Webraska and ACUNIA to Cooperate to Port Internet Based Distributed Navigation on Open Java in Vehicle Platforms

21 December 2000

Webraska and ACUNIA to Cooperate to Port Internet Based Distributed Navigation on Open Java in Vehicle Platforms

    POISSY, France--Dec. 21, 2000--Webraska, the worldwide provider of wireless navigation services and technologies, and ACUNIA, the leading next generation telematics technology provider (formerly known as SmartMove), announces their cooperation to port Webraska's IbDN(TM) (Internet based Distributed Navigation(TM)) patented technology in the ACUNIA telematics technology environment for use in the Automotive industry.
    Webraska will use the ACUNIA Service Development Kit (SDK) to develop and implement a distributed navigation service for use on an ACUNIA enabled telematics platform. With this agreement, each hardware platform compatible with the ACUNIA technology will automatically be able to host the Webraska navigation services.
    Webraska's Internet based Distributed Navigation(TM) technology allows car manufacturers to combine the wealth of data and functionalities present on or interfaced through Webraska's Global Navigation Server(TM), with the information and functions generated by an in-car terminal, that can also be linked to any application, Internet provider or external database. The result is optimised dynamic navigation including vocal turn-by-turn directions taking into account events in real-time, such as traffic conditions & road changes, always up-to-date, available worldwide without the need to change CDs, with personalisation and continuity of service to mobile phones, PDAs, the office or the home.
    ACUNIA is known worldwide as the developer of the Open Telematics Framework (OTF), the first fully functional, end-to-end, Java-based open software design for the entire telematics pipeline. Its single-platform, protocol-neutral, lightweight architecture system has won industry acclaim because it can be quickly and easily upgraded on-the-fly to add services and accommodate new technologies.
    "Webraska's objective is to offer to the automotive industry a worldwide availability of its wireless navigation distributed in-car services and server technologies, on platforms that the car manufacturers and their partners will select," says Bruno Bourguet, General Manager for the Webraska Automotive Group. "We like the structured and open approach of the ACUNIA technology platform as it facilitates the roll out and evolution of in-vehicle wireless applications and services."
    "Navigation services are among the most requested services by the end users in the vehicle environment," says Steven Buytaert, co-CEO at ACUNIA. "We are happy that the technology and services of Webraska, a worldwide leader in this field, will soon be available on our technology environment. This will be of great benefit to our customers in their endeavour to offer to the drivers a range of useful services."
    The first pilot with a car manufacturer is planned to be running at the beginning of 2001.

    About Webraska

    Webraska is the worldwide provider of wireless navigation, mapping and traffic information services and technologies for telecom operators and car manufacturers.
    Webraska's revolutionary IbDN(TM) (Internet-based Distributed Navigation) or Personal Navigation Suite(TM) are used by leading mobile operators and car manufacturers around the world, including SFR, KPN, Belgacom, Airtel, Orange and VoiceStream, to offer wireless navigation applications carefully crafted to make the best out of each access mode (WAP, Internet, SMS, IVR, Java technology-enabled phones, PDA, Call Centre, car equipment).
    Webraska's offering also includes a ready to use Global Navigation Database(TM), a carrier-grade Global Navigation Server(TM) platform that already supports millions of subscribers, and a unique Personal Navigation API(c) that allows carriers and their partners to location and navigation enable all their applications (location-based services, m-commerce, games, city guides, fleet management, mobile Extranet, etc.). Webraska's industry leading partners include Phone.Com, SignalSoft, Alcatel, Sagem, Schlumberger, Cellpoint, CT Motion and CPS.
    The company is headquartered in Poissy, France and has offices and teams in London, Brussels, Madrid, Rotterdam, Milan, Stockholm, Tokyo, Singapore, Melbourne and Montreal.
    For more information visit: www.webraska.com

    About ACUNIA

    Founded in 1996 (as SmartMove), ACUNIA is the leading next generation telematics technology provider, holding several international patents in the field of vehicle telematics.
    Headquartered in Leuven (Belgium), the company employs about 100 people, most of them engineers. The company's U.S. subsidiary, ACUNIA USA, INC. is located in Cambridge, Mass.
    The ACUNIA Service Development Kit (SDK) is a set of software tools that allow Service Providers to quickly and easily create, adapt and manage their services. They can register and operate their services through the Java Application Program Interfaces (APIs) that are part of the kit. These APIs give them access to the Open Telematics Framework, the information pipeline to the vehicle.
    For more information visit: www.acunia.com.