AI
Monday, February 18, 2002 7:28:09 PM
2/18/02 Good Vibrations (2nd draft-substantial additions)
Recently, e.Digital made public for the first time a design win in the telematics market.
January 7, 2002- e.Digital Corporation and Eclipse by Fujitsu Ten announced today that the companies have collaborated for several months to develop and deliver state-of-the-art automotive OEM and aftermarket infotainment systems integrating the latest digital audio, voice recognition, data storage, video, and wireless Internet technologies for sale under the Eclipse brand name. This includes integration of onboard cellular phone, GPS, video, and audio into a single voice-controlled automotive system. Technology development will include navigation and control as well as wireless access and integration with home networks."
As many of you know, I have been looking into e.digital's possible involvement in the telematics market for almost two years. I confess and acknowledge that I was surprised by the announcement with Fujitsu Ten. Something you should keep in mind when reading the remainder of this. So is that it, did I miss the boat in my previous ruminations on this topic. I think not but only time will tell--but we are not too far off now.
So if anyone is interested, I have decided to put on my "longtooth" and update some prior ramblings on the topic-- may be even in time for the 2/19/02 edig CC. Recent communications from e.digital's management would suggest in fact that its telematics agenda is becoming one of its important markets.
January 16, 2002
Automotive Business
"We were pleased to announce last week an automotive product developed and designed through our collaboration with Eclipse by Fujitsu Ten. The Eclipse by Fujitsu Ten automotive product (MP-3 Changer) introduced at CES represents the first automotive system incorporating e.Digital's MicroOS and VoiceNav(TM) technologies. In addition to the design shown at the Eclipse by Fujitsu Ten booth, e.Digital demonstrated an advanced prototype of the product utilizing a beta version of its MicroOS 3.0 which enables music files to be remotely transferred from a PC to the player via 802.11 wireless protocol.
The Eclipse by Fujitsu Ten product is the first of several major opportunities for our technology to be included in next-generation automotive infotainment systems. Infotainment systems are part of the automotive telematics market, which is expected to be worth over $1.1 billion in 2002, and projected to grow 16-fold by 2006. (Telematics Research Group). There is significant interest among several automotive electronics manufacturers and suppliers in e.Digital's digital data management and wireless infotainment solutions. Automotive infotainment and telematics applications are expected to generate substantial licensing, NRE fees, and royalties for your Company. Each OEM agreement may also include revenue for manufacturing services, warranty services, marketing, customer service, order fulfillment, and technical support services."
February 11, 2002
Automotive Business
"The burgeoning automotive telematics market is a strategic target for our immediate and long-term business expansion. e.Digital technology, including our MicroOSTM file management system and our VoiceNavTM user-independent speech recognition interface, enables automotive OEMs and ODMs to incorporate additional features and successfully meet safety objectives in automotive telematics and infotainment solutions.
Automotive telematics is the wireless exchange or delivery of communication, information, and other content between the auto and/or occupants and external sources....Based on over two years of internal development, and growing interest in our VoiceNav and MicroOS technologies, we are making automotive telematics solutions a primary focus of our OEM and ODM technology development and marketing efforts.
Based on the work we have done and continue to do, we are expanding our business in this area and taking advantage of significant near-term and long-term revenue opportunities available to us. The revenue opportunities from the automotive telematics applications of our products and technologies is potentially far greater than even those from portable consumer devices, both in royalties and margins."
As e.digital has acknowledged, this is not an area of business that it just dreamed up and started a few months back with Fujitsu. I would suggest e.digital's beginnings in this area were an outgrowth of the VoiceTimes' alliance and its previous dealings with Intel and IBM which no doubt led to it being included as an inaugural member of VoiceTimes.
VoiceTimes alliance
April 13, 1999 – e.Digital Corporation along with IBM, Intel and other leaders in speech recognition and mobile technologies today announced at the DemoMobile 99 conference the formation of the Voice Technology Initiative for Mobile Enterprise Solutions (VoiceTIMES)....With the explosive growth of mobile devices and the increasing demand for network access, the VoiceTIMES initiative was formed to define specifications for how voice commands and information are transmitted and received by existing and future mobile devices.
''We believe VoiceTIMES will allow e.Digital to expand development of speech-based mobile information gathering devices and leverage our product designs in to many additional industry solutions.'' (Falk} ''In today's world of pervasive computing, users want simple, fast and hassle free mobile computing devices to connect and communicate.'' said W.S. ''Ozzie'' Osborne, general manager of IBM Speech Systems. ''Through joint collaboration, the VoiceTIMES alliance aims to eliminate complexities for the consumer and solutions integrator, while providing future generations of standard compliant speech-enabled mobile products. VoiceTIMES will allow mobile users to compute — anytime, anywhere.
Q: How does this fit into the mobile industries overall strategy?
A: Just like with VXML, Java and the Internet, VoiceTIMES is driving open standards technology to one day eliminate the complexity of doing business. Through pervasive computing, VoiceTIMES hopes to create an infrastructure to provide open standards for the mobile industry, including telematics.
What VoiceTimes and the concept of pervasive computing should teach you is that you CANNOT look at the concept of telematics in an isolated vacuum apart from the rest of mobile communications. For example, shortly before Voicetimes, in January 1999 IBM performed a focus group market survey regarding 3 voice driven mobile products which results were posted on IBM's Voicetimes website:
Selected Survey Results
Three 'Concepts' were discussed:
1]an 'Add-on' device to a current PDA (i.e., Palm III or Palm V),
2]an 'embedded' version that had the speech technology built-in to the device,(think telematics)
3]a smartphone with onboard PDA-type functions.
Immediate access to information was PVA/PDA enthusiasts' leading desire for voice-activated usage, while 'being able to contact others' was the leading desire for smartphone users. Most participants agreed that 'hands-free'/'eyes-free' operation was the feature that they found most important. The results of the survey concluded that adding voice to PDAs and Smartphones is the next 'natural' step for enhancing smart handheld devices, and it supports the VoiceTIMES vision to expand Voice Technology. Clearly the "hands-free/eyes-free" killer application is best designed for the telematics market.
If you will recall, a few months later Intel announces its own PVA- Personal Vehicle Assistant. In fact, over 1 1/2 years ago wtmgyes wrote IBM about VoiceTimes and received the following response:
"The products we announced can and will use VoiceTIMES
specification verified devices. VoiceTIMES is the initiative to create open specifications for mobile devices. The specifications that VoiceTIMES is currently working on and will be working on in the future will be used to access the mobile Internet through our software.
Perfect examples are our voice-enabled automotive solution and the PVA. Both solutions use the VoiceTIMES specification for their internet access devices."
Tom Houy
Manager, Client Systems Marketing
IBM Speech Systems
1555 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd.
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
http://ragingbull.lycos.com/mboard/boards.cgi?board=EDIG&read=364361&x=11&y=7
In connection with writing this post, I came across an article from a German magazine posted on Siemens website which contains the following which I believes exemplifies the concept that telematics will be looked at as one part of mobile communications. (Siemens is an important member of Bluetooth's Special Interest Group (SIG), a collection of wireless telecommunications and computing leaders. This group was founded in 1998 by Ericsson, IBM, Intel, Nokia, and Toshiba to create a global specification for short-range, wireless connectivity. Here's the excerpt:
"What, then, might a normal working day look like once the promise of third-generation mobile communications has been fulfilled? Over breakfast, you might take in the latest news from the Internet on your e-book. Meanwhile, your personal digital assistant (PDA)—a UMTS terminal—coordinates the family rota for the coffee machine. With time running short, you send back unread articles to the PDA, which saves them for later. You then leave the house, having instructed the terminal to lock the door.
Once in the garage, the PDA automatically transmits your id, unlocks the vehicle and immediately consults your diary in order to work out the best route. Out on the road, it's time for a little music. So you whistle a melody into your PDA, which immediately begins an Internet search for an appropriate piece of music. At the same time, it puts through an important call from a colleague at work.
Having arrived at the office, the terminal checks for any extra appointments with the computer at your desk. It turns out you have a new customer. Naturally, electronic business cards are automatically exchanged during the first conversation. Meanwhile, a video conference organized by your PDA with engineers in France helps you to clear up a technical problem.
In this way, the working day proceeds smoothly, periodically interrupted by WAP sport and market news. By the time you're ready to leave the office, the terminal has already brought your diary up to date and booked a table at your favorite restaurant. As you head for the allotted table, a discrete tone in your breast pocket announces that the PDA has received the menu. Should you decide to activate your terminal, your favorite dish will appear at the top of the list of those on offer.
Later, as you approach your car to drive home, the vehicle door opens automatically, your favorite radio station comes on and the seat adjusts to your ideal position. Any e-mails received are read out, and the answering machine back home is checked for messages. All this could one day be possible thanks to the Voicetimes project, which enables the information terminal to handle speech in three ways: A speaker-recognition function protects the equipment against unauthorized use, just like a pin code. Voice synthesis allows information to be conveyed in the form of speech—for example, a traffic warning to drivers. Finally, speech recognition makes the keyboard redundant.
When you arrive back home, the door opens and the latest news from your favorite electronic newspaper appears on a screen. While you are reading, the coffee machine goes into action and notes important messages for the rest of the family via a Bluetooth interface.
By way of relaxation, the terminal then shows you the latest edition of new world, which contains an article describing how the fourth generation of communications technology is going to revolutionize your life.
Depending on your viewpoint, you will be left feeling elated or depressed. Ultimately, there are many missing links in the scenario sketched above—not least a description of the software that will manage the availability of your UMTS terminal while simultaneously guarding your private sphere. Moreover, the role of the automobile and the office may change radically if numerous members of the Car2Net generation decide they want to telework from home. But one thing is certain: the scenario is generally correct. Are you starting to feel your age? If so, it may well be a sign that "the times they are a-changin'.""
Again what is important to realize is that telematics is not being developed in a vacuum. The integration of smartphones, PDAs, and platforms such as Java, Bluetooth, and 802.11 are being incorporated into developing a cost conscious telematics experience. (See for example the Johnson Controls Chrysler approach discussed below.)
e.Digital's pre-VoiceTimes involvement and beyond
Prior to the formation of VoiceTimes, in August 1998, e.digital announced that it had signed an agreement to design and develop a digital voice recorder for Intel Corporation. 6/28/99 Falk newsletter: Our Intel product design will also be an important technical achievement for our team. A number of prototypes are being developed to Intel's specifications; they include PC downloading capabilities and can interact with third-party software that performs voice-to-text functions and text-to-voice functions. The integration of these functions with convenient hand-held devices is proving to be a rapid growth area for both business and personal use.
One of the ways interactive automotive companies say new content will get into the car will be via a removable device that syncs up with the driver's home PC. Consumers will have their own personalized portal, where they can select the types of content they want to bring into the car and set them up for download. "We're not talking about real-time browsing in the car or even heavy computing," says Brian Gratch, Motorola's marketing director for its Telematic Communication Group.
In July, 1999, a S.D. newspaper article gives some inkling about the edig/intel project:
e.Digital
POWAY -- "Someday soon, people may be able to harvest news articles, e-mail and other bits of text off the Internet and listen as this information is read aloud from portable devices.
The first steps toward that ambitious goal are happening here, inside the offices of e.Digital Corp. Giant chipmaker Intel is paying the Lilliputian Poway company for research and development costs aimed at making new speech-to-text, text-to-speech gizmos. The project, which began last year but stalled when the companies dumped a third-party technology partner in favor of another unnamed firm, remains hush-hush. The companies won't even reveal drawings of what the device looks like.
Still, Skip Matthews, a senior project development manager for Intel's Memory Components Division, coyly hinted at the project's capabilities. "What if you had a device that could read The Wall Street Journal to you while you're in your car?" he said, declining to elaborate."
Clearly this article demonstrates that at least part of the e.Digital/intel project is focused on telematics. A month later, Skip Matthews "retires" and joins e.Digital's BOD.
8/1/99 Dr. Matthews joins e.Digital's Board upon retirement from a distinguished 25-year career with Intel Corporation with his last position being Senior Project Development Manager. "I was attracted to e.Digital because they were the first to adopt flash memory in an audio recorder. There is great potential for further application of e.Digital's technology in Internet music players and even more advanced audio applications such as speech-to-text and text-to-speech systems."
