Dynamics & Propulsion; Safety, Thermal & Electrical
Architecture; and Electronics & Mobile Communication -- provide comprehensive
product solutions to complex customer needs. Delphi has approximately 216,000
employees and operates 179 wholly owned manufacturing sites, 41 joint
ventures, 53 customer centers and sales offices and 31 technical centers in 39
countries. Delphi can be found on the Internet at http://www.delphiauto.com
Forward Looking Statements
The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe
harbor for forward-looking statements made by us or on our behalf. All
statements which address operating performance, events or developments that we
expect or anticipate may occur in the future, including statements relating to
volume growth, awarded sales contracts and earnings per share growth or
statements expressing general optimism about future operating results, are
forward looking statements. These statements are made on the basis of
management's views and assumptions; as a result, there can be no assurance
that management's expectations will necessarily come to pass. A list of
factors which could impact future events and performance is included in the
Delphi Automotive Systems Corporation 1999 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission.