Several telecommunications companies hooked up with auto makers to provide in-vehicle wireless capabilities at last week’s 2000 Detroit Auto Show.
General Motors Corp. is in talks with Bell Atlantic Corp. to put at least 1 million cellular phones in its vehicles this year.
The alliance would further GM’s efforts to offer online entertainment via its OnStar system. GM and Bell Atlantic Mobile would split a monthly fee for the service, possibly generating $40 per month in revenue per vehicle, GM said.
Eventually, GM will install the hardware for the service in almost all of the 9 million vehicles it makes annually.
GM also introduced its Terradyne Concept Vehicle. The vehicle incorporates a console-mounted laptop, printer and Motorola Inc.’s i1000plus integrated digital wireless handset with service from Nextel Communications Inc.
The i1000plus handset features voice and wireless Internet communications and is controlled, along with the laptop, by a dash-mounted liquid crystal display touch screen. The handset integrates a digital cellular phone, digital two-way radio, built-in hands-free speakerphone and alphanumeric pager with data capabilities such as an Internet microbrowser, two-way e-mail and wireless modem functionality.
IBM Corp. and Motorola Inc. announced they will combine IBM’s Pervasive Computing Division with Motorola’s Integrated Electronics Systems Sector to create telematics solutions that would bring wireless Internet data to vehicles.
Motorola said it will contribute its expertise in the front-end telematics needs, such as on-board electronics, driver interfaces and enabling infrastructure. IBM said it will bring its experience in the back-end services, like computer technology, hardware, software and information technology services, as well as new software for managing pervasive devices across multiple networks.
Motorola also announced it will team with Command Audio Corp. to bring audio-on-demand information and entertainment capabilities into the next generation of telematics systems.
The joint venture will integrate Command Audio’s audio-on-demand service into Motorola’s iRadio in-vehicle information and entertainment system.
The Command Audio system wirelessly transmits hundreds of audio programs each day from a variety of print and broadcast sources, enabling consumers to hear what they want, when they want. iRadio is Motorola’s latest telematics platform that combines wireless voice and data, including global positioning system service, to provide location-specific security, information and in-vehicle entertainment services.
Ford Motor Co. said its 2001 Lincoln models will have a standard voice-activated communications system. The technology includes wireless phone, navigation and satellite radio capabilities, as well as Internet connectivity. Monthly fees will range from $10 to 30, depending on the level of service provided, Ford said.