8/30/99 Falk newsletter update: We are continuing to make significant progress on the Intel voice recorder prototypes with the project taking some interesting new turns into areas of new technology development that we expect will be very beneficial to e.Digital. We remain on track with IBM, Intel, Philips and our other VoiceTIMES Alliance partners in setting new protocols for voice recording in portable digital devices. [NB: Note the use of plural "prototypes". Clearly there is more than one type of device being developed as made clear in Falk's 9/30/99 update when he refers to "new OEM relationships". Also note the reference to Philips who at the time of the formation of VoiceTimes alliance had licensed IBM's TTS technology for use in future products.]
To this date we have not heard any news regarding e.Digital's 1998 project with Intel or the prototypes created therefrom. Is the project dead and buried? Should we just forget about it and move on? What do we know? It is my SPECULATION that the Intel project involved at least two different projects: the initial project involving VR for a PDA/recorder and the new turn being VR integration into a telematics system. (In reality, it is one theme with different corollaries. Time and again, Intel executives have indicated these solutions derive from the same building blocks. See 11/00 Smith comments below for example.)What little facts that we do know is that e.digital had completed its work on the project sometime in 2000, a number of other companies were involved, and edig thought there would be a public announcement about it by the end of 2000. In fact no announcement came. Was this just more "RP/FF carrot BS" which many of you believe is the only thing they have perfected? I don't think so for the following reasons.
I have previously contended that one of the 1998 intel/edig projects was part of the following:
Cadillacs to Get Voice-Activated Calling by Year's End
General Motors to embed cellular services in one million 2001 vehicles
By Lee Copeland and Lee Copeland
(Apr. 17, 2000) General Motors Corp. last week accelerated its drive to provide embedded cellular and Web-based services in its vehicles. The Detroit-based automaker said it will offer a Communiport Infotainment PC system developed by Delphi Automotive Systems Corp. in Troy, Mich., in new Cadillacs by the end of this year.
GM officials touted the cellular system as being safer to use while driving than a phone handset. Using a dashboard-based, voice-activated computer, drivers will be able to listen to e-mail messages and make cellular calls. The system is integrated with the vehicle's radio and also features a CD-ROM drive, a navigation system and a voice memo recorder. Drivers would have to forward messages from their existing messaging system to a GM-based account in order to access them from the road.
http://www.computerworld.com/cwi/Printer_Friendly_Version/0,1212,NAV47_STO44447-,00.html
http://ragingbull.lycos.com/mboard/boards.cgi?board=CLB00154&read=18295
However, in December 2000, GM decided to delay the implementation of the Infotainment PC option until 2001. To the best of my knowledge, it continues to be on indefinite hold.
http://ragingbull.lycos.com/mboard/boards.cgi?board=CLB00154&read=18321
What's happened since then? We again need to back up a little bit and review the Intel and IBM involvement in pervasive computing and telematics in general and then specifically.
http://www.investorshub.com/boards/read_msg.asp?message_id=67769
http://www.investorshub.com/boards/read_msg.asp?message_id=67776
IBM and Telematics
In 2000, IBM was called upon to help the Automotive Multimedia Interface Collaboration, a consortium of 13 automobile manufacturers, select which standards the group needed to define. "We had to walk them through what they should be thinking about, and what technologies they should be looking at," says Raj Desai, the director of IBM's automotive development group. Most notably, auto-makers need to develop an open network standard that lets all of a Net-ready car's more than 60 microprocessors and disparate networks communicate with each other. And because most of the content will reside offline and outside of the car, standards have to begin at the application level, says IBM's Desai.
In addition to these standards, in the end we may see widespread adoption of Java, too. This September, UBS Warburg LLC, a global financial services organization, released a study that endorsed Belgian telematics developer SmartMove's Open Telematics Framework system, which is Java-based. That's an interesting move, considering most of the current telematics systems are based on Windows CE. Some application developers are already taking the Java plunge. Motorola's iRadio, for example, is being developed using current Internet technologies, including Java that runs on Linux.
"IBM is involved in almost every aspect of telematics, working directly with several major automobile manufacturers and with automotive suppliers including Motorola and ATX. IBM’s products and services include embedded computers, embedded Java, speech and voice recognition products like Via Voice, middleware and infrastructure products including WebSphere Everyplace Suite and WebSphere Everyplace Portal, tools and development environments for content and application providers, and hosted portals and services. Among the many telematics activities currently being pursued by automakers and others, IBM is participating in:
· DaimlerChrysler Services/Mobility Management, which provides topical tips for travelers about movies, shows, the arts and dining in the areas they visit, along with navigation aids and parking data.
· ATX’s interactive voice recognition/speech response technology, which uses IBM’s Direct Talk voice processing platform and ViaVoice speech recognition technology.
· PSA Peugeot Citroen’s prototype networked car based on Xsara Picasso, Citroen’s intelligent automotive application.
· Projects with DaimlerChrysler, Motorola, Intel and PSA Peugeot Citroen, all of which are using IBM’s VisualAge Micro Edition embedded Java 2 technology.
· Myautogarage.com from ADP, a Web-based service linking dealers with motorists for easier and faster maintenance and management of their vehicles, which is powered by IBM.
· Motorola’s iRadio offering, which uses a variety of IBM products and services to deliver e-mail and custom entertainment options to automobiles through Motorola cell phone technology."
[This is taken from a May 2001 article written by Raj Desai Director, IBM Worldwide Telematics Solutions. I highly recommend reading the full article: http://www.ebizchronicle.com/columns01/may/telematics.htm.
DELPHI
In 1998, a PR announced that IBM was working with Delphi and SunMicrosytems to develop a "network vehicle" with IBM providing java-based and VR technology. IBM has continued to work with Delphi to develop among other telematics products, the Communiport Infotainment PC. Recently, on February 13, 2002 IBM and Delphi confirmed their ongoing relationship in telematics:
IBM Receives Delphi Business For Next-Gen Multi-Media Car Products
Combines IT, Auto Expertise For Full-Fledged Digital Dashboards
ARMONK, NY, and TROY, MI--(INTERNET WIRE)--Feb 13, 2002 -- IBM (NYSE:IBM - news) announced today that Delphi Automotive Systems has chosen IBM's J9(TM) virtual machine environment, as a foundation technology for the development of automobile multimedia products. These products can enable motor vehicles to communicate in real-time with drivers, dealers, manufacturers and others in the industry's value chain.
Delphi will use the IBM J9 virtual machine environment in the design of new mobile multimedia products that include embedded, real-time control systems using full-motion video, speech and voice processing, Internet and Java(TM) technologies to enhance communications and entertainment applications for original equipment vehicles. Products expected to result from the collaboration range from dashboard control features to information, entertainment, navigation and messaging.....
IBM's embedded virtual machine technology has been developed, deployed and refined for more than a dozen years. In August 2001, IBM was the first to develop and distribute the J9 J2ME "Java Powered" environment simultaneously across multiple platforms. The J9 virtual machine environment has proved in independent testing to provide a high-performance, compact environment for running embedded Java applications across a broad range of processors. Complementing the J9 virtual machine, IBM's VisualAge Micro Edition allows developers to quickly and easily create and deploy e-business applications to automotive Telematics devices, hand-held computers, PDA's and cellular telephones. More information is available at www.ibm.com/embedded.
IBM is the world's largest information technology company, with 80 years of leadership in helping businesses innovate. IBM is among the first companies to offer leading-edge technology and tools to its customers and enable them to deliver advanced Telematics Solutions. Through years of expertise and research in the Automotive industry, IBM and IBM Business Partners have built a flexible and reliable portfolio of software (such as speech recognition and wireless technologies), hardware, IT services, development platforms and innovative tools. Our end-to-end architecture fully integrates open standards. It links both portable and embedded hardware devices to the Internet via wireless networks and leverages Java applications to exchange data to and from the vehicles with Wireless Telematics Service Providers. Addressing issues such as safety, privacy, convenience and connectivity, our in-vehicle information systems and solutions enable our customers to deliver hands-free and eyes-free technology as part of developing invaluable and long-term relationships with their customers. As the Telematics revolution is now gaining momentum in other industries such as Insurance, Petroleum and Commercial market, our vision will prepare our customers for the next generation of e-business infrastructure for many years to come. Please visit our Telematics Solutions site at www.ibm.com/industries/automotive for further details and references.
On October 26, 2001, IBM announced a broad range of new customers, partners and products in its comprehensive strategy to provide voice recognition software for mobile e-business.
New customers and partners span three continents and key targets of IBM's voice business: the automobile industry for telematics, the growing market segment for products and services that deliver wireless voice and data information to vehicles; manufacturers of personal digital assistants and other mobile devices; telephone call centers; and e-businesses of all sizes.
They include major automotive supplier Johnson Controls, which has chosen IBM's Embedded ViaVoice as the speech software for its telematics offerings - including an innovative, voice-enabled communications system that will be deployed by the Chrysler Group.
IBM's voice recognition software relies on open, non-proprietary standards such as VoiceXML and Java, which make it easy to create software for people to access information by voice over the phone and helps businesses integrate disparate systems.
IBM's new customers and partners in telematics:
Plymouth, Mich.-based automotive supplier Johnson Controls has selected IBM as its speech software provider for all of its upcoming telematics offerings to the auto industry. Its first implementation is a voice-enabled mobile communications system for the Chrysler Group. An industry first, the system requires only the push of a button to make a call - all other functions are engaged via voice commnds. It consists of a receiver module behind the dashboard, an embedded microphone in the rear-view mirror, and the driver's own mobile phone. The phone will synchronize with the receiver module to create a wireless connection via Bluetooth technology with the car's audio system. When a call is placed, audio is suspended, and the call comes through the speakers. IBM's software will allow drivers to use spoken commands (in English, French or Spanish) to place calls or access the system's audio address book, customizable by the owner. The system will be available in an aftermarket version in spring 2002 and factory installed in 2003.
Intel is working with IBM's Embedded ViaVoice to support its strategy to deliver a non-proprietary, standards-based in-car platform based on Intel® StrongARM and upcoming Intel® XScale processors. Designed for ultra-low power and high performance, the Intel XScale microarchitecture is an ideal microprocessor solution for telematics.
Hitachi, a worldwide provider of car infotainment systems, is supporting IBM's Embedded Via Voice recognition on Hitachi SH-4-based platforms (HARP) for automotive applications. The hardware platforms are designed to run with all major operating systems.
QNX, a provider of operating systems for automobile electronics, has partnered with IBM for voice recognition. The QNX operating system will support the Embedded ViaVoice product for telematics. Embedded ViaVoice runs on both an operating system and a hardware platform to ensure the two interoperate. Voice-enabled telematics applications developed on the QNX operating system are designed to run on major automotive telematics platforms such as Intel, Hitachi and Motorola.
In the handheld computer market:
Legend Computers, the largest computer company in China, has chosen IBM's Embedded ViaVoice Mobility Suite in simpilfied Chinese to voice-enable its new handheld computers to be available in Q1 2002. The IBM software will give users a natural alternative to the stylus or keyboard in operating the devices, and the added convenience of being able to listen to rather than read information and messages.
On Oct. 4, Compaq announced it is using IBM's Embedded ViaVoice Mobility Suite to voice-enable its new iPAQ H3800 Pocket PC Series, one of the world's first commercially available handheld computers to let users access and receive information with human speech.
MOTOROLA
MOTOROLA Telematics Background
Seventy years ago, Motorola broke new ground by taking the home radio into the car. Since then, the driving experience has never been the same. Today, Motorola is reinventing that in-car experience all over again. Telematics uses existing technologies at which Motorola is expert -- GPS location, wireless voice and data, and on-board computing -- and integrates them in whole new ways.
The Motorola website has an extensive background on telematics and Motorola's current and future roles in this nascent market. http://www.motorola.com/ies/telematics/html/indextd.html
The Lincoln RESCU system was only the beginning. Since RESCU was launched in 1996 -- the result of its efforts with Ford Motor Company -- Motorola has introduced Telematics to many other automakers around the world. With the 2000 model year, Motorola Telematics will be available in hundreds of thousands of cars in the United States and Europe.
Motorola Telematics products are available in a variety of automotive makes and models, ranging from the 2000 Jaguar S-TYPE to over 40 different General Motors vehicles as part of the OnStar System. Motorola's Telematics partners include: BMW, Cadillac, Ford/Lincoln, General Motors,
General Motors Europe/Opel and Vauxhall
Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz USA, Mercedes-Benz/Germany Nissan/Infiniti, Renault, Visteon
Telematics is an emerging market of automotive communications technology that combines wireless voice and data to provide location-specific security, information, productivity, and in-vehicle entertainment services to drivers and their passengers. Today, Telematics systems offer drivers emergency and roadside assistance, air bag deployment notification, navigation, remote door unlock, vehicle security notification and stolen vehicle tracking services. Just as today’s Telematics safety and security features are a direct result of initial consumer demand, future Telematics services will also be a direct result of what drivers want in their cars. These systems may provide customized services such as travel information (traffic updates, parking availability, airline status), messaging (voice mail and email retrieval), information (sports, weather, stock market updates and Internet access) and entertainment (audio games, books, magazines and newspapers). These are only a few of the applications which will evolve with Telematics to keep drivers and their passengers in touch.
