Motorola (NYSE:MOT) today announced agreements with TEMIC, CUE, Object Technology International (an IBM subsidiary), Embedded Planet, Virtual Prototypes, and QNX Software Systems to further develop its mobileGT™ Architecture.
The Java-based architecture, initially targeted for automotive driver information systems, is scalable across a wide range of products, which can allow automobile manufacturers to leverage a common development approach while providing product differentiation, such as tailored applications and system integration, dynamic navigation, wireless connectivity and Internet access, natural language speech processing, car audio, virtual dashboards, multimedia and more.
The relationships with these six companies enable speech recognition, driver information content, Java™ application development, deployment and hardware integration, graphical user interfaces (GUIs), global positioning systems (GPS), and a superior operating system together in the mobileGT platform.
"We are most excited about bringing speech recognition capabilities to our mobileGT architecture," stated John Hansen, Director of Driver Information Systems Marketing, Motorola. "Because of the inherent nature of operating an automobile, it only makes sense to enable a vehicle's functions to respond to voice commands so that the driver can concentrate on driving," he concluded.
Speech recognition capabilities are expected to be enabled by Motorola's relationship with TEMIC. TEMIC is the pioneer in speech processing. Starting in 1996, TEMIC supplied the first usable and robust speech controlled system to Mercedes-Benz®. "We supply not just speech recognition," mentioned Dr. Mathias Gollwitzer, Director Speech Processing, TEMIC. "Our focus is also acoustic and dialog design." With these three core technologies, together with Motorola, a system solution for a universal infotainment platform should be realized. Distributed solutions with on/off-board speech processing are in development for various services.
Driver Information Content capabilities are expected to be enabled by Motorola's relationship with CUE Corporation. Through this relationship, mobileGT is expected to be able to provide voice- driven real-time traffic information, weather forecasts, news alerts through CUE's Voice TMC® technology. The new service would broadcast real-time route-specific traffic information over FM subcarrier in 60 major markets. Gordon Kaiser, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer for CUE, said, "We look forward to bringing out new nation-wide traffic radio station to the mobileGT platform providing drivers with critical information in a safe, timely and user-friendly fashion."
Quick start Java™ capabilities are expected to be enabled by Motorola's relationship with Object Technology International (an IBM subsidiary). Through IBM's VisualAge Micro Edition comprehensive integrated development environment, set of tools and runtime components for deploying Java applications on connected embedded devices, mobileGT architecture helps developers achieve speedier development times and more effective team collaboration while improving the individual developer's programming experience. It helps make it possible to debug and analyze programs as they execute -- even when they run in remote, network-attached devices without their own user interfaces.
Development Systems and hardware integration capabilities are expected to be enabled by Motorola's relationship with Embedded Planet. The development systems are expected to integrate Embedded Planet's hardware and firmware with software and tools to create an "out of box development" platform that can translate to prototypes, or directly into production-ready products. The mobileGT solution is tailor-made for automotive applications, but Embedded Planet technology is designed to be easily adapted and scalable to other Internet gateway or networking applications. The entire family of EP firmware, software, and hardware helps OEMs design, develop and deploy embedded applications more efficiently than previously possible.
A consumer-friendly graphical user interface (GUI) is expected to be enabled by Motorola's relationship with Virtual Prototypes, Inc. (VPI). VPI provides a comprehensive toolset for the specification, design, testing and deployment of the human machine interface (HMI), with which the driver interacts to access the mobileGT technology. "We are enthusiastic to be such a visible component of the mobileGT development solution, providing our customers with the ability to quickly create personalized and distinctive interfaces for the infotainment and telematic systems which today's consumers are demanding in their vehicles," stated Philippe Collard, President and CEO of Virtual Protoypes. VAPS and CCG Lite form a powerful suite of tools for specifying, testing, simulating and deploying visual real-time, interactive 2D graphical user interfaces. VAPS automates all phases of the development and deployment of real-time, data-driven and event- driven graphical HMI applications. The VAPS tool suite allows users to intuitively draw objects, specify data-driven animation, connect to application data and specify event/response behavior. VAPS generates ANSI C source code that may be compiled and downloaded to the embedded real-time target system, taking VAPS- built HMIs from the prototyping stage to product delivery.
The mobileGT platform's realtime operating system (RTOS) and GUI are expected to be provided by QNX Software Systems. QNX® Neutrino® RTOS provides a full suite of small, memory-efficient applications for mobileGT systems, including the Photon microGUI® windowing system, the Voyager™ Web browser, an email client, a PIM, as well as drivers for LCDs, audio, and more. All applications are fully customizable, allowing the manufacturer to create a unique look and feel. And unlike conventional RTOSs, QNX Neutrino's robust microkernal architecture is inherently open to ISVs. Even developers who have written only user applications can expect to easily add their own custom drivers, file systems, etc., no kernel programming required.
According to Ted Lewis, CEO of Daimler-Chrysler Research and Development, digital radio will achieve a virtual 100% automotive market penetration within ten years (COMPUTER Binary Critic, September, 2000). Other aspects of DIS such as navigation, email, information content and additional entertainment content should also grow in a similar fashion. The technological capabilities of this consortium should be a key factor in enabling these driver information systems.
The open and definable nature of the mobileGT technology allows customers to upgrade or revise functionality through their cellular phone or other wireless technology.
Motorola plans to announce several initial mobileGT architecture customers in 2001.
[ Home | Contact | MobiChat | Experts database | Let's do it ]
Comments to the content of this page can be posted on the MobiChat discussion group