Delphi Strives to Deliver Technology's Promise at Convergence 2000
16 October 2000
Delphi Strives to Deliver Technology's Promise at Convergence 2000
Delphi news highlights include safety, connectivity, environment and energy
DETROIT, Oct. 16 Delphi Automotive Systems
emphasized its advanced electronics portfolio here at Convergence 2000 as a
means of helping the automotive industry deliver technology's promise.
"As an industry we're continually asking ourselves, 'What has technology
promised us?' I submit what we should be asking is, 'What are we doing to
deliver that promise?' said J.T. Battenberg III, Delphi chairman, chief
executive officer and president. "It's my opinion that automotive electronics
are not just the key to delivering the promise ... electronics is the code,
the cipher, to unleashing the promise," he said.
The following is a summary of news announcements made by Delphi Automotive
Systems at Convergence 2000, many of which emphasize electronics.
SAFETY NEWS
Delphi develops world's first commercial passenger occupant detection
system for Jaguar and Ford
Delphi announced today that it is supplying its smart occupant passenger
detection system for Jaguar and four models of Ford and Lincoln-Mercury
vehicles. The Delphi PODS (Passive Occupant Detection System) is the first
and only weight-sensing system of its kind to reach the market with its unique
features and functions. It is being introduced as standard equipment on the
2001 Jaguar XK sports car series' Adaptive Restraint Technology System. The
Delphi weight-based system is a critical component of an advanced airbag
system which OEMs must implement to meet the recent U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard (FMVSS) 208, announced in May.
COMMUNICATIONS NEWS
Delphi unveils final production design and new mounting choices for its
Communiport Mobile Productivity Center
Delphi showed its final production design for its Communiport Mobile
Productivity Center (MPC) at Convergence 2000. The MPC allows users to dock a
cell phone with a personal digital assistant to access information from their
Palm V or Vx personal digital assistant hands-free in their vehicles.
Delphi also announced two new mounting choices. Consumers may secure the
docking station on the instrument panel or attach it to the windshield using a
portable suction cup. The unit also may be installed on a widely available
cupholder mount used for cell phones and other devices. The MPC will be
available to order in December 2000. Pricing and distribution details will be
released at a later date.
Delphi Mobile Productivity Center to get more value through MobileAria, a
new web-based content venture
Delphi's Mobile Productivity Center will benefit from a new web-based
content venture, MobileAria, of which Delphi, Palm and Mayfield Fund are
investors. MobileAria will go online second quarter of 2001 and will provide
personalized content for the MPC. Pricing will be announced at a later date.
Five new Communiport(R) Mobile MultiMedia products to enter U.S. market in
2001
Just 28 months (June 1998) after developing its mobile multimedia business
from the ground floor, Delphi will be introducing five of its Communiport(R)-
branded technologies to the U.S. marketplace during 2001. The technologies,
which will bring more information, entertainment and communication into
vehicles, include:
* Communiport Infotainment PC (on 2001 Cadillac Seville and DeVille
programs)
* Communiport Integrated navigation radio system
* Communiport Mobile Productivity Center
* Communiport Rear Seat Audio/Video Entertainment Systems
* OEM Satellite Digital Audio Radio Service (SDARS) Technology
To date, Delphi has booked more than $2.9 billion in new Communiport
business through 2006, with an anticipated compound annual growth rate of 25
percent to 30 percent.
Delphi tentatively accepted as a contributing organization to AMI-C
Delphi announced today that it has been tentatively selected as a
contributing organization to the Automotive Multimedia Interface Collaboration
(AMI-C), a group of 12 global vehicle manufacturers formed to facilitate the
development, promotion and standardization of automotive multimedia interfaces
to vehicle communication networks.
Delphi's participation with AMI-C will make it easier for the auto
industry to add the latest consumer electronics to vehicles, even after the
vehicle is on the road, Battenberg said.
Delphi demonstrates first Satellite Digital Audio Radio (SDARS) receiving
system
Delphi recently demonstrated one of the first mobile Satellite Digital
Audio Receiver Service (SDARS) receiving systems in Washington, D.C., with a
connection to a digital radio signal from XM Satellite Radio.
Scheduled to be on the market next year, satellite radio is a
revolutionary new band of radio that will deliver non-stop, digital-quality
music and other programming directly from satellites to vehicles and
residences. Mobile users will be able to listen to their favorite programming
options consistently coast-to-coast, never changing the dial because the
signal is always present. The service will cost consumers about $9.95 per
month.
ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS
Delphi develops cleaner, safer, more economical fuel source
Delphi Automotive Systems is developing an innovative new alternative
power source to provide safe, clean and low-cost energy to power the
increasing number of electrical devices placed on current and future vehicles.
The Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) will supply up to 6 kilowatts of power,
enough to run heating, air conditioning, navigation systems, mobile offices,
sound systems, heated seats, telecommunications and more without the need to
turn on the engine or draw power from the battery.
ENERGY NEWS
Delphi's 42-volt systems provide more power
Breakthroughs continue to occur in Mobile MultiMedia, safety, drive-by-
wire and other technologies that require increased electrical energy and
increasing power needs in vehicles.
Delphi is developing a broad range of solutions -- compliant technologies,
components and integrated vehicle electrical/electronic systems architectures
-- capable of meeting the new requirements of both dual 14/42 and single 42-
volt systems. Dual and 42-volt electrical system architectures enable the
vehicle to have higher electrical power, which, in turn, enables the
implementation of features that allow improved fuel economy and reduced
emissions.
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 183 wholly owned manufacturing sites, 44 joint
ventures, 53 customer centers and sales offices and 31 technical centers in 40
countries. Delphi can be found on the internet at http://www.delphiauto.com