In North America, some of these future telematics services are now beginning in GM's Onstar programns known as Virtual Advisor and Personal Calling. Motorola has been the primary integrator or GM's telematics program. Motorola will work with OnStar and Saturn Electronics & Engineering to create in-car Net wireless devices for General Motors vehicles. The company says that its Integrated Electronic Systems Sector will develop the devices, which are expected to be available in virtually every GM car and truck starting with the 2001 model year.
The devices are considered telematics, which combine wireless voice and data capabilities to provide location-specific security information, entertainment and in-car productivity tools. OnStar is a subsidiary of GM that, so far, has created in-car communications capabilities primarily for luxury vehicles. Saturn will manufacture components for the systems. Motorola claims the initiative has a potential value to the company of $1 billion.
IBM and Motorola Telematics Alliance
On 9/14/99, Motorola announced a relationship with QNX Software Systems Ltd., IBM, and Embedded Planet (formerly RPCG) to develop MobileGT Architecture, initially targeted for automotive driver information systems. MobileGT is an open, Java-centric architecture that can allow automobile manufacturers to easily and cost-effectively develop advanced driver information systems to fit their specific platforms. MobileGT's flexible, modular computing platform is scaleable across a wide range of products, allowing automobile manufacturers to leverage a common development approach while providing product differentiation through tailored and system integration. MobileGT can address a wide array of in-vehicle applications -- dynamic navigation, wireless connectivity and Internet access, natural language speech processing, car audio, virtual dashboards, multimedia and more.
MobileGT also incorporates IBM's VisualAge for Embedded Systems, Java(TM) Technology Edition virtual machine and development tools optimized for use with QNX Neutrino. This proven execution environment supports configuration-based deployment of applications, giving the developers the ability to build ultra-compact runtime components.
In follow-up, on January 14, 2000, IBM and Motorola said they will join to develop technology to help automakers add a variety of wireless and Web-based services automobiles.The companies will focus on telematics which includes communications and navigation capabilities such as real-time traffic routing. It also can include Internet capabilities such as e-mail.
The companies note that because cars move, telematics requires a network connection that is both precise and durable. IBM says it will contribute its expertise in computer hardware, software and network management. Beyond those generalities, the companies offered few details, other than to say they already were approaching automotive manufacturers about potential products.
IBM/Mot formed a platform called MobileGT, an easily upgradable computer that can accept peripherals like cell phones, PDAs and other gear that might be used in cars. http://www.eetimes.com/story/OEG20000211S0057 With the coming of AMIC [the Automotive Multimedia Interface Consortium], the industry said it wanted Java, and that became a central theme for our group."
Motorola's iRadio
iRadio represents the next stage of the telematics market. Most of the telematics action is currently taking place at the factory level with such systems as GM's OnStar, Visteon's Vehicle Emergency Messaging System (VEMS), and Lincoln's RESCU system—all of which use Motorola telematics technology to link the vehicle to a monitoring center via a cellular phone. At the basic level, the systems provide roadside assistance and emergency response. More sophisticated systems use global positioning system (GPS) turn-by-turn route guidance, airbag deployment certification, concierge services and remote theft alarm and door unlock capabilities via 24-hour monitoring services
At CES in January 2000, Motorola announced its Internet radio prototype called iRadio, an in-vehicle information and entertainment via wireless Web access. A smart technology to be offered by automakers, Motorola's iRadio will enable drivers to download and listen to digital music on demand; listen to real time traffic reports; download audio books; access voicemail; receive news and weather reports; get updated stock portfolio information and access email. Entertainment also will factor into iRadio. iRadios will sport DVD drives and smart card slots, and iRadio products will tap the Internet for pay-per-view movies, video games, music and e-commerce transactions. These off-board mobile multimedia features will be delivered wirelessly via Web access, satellite, digital cellular, and FM sideband technologies. The iRadio system interface uses advanced voice recognition and text-to-speech technologies to allow drivers to activate the features while keeping their eyes on the road. In addition, the iRadio system can use Bluetooth technology to synchronize with a multitude of personal electronic devices, including cellular phones, PDAs, and pagers.
The framework for iRadio is built upon the safety, security, navigation and concierge services already being delivered to drivers through Motorola telematics capabilities, which combines wireless voice and data technologies, global positioning systems (GPS) and automotive-grade software.
Complete with voice recognition and text-to-speech technologies, iRadio is a wireless Web client device which allows access to content originating from multiple sources, whether via the Web, cellular communications, broadcast and satellite transmissions, or traditional AM/FM bands, among others, including Command Audio and XM Radio. Command Audio's technology lets users who subscribe to its service preselect material they want to listen to and transmits it to cars via FM radio waves.
A fully scalable system, iRadio will provide drivers with a range of service levels, from basic to premium packages, much like ordering Cable TV. In addition, a personalized Web page will enable iRadio to be configured anywhere drivers and passengers have an Internet connection - at home, in the office or the car. For drivers with mobile devices including pagers and Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), data such as address books, calendar functions, and favorite Web bookmarks can be synchronized on demand between iRadio and the device.
"There is also an e-commerce angle that will let people buy things from their car," said Mike Bordelon, vice president of Motorola's telematics computing group. "But to offer that and other features across that space we need one end-to-end solution, and that's where IBM comes in." IBM will provide many of the back-end computing systems and services that will enable iRadio and other concept devices to work. "There are a lot of things that happen in the device that are very much tied to the server," said Jon Prial, director of marketing for IBM's pervasive computing division. "We focus on all that from synchronization, database, messaging and voice technology--all technologies from IBM for enabling the devices."
Motorola is parlaying its roles as a longtime electronics supplier to automakers and that of the world's No. 2 cell-phone manufacturer into dominance in the burgeoning industry of telematics - wireless telecommunications in cars and trucks. Demand for Web-connected cars is projected to help triple the company's telematics sales to about $1 billion in the next three years. And iRadio, which is expected to be installed in luxury cars of the major carmakers by the end of 2001, is only the forerunner of bigger projects still on the drawing board.
"Telematics will be the next air bag in the auto industry." Automakers estimate that 'Net-enabled cars will be standard by 2005. Motorola plans to offer iRadio through car OEMs and aftermarket suppliers, Sokola says. "We imagine that we'll make the insides of many of these products," he says, referring to the Digital DNA components that make these products work, but the company also plans to offer turnkey solutions under its own brand. "Motorola plans to provide both complete solutions and the basic building blocks for iRadio products," he says.
In March, 2000, IBM and Motorola announced plans to join forces to help meet the growing demand for e-businesses worldwide to link data and applications to wireless devices. The companies announced their intent to jointly develop an open, highly scalable offering that will form the basis of a "voice and data engine" which will offer businesses an easy way to develop and access wireless applications and services. For example, carriers could use this offering to allow businesses to provide mobile workers real-time access to email, stock quotes, news, and corporate resources via wireless devices. By combining Motorola's device-aware front-end technology with IBM's middleware technology, this framework will provide optimal wireless data services to businesses around the world.
Mark Bregman, general manager of IBM's Pervasive Computing Division said "Working together with Motorola we will get to market faster with a product that operators need to give their business subscribers what they crave - access to information and services, virtually anytime, anywhere." This relationship builds on the existing collaboration between IBM and Motorola to enable the delivery of innovative new telematics products. In January, the companies announced that they would work together to provide the end-to-end resources to help car manufacturers offer exciting new wireless services to their customers. The agreement builds on the strong position of Motorola's Integrated Electronic Systems Sector (IESS) group with IBM's systems and services expertise.
On January 9, 2001, Motorola announced that it will license Java technology and voice recognition software from IBM, for use in the Motorola Telematics iRadio™ system. The Motorola iRadio™ system is a complete solution that offers a packaged multimedia functionality, which can be accessed at home, in the car and on the individual mobile devices. The Java-based platform allows the product to access personalised, location-based services, real time traffic information, dynamic off-board navigation, music-on- demand, eCommerce options and email. With speech recognition and additional features, Motorola's iRadio system delivers information, communications and entertainment to the car without diverting the driver's attention. Motorola's iRadio offers the latest user interfaces and applications and IBM's VisualAge Micro Edition Java technology. A key feature of IBM's Java technology is that it enables new applications and services to be added and enhanced remotely without inconveniencing consumers.
Motorola is also using IBM Embedded ViaVoice Multiplatform Edition for voice recognition and text-to-speech capabilities.
IBM's ViaVoice enables drivers to use voice commands, as an alternative input to faceplate controls, for accessing information such as weather, news and sports, select a favorite radio station or other iRadio system applications.
On June 11, 2001, the mobileGT Alliance, including eNGENUITY Technologies, IBM, Motorola and QNX Demonstrate A Complete International Development Environment for Driver Information Systems and Announces Hyundai Autonet as First Customer in Asia for mobileGT Architecture. mobileGT-based DIS is the answer to consumer demand for smarter, safer, harder working and more fun cars that can provide help in accidents and navigation, and help keep them in touch with home and office. It can provide a gateway to and from the car, e-calls, Internet and email, on-demand multi-genre digital music broadcast, games and video, and is the basis for the next generation of pervasive consumer services. http://www.investorshub.com/boards/read_msg.asp?message_id=244435
Motorola is staking its Telematics future on collaboration and partnership, not proprietary solutions.
http://www.telematicsupdate.com/homepage2.asp?news=12844
CHRYSLER/JOHNSON CONTROLS
On October 25, 2001, has signed up Intel, IBM, AT&T Wireless, Johnson Controls and Gentex to provide key elements in its telematics drive called U-Connect. DaimlerChrysler chose AT&T as its wireless communications provider; Johnson for Bluetooth wireless-networking technology; Gentex for its microphone and driver communications interface; and IBM for its speech software. Intel's upcoming XScale processors and StrataFlash memory will provide the engine behind all the components allowing them to work together.
Intel has signed a multiyear agreement with the automaker, according to sources, as it brings a new focus to chipmaking, its core business. Intel has been investing in telematics and other businesses that would increase the shipments of its device processors and flash memory. The first of DaimlerChrysler's new telematics offerings will be a cell-phone system that will let a driver use hands-free calling and voice commands. The system will be available as an aftermarket product in the spring of 2002 and will be factory-installed in cars in early 2003.
IBM has closed a deal with Johnson Controls, an auto industry OEM, to provide voice technology for the auto industry OEM's telematics products. First up is the integration of the embedded version of its ViaVoice recognizer with a Johnson Controls Bluetooth-enabled handset for Chrysler's in-car communications network.
Withrow, Director of Telematics, DaimlerChrysler, outlined DaimlerChrysler's "U-Connect" telematics entry product at a media and analyst's briefing held jointly with Johnson Controls at the North American International Auto Show in early January 2002. "Withrow talked about the hardware providers, but I think that probably masks the value that is inherent from second and third tier suppliers in that ultimate product that’s in the vehicle, because clearly a big portion of what we value in our U-Connect product has to do with the voice recognition and Bluetooth, which has both hardware and software sides to it. Though they're not very visible, both IBM and Intel are heavily involved and could stand to gain from this."
U-Connect's system uses very easy voice recognition software, a system that doesn't have to be 'trained' for hours to recognize one key customer's voice. How did DaimlerChrysler set about choosing this voice recognition system?
"Everything we’ve done about putting together U-Connect has been about trying to meet some simple value principles (for telematics): It needs to be simple, needs to be flexible, portability, highly flexible, enhance safe operation of the vehicle. When you begin to talk about simplicity with the operation of the product and the customers interaction with it, you clearly want to be going to a voice recognition system which has very high recognition rates, as well as (being) very, very easy to use. So you need speaker-independent voice recognition, not the trainable variety. And it has to be something customers can learn and operate swiftly, without complexity.
Interestingly, last August, Tom Houy, IBM's Manager of Client Voice Systems, gave the following talk:
Bluetooth and Speech Recognition A Natural Marriage?
The convergence of computing and communications is upon us.
Both voice recognition and Bluetooth are expected to be key enablers of this convergence by solving a major ease of use obstacle for mobile end-users. IBM Voice Systems offer "distributed voice" and is currently the only company that can distribute voice processing throughout an end-to-end mobile solution. Mobile devices range from a simple cellular telephone, to a handheld digital computing device, to full-fledged server computers. The software runs the gamut from real-time operating systems, speech browsers and Java, to server operating systems such as Linux. All of this enables applications to be scaleable across many device types and software platforms. Bluetooth technology makes voice-enabled mobile applications easier to use and will accelerate the use of voice recognition in mobile devices.
bluetooth and telematics
http://www.arcgroup.com/ebrief/2000/bluetooth/ebrief_contents_nolinks.htm.
Johnson Controls Infotainment:
Today’s conventional cockpit systems are only a starting point for completely revisioning this critical area with new and superior capabilities.
With our infotainment systems, we are going beyond the assembly of components to provide complete system integration that will significantly improve the driving experience and the occupants’ access to critical or useful information. Our infotainment systems are an industry-leading combination of audio, multimedia and vehicle data aimed at entertaining and providing vehicle occupants with key information. At Johnson Controls, we are working to become the recognized leader in providing innovative, end-user-driven information and entertainment systems that are safely and seamlessly integrated into automotive interiors.
Johnson Controls' infotainment systems deliver radio, satellite radio, CD/DVD/Removable Memory, MP3, HVAC, trip information, vehicle information, Navigation, RearVision™, and access to news, weather, financial services information, and the Internet.
Johnson Controls' TravelNote® with Memory Stick, BlueConnect
You can extend the convenience of TravelNote all the way to your PC. With the extended memory capability of TravelNote with Memory Stick, vehicle manufacturers can now offer speech-to-text features and the ability to playback recordings on conventional media or tape formats. The Sony Memory Stick is removable media that, with a simple adapter, can also be used with virtually any laptop computer. Features include: Removable Sony Memory Stick integrated with existing TravelNote Digital Voice Recorder;
Records up to 120 minutes of digitally-recorded voice data on a 16 MB Sony Memory Stick; May be operated in parallel with vehicle audio system
On Dec 14, 2001, Wavemakers, a developer of voice optimization software, announced an agreement with Johnson Controls Inc. that will have their WaveBeam(TM), ClearStream(TM) and EchoBlock(TM) software embedded in Johnson Controls' Bluetooth wireless-networking solutions. Together with Johnson Controls, Wavemakers joins Intel, IBM, AT&T Wireless, Gentex and QNX to provide innovative telematics solutions and services. Wavemakers is a member of the VoiceTimes alliance.
Several automotive manufacturers have already adopted the Gentex microphone technology and are currently working to integrate it into their vehicles. DaimlerChrysler was the first to announce that it will use a Gentex microphone as part of the Chrysler Group's recently announced hands-free, voice-recognition communications system, which the company plans to factory-install on various vehicles beginning in early 2003.
INTEL
At the same time IBM and Motorola announced its telematics relationship, so did IBM and Intel; Motorola said it would support the IBM/Intel work. On 1/25/00 Intel and IBM announced they are collaborating on in-car computing products that will enable automakers to provide wireless and Web-based services such as navigation, communication, and information. IBM will provide its Pervasive Computing software, which is a suite of advanced software for managing the in-vehicle information systems. The software suite includes IBM's VisualAge MicroEdition, which incorporates embedded Java, as well as voice-recognition and text-to-speech functions. This software is used, along with interfaces to the vehicle, to communicate information to the driver and the outside world via the Internet. The companies said Motorola Inc. will also support the venture.
IBM and Intel officials said the partnership won't compete with carmakers or auto suppliers developing technology to create Web-enabled vehicles. In fact, they're potential customers. "Automakers and their suppliers are our partners," said Walt Davison, IBM's marketing executive for the automotive industry. "We're not competing with them; we're doing what we do best to help them do what they do best." IBM expects automakers to start offering vehicles with in-car computing systems next year. "The earliest consumers will see vehicles with in-car computing systems on the road will be in 18 months," Desai said.
http://detnews.com/2000/technology/0002/10/02100040.htm
IBM claims: Automotive pervasive computing is a reality -- where people use ViaVoice speech recognition and text-to-speech software to interact with their automobiles the same way that they interact with their computers. IBM is working with automobile manufacturers so that drivers can run diagnostics from the road, search the Internet for a stock price and even make a service appointment with the manufacturer simply by speaking to their e-mail.
In July 2000, IBM announced that engineers and developers can now deploy connected Java language-based solutions across a wider array of embedded targets using IBM's VisualAge Micro Edition tools, class libraries and virtual machines. While VisualAge Micro Edition remains optimized for QNX's Neutrino real-time operating system, IBM has also added support for the iTRON industrial real time operating system and Microsoft Windows CE in response to customer requests.(Regarding iTron, see this 1/01 Redhat PR re DELPHI: "Red Hat eCos (Embedded Configurable Operating System) will be used in several Telematics products and has been selected for Delphi's recently announced "Mobile Productivity Center" (MPC), which is a platform for users of PDA's and Cellular phones. The Delphi MPC allows for hands-free operation of personal electronics like PDAs, along with seamless interface with popular cellular phones.... Delphi came to us with specific requirements that included a Linux application interface and uITRON API compatibility, and we were able to quickly leverage our extensive technical expertise to deliver a cost-effective, single solution that we believe will meet their needs." (IBM is a strong supporter of Linux.)http://www.redhat.com/about/presscenter/2001/press_delphi.html.
"Engineering decisions in the connected post-PC world must focus on customer choice. From the start, IBM designed and built VisualAge Micro Edition for portability and compatibility with published specifications," said Skip McGaughey, IBM director of embedded systems sales and marketing. "As our customers have approached us for new CPU, RTOS and development platform support, we have responded quickly, thanks to our investment in innovation and advanced technology."
Pervasive computing projects will require client and server components that run on multiple embedded targets.
Support for the ARM processor architectures is now included in VisualAge Micro Edition. This includes StrongARM SA-110 and SA-1110 processors and development reference boards from Intel.
from Intel's website:
The PVA Arrives
September 22, 2000
An emerging category of wireless Internet client devices is designed to make the in-vehicle wireless Internet experience feature-rich and easy to use. It is called the Personal Vehicle Assistant, or PVA. Similar to its hand-held PDA counterpart, the PVA is a Web-enabled wireless Internet consumer electronic device with the power to make a wide range of Internet services available anywhere, at any time.
For PVA users, these services can include two-way voice communications, e-mail, personalized news, navigation, traffic data and roadside assistance services, in addition to a wide spectrum of personal productivity and entertainment applications. For ergonomics, the PVA will enable hands-free operation with a basic user interface as simple as a car radio. Entertainment opportunities will enhance the drive-time experience, with MP3 digital audio for drivers and DVD movies for rear seat passengers.
http://www.intel.com/design/wireless/telematics/pva.htm
Two powerful trends are driving the rapid growth of the Internet. The first of these trends is the expansion of the wireless Internet, with its promise of "anytime, anywhere" connectivity to an ever-wider array of compelling applications for personal communications, information, productivity and entertainment. In his keynote address at the Fall 2000 Intel Developer Forum, Ron Smith, vice president and general manager of Intel's Wireless Communications and Computing Group, used the term "e-Everywhere" to describe this growing set of consumer expectations.
This trend also involves the convergence of voice, data and multimedia streams over the Internet. With the growing availability of wireless Internet services, consumers are becoming accustomed to voice, data and multimedia communications, e-mail, Web browsing, and mobile commerce (m-Commerce) applications that are always-on and always-connected. Wireless solutions from Intel are helping to make a wide range of services available through easy to use hand-held devices in a host of form factors, ranging from feature-rich cell phones to wireless Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) and personal vehicle assistants.
Today there is another powerful trend: the growing availability of wireless Internet services in vehicles. It is called "telematics," the term for the market segment that includes cellular voice and Internet services in vehicles. Just as the PDA makes the wireless Internet available in hand-held devices that can be used away from the desktop, Telematics extends the reach of the wireless Internet, making Internet services available during the periods we spend commuting and traveling by car.
The compelling user experiences provided by the wireless Internet have captured the attention of automobile manufacturers, equipment OEMs and developers, who are working to deliver a range of in-vehicle wireless Internet solutions.
The personal vehicle assistant makes drive-time more productive:
Navigation applications will take the guesswork out of reaching new destinations, while real-time traffic notification systems will help drivers arrive at their destination sooner.
Personalized information services will keep drivers and passengers up to the minute with the latest news, financial and business data.
A new set of "m-Commerce" applications may be used to reserve hotel rooms, purchase event tickets, make restaurant reservations, or even automatically pay highway and bridge tolls.
Emergency services will be available, such as roadside assistance and automatic collision notification systems. In addition, voice-activated communications will keep drivers in touch, all while the driver keeps his or her eyes on the road.
Entertainment opportunities will enhance the drive-time experience, with MP3 digital audio for drivers and DVD movies for rear seat passengers.
On 10/16/00, Intel announced plans to collaborate with IBM* to deliver a non-proprietary, standards-based in-car client platform for the expanding Telematics market segment. This collaboration will speed up the delivery of a complete set of Telematics client reference kits supporting the Intel® XScale™ microarchitecture. These kits will enable developers and original equipment manufacturers to reduce their time to market and create leading-edge wireless applications. IBM's popular VisualAge® Micro Edition Java™ application development tools and deployment technologies allow developers to quickly and easily leverage existing applications for e-Business.
Telematics is the market segment that includes cellular voice and Internet services in vehicles. Examples of in-car computing devices and services include navigation systems, emergency roadside assistance, and an array of entertainment applications and services.
Intel's support of IBM's embedded Java application development environment, Java class libraries and the J9 virtual machine for Intel's Xscale microarchitecture reference platforms provides Telematics developers and OEMs with a highly portable and reusable platform. "We are pleased to provide the burgeoning Telematics application development industry and OEMs with what are arguably the strongest wireless building blocks in the industry," said Pat Kerrigan, marketing manager at Intel's In-Car Computing Operation.
"Automotive computing is an important and growing market segment that both Intel and IBM serve with advanced technology and products," said Skip McGaughey, director of marketing and sales for IBM's OTI embedded system group. "With this announcement, IBM takes the important step to broaden VisualAge Micro Edition to embrace Intel's Xscale microarchitecture. www.intel.com/design/wireless/telematics/converge.htm.
From the 11/00 interview with Intel's Ron Smith, VP of wireless:
KAREN LAKE: Talk to us about the Internet being accessible from the car and where that's going. Is that in your department?
RON SMITH: Yes, that is actually in my department because by definition if you're going to have access from a car, it needs to be wireless and it is in a wide area network because you're not going to be driving your car inside a building. You're going to be driving your car out on the highway.
This is a real exciting area. There are a lot of new things that are going on here. They have already crafted a name for this called telematics. Don't ask me the origin of that name because I don't know.
KAREN LAKE: Telematics is the market segment that includes cellular, voice and Internet services in vehicles. I interrupted you. Please keep going.
RON SMITH: That's right, it's in vehicles. It started out with these emergency services like OnStar, which is actually a call back, a voice service. But now people want to move toward more information services to bring the same kind of capability, Internet access, the location-based services, and so on, to a vehicle. We are actively engaged in that. In fact, just recently we announced a relationship with IBM with their VisualAge capability to help bring some more of that software interface directly to these kinds of devices. We have a number of things going on with a number of manufacturers. Of course, none of them are public yet so I can't really talk about them.{GUESS INTEL IS EVEN SUBJECT TO NDAS!}
KAREN LAKE: Is there really any difference in the technology from a car vs. a PDA vs. a cellular phone? Are they all just adaptations of each other?
RON SMITH: They're all just adaptations of each other. You have the same kinds of requirements. You have to be able to maintain the data when the power goes off.
KAREN LAKE: And that's the Flash memory thing.
RON SMITH: Right. So, you need a Flash memory. You want a low power environment with relatively high performance like you'd get with our XScale microarchitecture. In a battery-operated device, it's pretty obviously needed because you can't drain the battery in a car. You don't want to be draining the car battery, but there are a lot more Amp hours, if you will, in a car battery. But if you're going to store it in a dashboard of a car, you have a lot of space constraints. You can't afford to have cooling hardware associated with that because it's going to be packed into a dashboard with all kinds of other things. So it amounts to the same kind of technology requirements.
CONCLUSION: It is undisputable that IBM and Intel are working together in the telematics arena using a Java-based platform and that Intel and IBM together are working with Motorola in support of Motorola's MobileGT architecture which is Java-centric.
On March 20, 2001, Intel Corporation and IBM announced that Intel has selected IBM as the premier provider of embedded software for its Intel® Personal Internet Client Architecture (Intel PCA) for wireless devices and other Internet appliances. The two companies will work together to deliver standards-based hardware and software solutions for next-generation, Internet-ready devices, targeting device manufacturers, application developers and carriers.
IBM will support Intel PCA by porting IBM's WebSphere Everyplace Suite Embedded Edition, which is cross-platform embedded middleware, and tools for devices to the Intel StrongARM* processor and future processors based on Intel XScale™ microarchitecture. Intel will feature and distribute IBM's device middleware with its Intel PCA software developer kit and hardware reference design guide that will be issued to the industry later this year. Embedded middleware manages communications, enables content and service creation and provides secure, reliable transactions between a device and a backend server.
"In the PC era, there was one predominant platform. Today, there are many different devices, and as everyday items from phones to cars to appliances are becoming more intelligent, open standards are crucial to ensure common interfaces, applications and services across them," said Michel Mayer, general manager of IBM's Pervasive Computing Group. "IBM will continue working with leading vendors, like Intel, so that our products support different platforms, including IBM's own PowerPC microprocessor."
Last October, Intel and IBM teamed to deliver an in-car client reference platform featuring IBM VisualAge Micro Edition Toolkit support for the Intel XScale microarchitecture. Today's announcement expands this effort to include personal digital assistants, web tablets, cell phones and other Internet-ready devices.
On April 11, 2001, Intel Corporation announced that leading in-car computing software platform vendors are delivering support for the Intel StrongARM processor and future processors based on the Intel XScale microarchitecture. Microsoft Corp., IBM, QNX Software Systems Ltd., Wind River Systems, Inc., Fonix Corporation and Lernout & Hauspie Speech Products N.V. are supporting the Intel StrongARM and Intel XScale microarchitectures to enable developers and original equipment manufacturers to reduce "time-to-market" and create sophisticated in-car, voice-enabled wireless applications.
The core software platform recipe for devices in the in-car computing, or telematics, market segment consists of open, scaleable software platforms, extensible and comprehensive development tools and such key complementary technologies -as speech recognition. These combined elements are necessary to deliver adaptable, scaleable telematics devices that will enable and enhance applications and services for the automotive industry. "Our customers asked for each of these solutions by name," said Pat Kerrigan, director for Intel's In-Car Computing Operation. "We feel we have secured industry-wide support from key players to maximize the benefits of the Intel® Personal Internet Client Architecture and to provide our mutual customers with the best telematics development platforms available."
In-car computers based on Intel's chips could begin shipping as soon as the second half of 2002, the company said. The systems will use Intel's StrongARM--and later its XScale--processors, as well as speech-based user interfaces, Pat Kerrigan, director of Intel's in-car computing unit, said Wednesday. The unit is part of Intel's Wireless Communications and Computing Group. "We're working with the big guys in consumer electronics, as well as trying to understand the...needs of the automobile manufactures," Kerrigan said.
The company is also serving its own needs. As it moves into telematics, Intel sees the possibility of boosting chip sales.
"From our (processor) building-block perspective, it's all the same stuff" as in a cell phone or handheld, "just with a different bezel," Kerrigan said. Intel is working with consumer electronics companies such as Sony and Clarion, as well as with automakers to develop a range of in-car computers--from very basic ones for communication and navigation to full-on Internet-based entertainment and commerce systems.
Intel enlisted Microsoft for its Windows CE operating system; QNX for its QNX operating system and development tools; and Wind River Systems for VxWorks OS, tools and Java technology. The trio will, in turn, support Intel's Integrated Performance Primitives, a software library for speech, image and signal processing, as well as multimedia such as MP3 and MPEG files. Intel turned to IBM to provide, among other things, the middleware that will allow in-car computers to work with large communication networks. IBM, Fonix and Lernout & Hauspie will offer speech-recognition software that can allow drivers to use voice commands to operate their in-car computers.
Ron Smith Keynote
Intel Developer Forum, Spring 2001
April 17, 2001
Throughout this conference you'll be hearing about our plans, you'll be hearing about our four architectures for the Internet. The second architecture is the handheld client, something we call the Personal Intel Client Architecture or PCA. It's really for handheld computing and communication devices.... One that just recently joined the fold was IBM Corporation, and they're going to work together with Intel to enable PCA-based Internet-ready wireless devices and applications. And IBM is going to port its new WebSphere Everyplace suite, which is the embedded edition of it, it's part of their pervasive computing initiative, to the Intel Personal Internet Client Architecture. And this will provide a set of embedded client middleware for handheld and wireless solutions. And Intel will feature and distribute these with the middleware and tools to developers in our forthcoming PCA software development tool kit.
On September 27, 2001, Intel unveiled the Intel Telematics Design Center to provide Web-based development and technical support to developers working on in-car information systems. The Intel Telematics Operation comes under the auspices of the vendor's Personal Internet Client Architecture (PCA), which is aimed at the cellphone, PDA and mobile Internet device market. Intel has been helping large partners develop custom telematics products for the past five to seven years, but now the company will open its doors to other smaller developers.
An Intel spokesperson said the base architecture for PCA is easily applicable to the telematics market, with its heavy emphasis on low-power, high-performance chips, flash memory and wireless connectivity. He added that Bluetooth would be a key wireless architecture in telematics, for example in allowing cellphones to connect to in-car devices. Intel is already working with customers that make cars, and is shipping product, the spokesperson said. However, none of these customers is likely to reveal themselves before the end of this year he said.
Thilo Koslowski, a Gartner analyst, said Intel is making a smart move. "This is the right time to get in because (telematics) is an emerging market. All the automakers and network carriers are coming up with their solutions," Koslowski said.
Intel's Role
Intel has made a major commitment to the expansion of the wireless Internet, including technologies and industry investments that support innovative personal vehicle assistant product development. Intel's Wireless Communications and Computing Group is working to develop and enhance the wireless Internet experience for end users.
One way to enhance personal vehicle assistant capabilities is through higher integration and lower total system cost. To meet these goals, Intel has made technology investments in the areas of signal processing, baseband, control and application processing, as well as power and memory management. (Clearly, one area that intel and edig are playing a role is with Motorola and IBM's development of the MobileGT architecture and the integration of a reasonably cost effective telematics solution.)
Earlier, I linked IBM's Visual Age java being used in the Mobile GT telematics solution to Intel's new XScale architecture. Intel has specifically announced the XScale Microarchitecture is ideal for Personal Vehicle Assistants. http://www.intel.com/design/wireless/telematics/xscale.htm.
"Designed for ultra-low power and high performance, Intel® XScale™ microarchitecture is the ideal microprocessor core design solution for personal vehicle assistants. This will enhance the automotive wireless Internet experience with high performance, scalability, and ultra-low power consumption.
High Performance The Intel XScale microarchitecture delivers industry leading mW/MIPS performance, based on Intel's 0.18 micron semiconductor process technology. It delivers the processing power required for high-performance Telematics applications including 3D navigation systems and multimedia."
In short, Intel and IBM have developed a telematics platform solution which clearly includes VR applications sounding very much like the intel-edig vtt project. Additionally, the voice-enabled PALM snap-on module described in detail on the IBM VoiceTimes webpage sounds like further prototypes related to the intel-edigital project.
Voice-enabled PDA
In early 2000, IBM began demonstrating a voice enabled PDA.
In February 2000 W.S. "Ozzie" Osborne, general manager of IBM Voice Systems demonstrated a prototype of its Personal Speech Assistant (PSA)/ Personal voice Assistant (PVA)at IBM's Santa Teresa Laboratory in San Jose. Some 2500 research scientists are exploring voice technologies throughout IBM. At this same press briefing, IBM previewed a speech console on the dashboard of a Chrysler that communicates with the driver about the condition of the car.
The PSA/PVA is a snap-on speech recognition base for Palm devices. A prototype contains a speaker, earphone jack, microphone, and -- most importantly -- a coprocessor that provides the necessary computing power to support voice technologies such as speech recognition and text-to-speech. Using IBM's Personal Speech Assistant application, you can navigate through a to-do list, execute several hundred commands, and access your address book. For example, you can say, "Find Bill Smith," and the contact record for Bill Smith opens on-screen.
Dictating a memo is as simple as holding down the record button and speaking into the unit's microphone. The prototype stores audio files in the base's 4MB of flash memory; IBM's compression scheme can contain 30 minutes of audio. The base can also be designed to accommodate removable media such as Compact Flash cards or even a 340MB IBM Microdrive. When you sync the handheld with your desktop PC, IBM's ViaVoice engine on your desktop automatically transcribes the audio clip and uploads the transcript to the handheld. Though not unwieldy, a prototype base adds slightly to the weight and length of an IBM WorkPad unit (running the Palm OS), as demonstrated.
Now, recall FF's 6/99 statement: "Our Intel product design will also be an important technical achievement for our team. A number of prototypes are being developed to Intel's specifications; they include PC downloading capabilities and can interact with third-party software that performs voice-to-text functions and text-to-voice functions. The integration of these functions with convenient hand-held devices is proving to be a rapid growth area for both business and personal use.
In early March 2000. IBM again demoed the PSA at the Mobile Insights conference. Here is a short article reporting about this event:
IBM Puts Voice on Palm
IBM announces ViaVoice version for handhelds, non-PC devices (like cars).
Ephraim Schwartz, InfoWorld
Wednesday, March 08, 2000
As mobility moves the market for processing cycles off the desktop and into the palm, IBM Tuesday took a major step in offering a useable interface for devices with limited keyboards. The company announced an embedded version of its ViaVoice speech engine for handhelds and other nontraditional devices.
At the Mobile Insights 2000 conference here, Big Blue demonstrated its speech recognition and text-to-speech technology on a Palm III personal digital assistant. The Personal Speech Assistant prototype shown on stage was attached to the back of a Palm III, similar to other Palm III add-ons. Inside the PSA unit was the Embedded ViaVoice software, optimized for both the Palm OS and an NEC embedded processor.
In the demonstration, billed as only a technology demo, IBM official David Barnes made numerous voice-command and control calls to the unit, which responded by verifying appointments, taking short messages, and translating selected words into Spanish and Japanese.
Barnes reiterated that IBM is not interested in making the hardware but that its speech division will license the embedded speech software development kit to developers working on almost any platform.
The SDK includes recognition for 500 words, enough for most command and control functions, as well as unlimited text-to-speech capability for reading e-mail messages.
As part of the unit, flash memory was used to store longer voice episodes, which according to Barnes could then be hot-synced via the Palm cradle to a desktop that included a full version of ViaVoice. The desktop version would convert the voice .wav files to text and automatically send them back to the Palm.
IBM would not say which hardware vendors may create products, but a number of PDA as well as car manufacturers are interested.
http://www.pcworld.com/resource/printable/article.asp?aid=15638
Read comments about the IBM PSA project from Paul Fernhout, who personally worked on the project: http://www.investorshub.com/boards/read_msg.asp?message_id=94339
In 3/00 IBM followed up this demonstration with the release of an embedded version of its ViaVoice speech engine for handhelds. Additionally, IBM's embedded ViaVoice will enable other devices, such as cars and telephones themselves, to take voice commands. Recall Ron Smith's comments made 8 months later that the technology used in the car, PDA, and phone are substantially the same.
NEC-a VoiceTimes member
Did you note the reference to a NEC processor above? At first I was bothered by this reference thinking that maybe this is not an intel/edig project. However, I now realize that IBM's PDA, the WorkPad z50 is powered by a NEC MIPS 131 MHz (5) processor, has 16MB RAM standard, (upgradable to 48 MB) and 20MB (6) ROM. It includes an integrated 33.6Kbps (7) modem, serial port, SVGA external port, speaker, microphone and Infrared port for wireless transfer of data between desktop PCs and other mobile devices. IBM Mobile Connect, an IBM pervasive computing application, helps to improve performance by synchronizing Palm OS and Windows CE-based devices directly with corporate networks, moving synchronization from an individual's desktop PC to a company's server. Also, remember that NEC is now also a member of the VoiceTimes alliance.
Additionally, voice recognition software requires more power than an NEC processor provides. Recently, I came across message board posts relating to an NEC laptop:
re NEC MobilePro 790 October 19, 2000
The reason why NEC won't be (apparently) using one of their own processors in the next-generation HPC2000 MobilePro 790 is that the NEC VR processor has a maximum clock speed of 168Mhz.
A quote from a reliable source at NEC ref the new HPC 2000 offering for NEC.
"The new NEC 790 significantly improves on the fine attributes of the NEC 780. New features include 64MB 50 mhz SDRAM, a TFT color screen and magnesium alloy case. Overall dimensions remain generally the same as the NEC 780. Boasting a StrongArm 206 Mhz processor, this is the system to beat in this form factor."
The IBM's VoiceTimes' alliance webpage made a special point of discussing the PVA and survey results taken:
"IBM Voice Systems presented a Technology Concept Demo at Mobile Insights 2000 (MI2000) that featured a voice-enabled IBM WorkPad handheld computer. This concept demo was dubbed the "PVA" (Personal Voice Assistant). The PVA demo was created as a concept demo, designed to demonstrate voice recognition technology in a handheld device. IBM made no promise to announce the PVA as a product, nor did IBM make any guarantee to announce a voice-enabled handheld device in the future.
The PVA demo was voted best of show. The demo showcased award-winning IBM Embedded ViaVoice technology that was used to activate standard PDA tasks such as Address Book, To-do List, Memo, Calendar, etc. Attendee feedback demonstrated that smart handheld devices (SHDs) such as PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants) can be used more effectively when users are able to interact with them using voice commands.
The IBM PVA Demo showcased voice input and Text-To-Speech (TTS) output. It was shown on a lab-built cradle that housed a microphone, speaker, battery and the LRCC (Low Resource Command and Control) IBM ViaVoice Speech Engine. A Palm III or a Palm V could be snapped into the cradle through the onboard serial port. The hardware shown was conceptual in nature and was designed only to demonstrate the function and capabilities of voice-enabling.
Recently, e.Digital made public for the first time a design win in the telematics market.
January 7, 2002- e.Digital Corporation and Eclipse by Fujitsu Ten announced today that the companies have collaborated for several months to develop and deliver state-of-the-art automotive OEM and aftermarket infotainment systems integrating the latest digital audio, voice recognition, data storage, video, and wireless Internet technologies for sale under the Eclipse brand name. This includes integration of onboard cellular phone, GPS, video, and audio into a single voice-controlled automotive system. Technology development will include navigation and control as well as wireless access and integration with home networks."
As many of you know, I have been looking into e.digital's possible involvement in the telematics market for almost two years. I confess and acknowledge that I was surprised by the announcement with Fujitsu Ten. Something you should keep in mind when reading the remainder of this. So is that it, did I miss the boat in my previous ruminations on this topic. I think not but only time will tell--but we are not too far off now.
So if anyone is interested, I have decided to put on my "longtooth" and update some prior ramblings on the topic-- may be even in time for the 2/19/02 edig CC. Recent communications from e.digital's management would suggest in fact that its telematics agenda is becoming one of its important markets.
January 16, 2002
Automotive Business
"We were pleased to announce last week an automotive product developed and designed through our collaboration with Eclipse by Fujitsu Ten. The Eclipse by Fujitsu Ten automotive product (MP-3 Changer) introduced at CES represents the first automotive system incorporating e.Digital's MicroOS and VoiceNav(TM) technologies. In addition to the design shown at the Eclipse by Fujitsu Ten booth, e.Digital demonstrated an advanced prototype of the product utilizing a beta version of its MicroOS 3.0 which enables music files to be remotely transferred from a PC to the player via 802.11 wireless protocol.
The Eclipse by Fujitsu Ten product is the first of several major opportunities for our technology to be included in next-generation automotive infotainment systems. Infotainment systems are part of the automotive telematics market, which is expected to be worth over $1.1 billion in 2002, and projected to grow 16-fold by 2006. (Telematics Research Group). There is significant interest among several automotive electronics manufacturers and suppliers in e.Digital's digital data management and wireless infotainment solutions. Automotive infotainment and telematics applications are expected to generate substantial licensing, NRE fees, and royalties for your Company. Each OEM agreement may also include revenue for manufacturing services, warranty services, marketing, customer service, order fulfillment, and technical support services."
February 11, 2002
Automotive Business
"The burgeoning automotive telematics market is a strategic target for our immediate and long-term business expansion. e.Digital technology, including our MicroOSTM file management system and our VoiceNavTM user-independent speech recognition interface, enables automotive OEMs and ODMs to incorporate additional features and successfully meet safety objectives in automotive telematics and infotainment solutions.
Automotive telematics is the wireless exchange or delivery of communication, information, and other content between the auto and/or occupants and external sources....Based on over two years of internal development, and growing interest in our VoiceNav and MicroOS technologies, we are making automotive telematics solutions a primary focus of our OEM and ODM technology development and marketing efforts.
Based on the work we have done and continue to do, we are expanding our business in this area and taking advantage of significant near-term and long-term revenue opportunities available to us. The revenue opportunities from the automotive telematics applications of our products and technologies is potentially far greater than even those from portable consumer devices, both in royalties and margins."
As e.digital has acknowledged, this is not an area of business that it just dreamed up and started a few months back with Fujitsu. I would suggest e.digital's beginnings in this area were an outgrowth of the VoiceTimes' alliance and its previous dealings with Intel and IBM which no doubt led to it being included as an inaugural member of VoiceTimes.
VoiceTimes alliance
April 13, 1999 – e.Digital Corporation along with IBM, Intel and other leaders in speech recognition and mobile technologies today announced at the DemoMobile 99 conference the formation of the Voice Technology Initiative for Mobile Enterprise Solutions (VoiceTIMES)....With the explosive growth of mobile devices and the increasing demand for network access, the VoiceTIMES initiative was formed to define specifications for how voice commands and information are transmitted and received by existing and future mobile devices.
''We believe VoiceTIMES will allow e.Digital to expand development of speech-based mobile information gathering devices and leverage our product designs in to many additional industry solutions.'' (Falk} ''In today's world of pervasive computing, users want simple, fast and hassle free mobile computing devices to connect and communicate.'' said W.S. ''Ozzie'' Osborne, general manager of IBM Speech Systems. ''Through joint collaboration, the VoiceTIMES alliance aims to eliminate complexities for the consumer and solutions integrator, while providing future generations of standard compliant speech-enabled mobile products. VoiceTIMES will allow mobile users to compute — anytime, anywhere.
Q: How does this fit into the mobile industries overall strategy?
A: Just like with VXML, Java and the Internet, VoiceTIMES is driving open standards technology to one day eliminate the complexity of doing business. Through pervasive computing, VoiceTIMES hopes to create an infrastructure to provide open standards for the mobile industry, including telematics.
What VoiceTimes and the concept of pervasive computing should teach you is that you CANNOT look at the concept of telematics in an isolated vacuum apart from the rest of mobile communications. For example, shortly before Voicetimes, in January 1999 IBM performed a focus group market survey regarding 3 voice driven mobile products which results were posted on IBM's Voicetimes website:
Selected Survey Results
Three 'Concepts' were discussed:
1]an 'Add-on' device to a current PDA (i.e., Palm III or Palm V),
2]an 'embedded' version that had the speech technology built-in to the device,(think telematics)
3]a smartphone with onboard PDA-type functions.
Immediate access to information was PVA/PDA enthusiasts' leading desire for voice-activated usage, while 'being able to contact others' was the leading desire for smartphone users. Most participants agreed that 'hands-free'/'eyes-free' operation was the feature that they found most important. The results of the survey concluded that adding voice to PDAs and Smartphones is the next 'natural' step for enhancing smart handheld devices, and it supports the VoiceTIMES vision to expand Voice Technology. Clearly the "hands-free/eyes-free" killer application is best designed for the telematics market.
If you will recall, a few months later Intel announces its own PVA- Personal Vehicle Assistant. In fact, over 1 1/2 years ago wtmgyes wrote IBM about VoiceTimes and received the following response:
"The products we announced can and will use VoiceTIMES
specification verified devices. VoiceTIMES is the initiative to create open specifications for mobile devices. The specifications that VoiceTIMES is currently working on and will be working on in the future will be used to access the mobile Internet through our software.
Perfect examples are our voice-enabled automotive solution and the PVA. Both solutions use the VoiceTIMES specification for their internet access devices."
Tom Houy
Manager, Client Systems Marketing
IBM Speech Systems
1555 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd.
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
http://ragingbull.lycos.com/mboard/boards.cgi?board=EDIG&read=364361&x=11&y=7
In connection with writing this post, I came across an article from a German magazine posted on Siemens website which contains the following which I believes exemplifies the concept that telematics will be looked at as one part of mobile communications. (Siemens is an important member of Bluetooth's Special Interest Group (SIG), a collection of wireless telecommunications and computing leaders. This group was founded in 1998 by Ericsson, IBM, Intel, Nokia, and Toshiba to create a global specification for short-range, wireless connectivity. Here's the excerpt:
"What, then, might a normal working day look like once the promise of third-generation mobile communications has been fulfilled? Over breakfast, you might take in the latest news from the Internet on your e-book. Meanwhile, your personal digital assistant (PDA)—a UMTS terminal—coordinates the family rota for the coffee machine. With time running short, you send back unread articles to the PDA, which saves them for later. You then leave the house, having instructed the terminal to lock the door.
Once in the garage, the PDA automatically transmits your id, unlocks the vehicle and immediately consults your diary in order to work out the best route. Out on the road, it's time for a little music. So you whistle a melody into your PDA, which immediately begins an Internet search for an appropriate piece of music. At the same time, it puts through an important call from a colleague at work.
Having arrived at the office, the terminal checks for any extra appointments with the computer at your desk. It turns out you have a new customer. Naturally, electronic business cards are automatically exchanged during the first conversation. Meanwhile, a video conference organized by your PDA with engineers in France helps you to clear up a technical problem.
In this way, the working day proceeds smoothly, periodically interrupted by WAP sport and market news. By the time you're ready to leave the office, the terminal has already brought your diary up to date and booked a table at your favorite restaurant. As you head for the allotted table, a discrete tone in your breast pocket announces that the PDA has received the menu. Should you decide to activate your terminal, your favorite dish will appear at the top of the list of those on offer.
Later, as you approach your car to drive home, the vehicle door opens automatically, your favorite radio station comes on and the seat adjusts to your ideal position. Any e-mails received are read out, and the answering machine back home is checked for messages. All this could one day be possible thanks to the Voicetimes project, which enables the information terminal to handle speech in three ways: A speaker-recognition function protects the equipment against unauthorized use, just like a pin code. Voice synthesis allows information to be conveyed in the form of speech—for example, a traffic warning to drivers. Finally, speech recognition makes the keyboard redundant.
When you arrive back home, the door opens and the latest news from your favorite electronic newspaper appears on a screen. While you are reading, the coffee machine goes into action and notes important messages for the rest of the family via a Bluetooth interface.
By way of relaxation, the terminal then shows you the latest edition of new world, which contains an article describing how the fourth generation of communications technology is going to revolutionize your life.
Depending on your viewpoint, you will be left feeling elated or depressed. Ultimately, there are many missing links in the scenario sketched above—not least a description of the software that will manage the availability of your UMTS terminal while simultaneously guarding your private sphere. Moreover, the role of the automobile and the office may change radically if numerous members of the Car2Net generation decide they want to telework from home. But one thing is certain: the scenario is generally correct. Are you starting to feel your age? If so, it may well be a sign that "the times they are a-changin'.""
Again what is important to realize is that telematics is not being developed in a vacuum. The integration of smartphones, PDAs, and platforms such as Java, Bluetooth, and 802.11 are being incorporated into developing a cost conscious telematics experience. (See for example the Johnson Controls Chrysler approach discussed below.)
e.Digital's pre-VoiceTimes involvement and beyond
Prior to the formation of VoiceTimes, in August 1998, e.digital announced that it had signed an agreement to design and develop a digital voice recorder for Intel Corporation. 6/28/99 Falk newsletter: Our Intel product design will also be an important technical achievement for our team. A number of prototypes are being developed to Intel's specifications; they include PC downloading capabilities and can interact with third-party software that performs voice-to-text functions and text-to-voice functions. The integration of these functions with convenient hand-held devices is proving to be a rapid growth area for both business and personal use.
One of the ways interactive automotive companies say new content will get into the car will be via a removable device that syncs up with the driver's home PC. Consumers will have their own personalized portal, where they can select the types of content they want to bring into the car and set them up for download. "We're not talking about real-time browsing in the car or even heavy computing," says Brian Gratch, Motorola's marketing director for its Telematic Communication Group.
In July, 1999, a S.D. newspaper article gives some inkling about the edig/intel project:
e.Digital
POWAY -- "Someday soon, people may be able to harvest news articles, e-mail and other bits of text off the Internet and listen as this information is read aloud from portable devices.
The first steps toward that ambitious goal are happening here, inside the offices of e.Digital Corp. Giant chipmaker Intel is paying the Lilliputian Poway company for research and development costs aimed at making new speech-to-text, text-to-speech gizmos. The project, which began last year but stalled when the companies dumped a third-party technology partner in favor of another unnamed firm, remains hush-hush. The companies won't even reveal drawings of what the device looks like.
Still, Skip Matthews, a senior project development manager for Intel's Memory Components Division, coyly hinted at the project's capabilities. "What if you had a device that could read The Wall Street Journal to you while you're in your car?" he said, declining to elaborate."
Clearly this article demonstrates that at least part of the e.Digital/intel project is focused on telematics. A month later, Skip Matthews "retires" and joins e.Digital's BOD.
8/1/99 Dr. Matthews joins e.Digital's Board upon retirement from a distinguished 25-year career with Intel Corporation with his last position being Senior Project Development Manager. "I was attracted to e.Digital because they were the first to adopt flash memory in an audio recorder. There is great potential for further application of e.Digital's technology in Internet music players and even more advanced audio applications such as speech-to-text and text-to-speech systems."
8/30/99 Falk newsletter update: We are continuing to make significant progress on the Intel voice recorder prototypes with the project taking some interesting new turns into areas of new technology development that we expect will be very beneficial to e.Digital. We remain on track with IBM, Intel, Philips and our other VoiceTIMES Alliance partners in setting new protocols for voice recording in portable digital devices. [NB: Note the use of plural "prototypes". Clearly there is more than one type of device being developed as made clear in Falk's 9/30/99 update when he refers to "new OEM relationships". Also note the reference to Philips who at the time of the formation of VoiceTimes alliance had licensed IBM's TTS technology for use in future products.]
To this date we have not heard any news regarding e.Digital's 1998 project with Intel or the prototypes created therefrom. Is the project dead and buried? Should we just forget about it and move on? What do we know? It is my SPECULATION that the Intel project involved at least two different projects: the initial project involving VR for a PDA/recorder and the new turn being VR integration into a telematics system. (In reality, it is one theme with different corollaries. Time and again, Intel executives have indicated these solutions derive from the same building blocks. See 11/00 Smith comments below for example.)What little facts that we do know is that e.digital had completed its work on the project sometime in 2000, a number of other companies were involved, and edig thought there would be a public announcement about it by the end of 2000. In fact no announcement came. Was this just more "RP/FF carrot BS" which many of you believe is the only thing they have perfected? I don't think so for the following reasons.
I have previously contended that one of the 1998 intel/edig projects was part of the following:
Cadillacs to Get Voice-Activated Calling by Year's End
General Motors to embed cellular services in one million 2001 vehicles
By Lee Copeland and Lee Copeland
(Apr. 17, 2000) General Motors Corp. last week accelerated its drive to provide embedded cellular and Web-based services in its vehicles. The Detroit-based automaker said it will offer a Communiport Infotainment PC system developed by Delphi Automotive Systems Corp. in Troy, Mich., in new Cadillacs by the end of this year.
GM officials touted the cellular system as being safer to use while driving than a phone handset. Using a dashboard-based, voice-activated computer, drivers will be able to listen to e-mail messages and make cellular calls. The system is integrated with the vehicle's radio and also features a CD-ROM drive, a navigation system and a voice memo recorder. Drivers would have to forward messages from their existing messaging system to a GM-based account in order to access them from the road.
http://www.computerworld.com/cwi/Printer_Friendly_Version/0,1212,NAV47_STO44447-,00.html
http://ragingbull.lycos.com/mboard/boards.cgi?board=CLB00154&read=18295
However, in December 2000, GM decided to delay the implementation of the Infotainment PC option until 2001. To the best of my knowledge, it continues to be on indefinite hold.
http://ragingbull.lycos.com/mboard/boards.cgi?board=CLB00154&read=18321
What's happened since then? We again need to back up a little bit and review the Intel and IBM involvement in pervasive computing and telematics in general and then specifically.
http://www.investorshub.com/boards/read_msg.asp?message_id=67769
http://www.investorshub.com/boards/read_msg.asp?message_id=67776
IBM and Telematics
In 2000, IBM was called upon to help the Automotive Multimedia Interface Collaboration, a consortium of 13 automobile manufacturers, select which standards the group needed to define. "We had to walk them through what they should be thinking about, and what technologies they should be looking at," says Raj Desai, the director of IBM's automotive development group. Most notably, auto-makers need to develop an open network standard that lets all of a Net-ready car's more than 60 microprocessors and disparate networks communicate with each other. And because most of the content will reside offline and outside of the car, standards have to begin at the application level, says IBM's Desai.
In addition to these standards, in the end we may see widespread adoption of Java, too. This September, UBS Warburg LLC, a global financial services organization, released a study that endorsed Belgian telematics developer SmartMove's Open Telematics Framework system, which is Java-based. That's an interesting move, considering most of the current telematics systems are based on Windows CE. Some application developers are already taking the Java plunge. Motorola's iRadio, for example, is being developed using current Internet technologies, including Java that runs on Linux.
"IBM is involved in almost every aspect of telematics, working directly with several major automobile manufacturers and with automotive suppliers including Motorola and ATX. IBM’s products and services include embedded computers, embedded Java, speech and voice recognition products like Via Voice, middleware and infrastructure products including WebSphere Everyplace Suite and WebSphere Everyplace Portal, tools and development environments for content and application providers, and hosted portals and services. Among the many telematics activities currently being pursued by automakers and others, IBM is participating in:
· DaimlerChrysler Services/Mobility Management, which provides topical tips for travelers about movies, shows, the arts and dining in the areas they visit, along with navigation aids and parking data.
· ATX’s interactive voice recognition/speech response technology, which uses IBM’s Direct Talk voice processing platform and ViaVoice speech recognition technology.
· PSA Peugeot Citroen’s prototype networked car based on Xsara Picasso, Citroen’s intelligent automotive application.
· Projects with DaimlerChrysler, Motorola, Intel and PSA Peugeot Citroen, all of which are using IBM’s VisualAge Micro Edition embedded Java 2 technology.
· Myautogarage.com from ADP, a Web-based service linking dealers with motorists for easier and faster maintenance and management of their vehicles, which is powered by IBM.
· Motorola’s iRadio offering, which uses a variety of IBM products and services to deliver e-mail and custom entertainment options to automobiles through Motorola cell phone technology."
[This is taken from a May 2001 article written by Raj Desai Director, IBM Worldwide Telematics Solutions. I highly recommend reading the full article: http://www.ebizchronicle.com/columns01/may/telematics.htm.
DELPHI
In 1998, a PR announced that IBM was working with Delphi and SunMicrosytems to develop a "network vehicle" with IBM providing java-based and VR technology. IBM has continued to work with Delphi to develop among other telematics products, the Communiport Infotainment PC. Recently, on February 13, 2002 IBM and Delphi confirmed their ongoing relationship in telematics:
IBM Receives Delphi Business For Next-Gen Multi-Media Car Products
Combines IT, Auto Expertise For Full-Fledged Digital Dashboards
ARMONK, NY, and TROY, MI--(INTERNET WIRE)--Feb 13, 2002 -- IBM (NYSE:IBM - news) announced today that Delphi Automotive Systems has chosen IBM's J9(TM) virtual machine environment, as a foundation technology for the development of automobile multimedia products. These products can enable motor vehicles to communicate in real-time with drivers, dealers, manufacturers and others in the industry's value chain.
Delphi will use the IBM J9 virtual machine environment in the design of new mobile multimedia products that include embedded, real-time control systems using full-motion video, speech and voice processing, Internet and Java(TM) technologies to enhance communications and entertainment applications for original equipment vehicles. Products expected to result from the collaboration range from dashboard control features to information, entertainment, navigation and messaging.....
IBM's embedded virtual machine technology has been developed, deployed and refined for more than a dozen years. In August 2001, IBM was the first to develop and distribute the J9 J2ME "Java Powered" environment simultaneously across multiple platforms. The J9 virtual machine environment has proved in independent testing to provide a high-performance, compact environment for running embedded Java applications across a broad range of processors. Complementing the J9 virtual machine, IBM's VisualAge Micro Edition allows developers to quickly and easily create and deploy e-business applications to automotive Telematics devices, hand-held computers, PDA's and cellular telephones. More information is available at www.ibm.com/embedded.
IBM is the world's largest information technology company, with 80 years of leadership in helping businesses innovate. IBM is among the first companies to offer leading-edge technology and tools to its customers and enable them to deliver advanced Telematics Solutions. Through years of expertise and research in the Automotive industry, IBM and IBM Business Partners have built a flexible and reliable portfolio of software (such as speech recognition and wireless technologies), hardware, IT services, development platforms and innovative tools. Our end-to-end architecture fully integrates open standards. It links both portable and embedded hardware devices to the Internet via wireless networks and leverages Java applications to exchange data to and from the vehicles with Wireless Telematics Service Providers. Addressing issues such as safety, privacy, convenience and connectivity, our in-vehicle information systems and solutions enable our customers to deliver hands-free and eyes-free technology as part of developing invaluable and long-term relationships with their customers. As the Telematics revolution is now gaining momentum in other industries such as Insurance, Petroleum and Commercial market, our vision will prepare our customers for the next generation of e-business infrastructure for many years to come. Please visit our Telematics Solutions site at www.ibm.com/industries/automotive for further details and references.
On October 26, 2001, IBM announced a broad range of new customers, partners and products in its comprehensive strategy to provide voice recognition software for mobile e-business.
New customers and partners span three continents and key targets of IBM's voice business: the automobile industry for telematics, the growing market segment for products and services that deliver wireless voice and data information to vehicles; manufacturers of personal digital assistants and other mobile devices; telephone call centers; and e-businesses of all sizes.
They include major automotive supplier Johnson Controls, which has chosen IBM's Embedded ViaVoice as the speech software for its telematics offerings - including an innovative, voice-enabled communications system that will be deployed by the Chrysler Group.
IBM's voice recognition software relies on open, non-proprietary standards such as VoiceXML and Java, which make it easy to create software for people to access information by voice over the phone and helps businesses integrate disparate systems.
IBM's new customers and partners in telematics:
Plymouth, Mich.-based automotive supplier Johnson Controls has selected IBM as its speech software provider for all of its upcoming telematics offerings to the auto industry. Its first implementation is a voice-enabled mobile communications system for the Chrysler Group. An industry first, the system requires only the push of a button to make a call - all other functions are engaged via voice commnds. It consists of a receiver module behind the dashboard, an embedded microphone in the rear-view mirror, and the driver's own mobile phone. The phone will synchronize with the receiver module to create a wireless connection via Bluetooth technology with the car's audio system. When a call is placed, audio is suspended, and the call comes through the speakers. IBM's software will allow drivers to use spoken commands (in English, French or Spanish) to place calls or access the system's audio address book, customizable by the owner. The system will be available in an aftermarket version in spring 2002 and factory installed in 2003.
Intel is working with IBM's Embedded ViaVoice to support its strategy to deliver a non-proprietary, standards-based in-car platform based on Intel® StrongARM and upcoming Intel® XScale processors. Designed for ultra-low power and high performance, the Intel XScale microarchitecture is an ideal microprocessor solution for telematics.
Hitachi, a worldwide provider of car infotainment systems, is supporting IBM's Embedded Via Voice recognition on Hitachi SH-4-based platforms (HARP) for automotive applications. The hardware platforms are designed to run with all major operating systems.
QNX, a provider of operating systems for automobile electronics, has partnered with IBM for voice recognition. The QNX operating system will support the Embedded ViaVoice product for telematics. Embedded ViaVoice runs on both an operating system and a hardware platform to ensure the two interoperate. Voice-enabled telematics applications developed on the QNX operating system are designed to run on major automotive telematics platforms such as Intel, Hitachi and Motorola.
In the handheld computer market:
Legend Computers, the largest computer company in China, has chosen IBM's Embedded ViaVoice Mobility Suite in simpilfied Chinese to voice-enable its new handheld computers to be available in Q1 2002. The IBM software will give users a natural alternative to the stylus or keyboard in operating the devices, and the added convenience of being able to listen to rather than read information and messages.
On Oct. 4, Compaq announced it is using IBM's Embedded ViaVoice Mobility Suite to voice-enable its new iPAQ H3800 Pocket PC Series, one of the world's first commercially available handheld computers to let users access and receive information with human speech.
MOTOROLA
MOTOROLA Telematics Background
Seventy years ago, Motorola broke new ground by taking the home radio into the car. Since then, the driving experience has never been the same. Today, Motorola is reinventing that in-car experience all over again. Telematics uses existing technologies at which Motorola is expert -- GPS location, wireless voice and data, and on-board computing -- and integrates them in whole new ways.
The Motorola website has an extensive background on telematics and Motorola's current and future roles in this nascent market. http://www.motorola.com/ies/telematics/html/indextd.html
The Lincoln RESCU system was only the beginning. Since RESCU was launched in 1996 -- the result of its efforts with Ford Motor Company -- Motorola has introduced Telematics to many other automakers around the world. With the 2000 model year, Motorola Telematics will be available in hundreds of thousands of cars in the United States and Europe.
Motorola Telematics products are available in a variety of automotive makes and models, ranging from the 2000 Jaguar S-TYPE to over 40 different General Motors vehicles as part of the OnStar System. Motorola's Telematics partners include: BMW, Cadillac, Ford/Lincoln, General Motors,
General Motors Europe/Opel and Vauxhall
Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz USA, Mercedes-Benz/Germany Nissan/Infiniti, Renault, Visteon
Telematics is an emerging market of automotive communications technology that combines wireless voice and data to provide location-specific security, information, productivity, and in-vehicle entertainment services to drivers and their passengers. Today, Telematics systems offer drivers emergency and roadside assistance, air bag deployment notification, navigation, remote door unlock, vehicle security notification and stolen vehicle tracking services. Just as today’s Telematics safety and security features are a direct result of initial consumer demand, future Telematics services will also be a direct result of what drivers want in their cars. These systems may provide customized services such as travel information (traffic updates, parking availability, airline status), messaging (voice mail and email retrieval), information (sports, weather, stock market updates and Internet access) and entertainment (audio games, books, magazines and newspapers). These are only a few of the applications which will evolve with Telematics to keep drivers and their passengers in touch.
In North America, some of these future telematics services are now beginning in GM's Onstar programns known as Virtual Advisor and Personal Calling. Motorola has been the primary integrator or GM's telematics program. Motorola will work with OnStar and Saturn Electronics & Engineering to create in-car Net wireless devices for General Motors vehicles. The company says that its Integrated Electronic Systems Sector will develop the devices, which are expected to be available in virtually every GM car and truck starting with the 2001 model year.
The devices are considered telematics, which combine wireless voice and data capabilities to provide location-specific security information, entertainment and in-car productivity tools. OnStar is a subsidiary of GM that, so far, has created in-car communications capabilities primarily for luxury vehicles. Saturn will manufacture components for the systems. Motorola claims the initiative has a potential value to the company of $1 billion.
IBM and Motorola Telematics Alliance
On 9/14/99, Motorola announced a relationship with QNX Software Systems Ltd., IBM, and Embedded Planet (formerly RPCG) to develop MobileGT Architecture, initially targeted for automotive driver information systems. MobileGT is an open, Java-centric architecture that can allow automobile manufacturers to easily and cost-effectively develop advanced driver information systems to fit their specific platforms. MobileGT's flexible, modular computing platform is scaleable across a wide range of products, allowing automobile manufacturers to leverage a common development approach while providing product differentiation through tailored and system integration. MobileGT can address a wide array of in-vehicle applications -- dynamic navigation, wireless connectivity and Internet access, natural language speech processing, car audio, virtual dashboards, multimedia and more.
MobileGT also incorporates IBM's VisualAge for Embedded Systems, Java(TM) Technology Edition virtual machine and development tools optimized for use with QNX Neutrino. This proven execution environment supports configuration-based deployment of applications, giving the developers the ability to build ultra-compact runtime components.
In follow-up, on January 14, 2000, IBM and Motorola said they will join to develop technology to help automakers add a variety of wireless and Web-based services automobiles.The companies will focus on telematics which includes communications and navigation capabilities such as real-time traffic routing. It also can include Internet capabilities such as e-mail.
The companies note that because cars move, telematics requires a network connection that is both precise and durable. IBM says it will contribute its expertise in computer hardware, software and network management. Beyond those generalities, the companies offered few details, other than to say they already were approaching automotive manufacturers about potential products.
IBM/Mot formed a platform called MobileGT, an easily upgradable computer that can accept peripherals like cell phones, PDAs and other gear that might be used in cars. http://www.eetimes.com/story/OEG20000211S0057 With the coming of AMIC [the Automotive Multimedia Interface Consortium], the industry said it wanted Java, and that became a central theme for our group."
Motorola's iRadio
iRadio represents the next stage of the telematics market. Most of the telematics action is currently taking place at the factory level with such systems as GM's OnStar, Visteon's Vehicle Emergency Messaging System (VEMS), and Lincoln's RESCU system—all of which use Motorola telematics technology to link the vehicle to a monitoring center via a cellular phone. At the basic level, the systems provide roadside assistance and emergency response. More sophisticated systems use global positioning system (GPS) turn-by-turn route guidance, airbag deployment certification, concierge services and remote theft alarm and door unlock capabilities via 24-hour monitoring services
At CES in January 2000, Motorola announced its Internet radio prototype called iRadio, an in-vehicle information and entertainment via wireless Web access. A smart technology to be offered by automakers, Motorola's iRadio will enable drivers to download and listen to digital music on demand; listen to real time traffic reports; download audio books; access voicemail; receive news and weather reports; get updated stock portfolio information and access email. Entertainment also will factor into iRadio. iRadios will sport DVD drives and smart card slots, and iRadio products will tap the Internet for pay-per-view movies, video games, music and e-commerce transactions. These off-board mobile multimedia features will be delivered wirelessly via Web access, satellite, digital cellular, and FM sideband technologies. The iRadio system interface uses advanced voice recognition and text-to-speech technologies to allow drivers to activate the features while keeping their eyes on the road. In addition, the iRadio system can use Bluetooth technology to synchronize with a multitude of personal electronic devices, including cellular phones, PDAs, and pagers.
The framework for iRadio is built upon the safety, security, navigation and concierge services already being delivered to drivers through Motorola telematics capabilities, which combines wireless voice and data technologies, global positioning systems (GPS) and automotive-grade software.
Complete with voice recognition and text-to-speech technologies, iRadio is a wireless Web client device which allows access to content originating from multiple sources, whether via the Web, cellular communications, broadcast and satellite transmissions, or traditional AM/FM bands, among others, including Command Audio and XM Radio. Command Audio's technology lets users who subscribe to its service preselect material they want to listen to and transmits it to cars via FM radio waves.
A fully scalable system, iRadio will provide drivers with a range of service levels, from basic to premium packages, much like ordering Cable TV. In addition, a personalized Web page will enable iRadio to be configured anywhere drivers and passengers have an Internet connection - at home, in the office or the car. For drivers with mobile devices including pagers and Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), data such as address books, calendar functions, and favorite Web bookmarks can be synchronized on demand between iRadio and the device.
"There is also an e-commerce angle that will let people buy things from their car," said Mike Bordelon, vice president of Motorola's telematics computing group. "But to offer that and other features across that space we need one end-to-end solution, and that's where IBM comes in." IBM will provide many of the back-end computing systems and services that will enable iRadio and other concept devices to work. "There are a lot of things that happen in the device that are very much tied to the server," said Jon Prial, director of marketing for IBM's pervasive computing division. "We focus on all that from synchronization, database, messaging and voice technology--all technologies from IBM for enabling the devices."
Motorola is parlaying its roles as a longtime electronics supplier to automakers and that of the world's No. 2 cell-phone manufacturer into dominance in the burgeoning industry of telematics - wireless telecommunications in cars and trucks. Demand for Web-connected cars is projected to help triple the company's telematics sales to about $1 billion in the next three years. And iRadio, which is expected to be installed in luxury cars of the major carmakers by the end of 2001, is only the forerunner of bigger projects still on the drawing board.
"Telematics will be the next air bag in the auto industry." Automakers estimate that 'Net-enabled cars will be standard by 2005. Motorola plans to offer iRadio through car OEMs and aftermarket suppliers, Sokola says. "We imagine that we'll make the insides of many of these products," he says, referring to the Digital DNA components that make these products work, but the company also plans to offer turnkey solutions under its own brand. "Motorola plans to provide both complete solutions and the basic building blocks for iRadio products," he says.
In March, 2000, IBM and Motorola announced plans to join forces to help meet the growing demand for e-businesses worldwide to link data and applications to wireless devices. The companies announced their intent to jointly develop an open, highly scalable offering that will form the basis of a "voice and data engine" which will offer businesses an easy way to develop and access wireless applications and services. For example, carriers could use this offering to allow businesses to provide mobile workers real-time access to email, stock quotes, news, and corporate resources via wireless devices. By combining Motorola's device-aware front-end technology with IBM's middleware technology, this framework will provide optimal wireless data services to businesses around the world.
Mark Bregman, general manager of IBM's Pervasive Computing Division said "Working together with Motorola we will get to market faster with a product that operators need to give their business subscribers what they crave - access to information and services, virtually anytime, anywhere." This relationship builds on the existing collaboration between IBM and Motorola to enable the delivery of innovative new telematics products. In January, the companies announced that they would work together to provide the end-to-end resources to help car manufacturers offer exciting new wireless services to their customers. The agreement builds on the strong position of Motorola's Integrated Electronic Systems Sector (IESS) group with IBM's systems and services expertise.
On January 9, 2001, Motorola announced that it will license Java technology and voice recognition software from IBM, for use in the Motorola Telematics iRadio™ system. The Motorola iRadio™ system is a complete solution that offers a packaged multimedia functionality, which can be accessed at home, in the car and on the individual mobile devices. The Java-based platform allows the product to access personalised, location-based services, real time traffic information, dynamic off-board navigation, music-on- demand, eCommerce options and email. With speech recognition and additional features, Motorola's iRadio system delivers information, communications and entertainment to the car without diverting the driver's attention. Motorola's iRadio offers the latest user interfaces and applications and IBM's VisualAge Micro Edition Java technology. A key feature of IBM's Java technology is that it enables new applications and services to be added and enhanced remotely without inconveniencing consumers.
Motorola is also using IBM Embedded ViaVoice Multiplatform Edition for voice recognition and text-to-speech capabilities.
IBM's ViaVoice enables drivers to use voice commands, as an alternative input to faceplate controls, for accessing information such as weather, news and sports, select a favorite radio station or other iRadio system applications.
On June 11, 2001, the mobileGT Alliance, including eNGENUITY Technologies, IBM, Motorola and QNX Demonstrate A Complete International Development Environment for Driver Information Systems and Announces Hyundai Autonet as First Customer in Asia for mobileGT Architecture. mobileGT-based DIS is the answer to consumer demand for smarter, safer, harder working and more fun cars that can provide help in accidents and navigation, and help keep them in touch with home and office. It can provide a gateway to and from the car, e-calls, Internet and email, on-demand multi-genre digital music broadcast, games and video, and is the basis for the next generation of pervasive consumer services. http://www.investorshub.com/boards/read_msg.asp?message_id=244435
Motorola is staking its Telematics future on collaboration and partnership, not proprietary solutions.
http://www.telematicsupdate.com/homepage2.asp?news=12844
CHRYSLER/JOHNSON CONTROLS
On October 25, 2001, has signed up Intel, IBM, AT&T Wireless, Johnson Controls and Gentex to provide key elements in its telematics drive called U-Connect. DaimlerChrysler chose AT&T as its wireless communications provider; Johnson for Bluetooth wireless-networking technology; Gentex for its microphone and driver communications interface; and IBM for its speech software. Intel's upcoming XScale processors and StrataFlash memory will provide the engine behind all the components allowing them to work together.
Intel has signed a multiyear agreement with the automaker, according to sources, as it brings a new focus to chipmaking, its core business. Intel has been investing in telematics and other businesses that would increase the shipments of its device processors and flash memory. The first of DaimlerChrysler's new telematics offerings will be a cell-phone system that will let a driver use hands-free calling and voice commands. The system will be available as an aftermarket product in the spring of 2002 and will be factory-installed in cars in early 2003.
IBM has closed a deal with Johnson Controls, an auto industry OEM, to provide voice technology for the auto industry OEM's telematics products. First up is the integration of the embedded version of its ViaVoice recognizer with a Johnson Controls Bluetooth-enabled handset for Chrysler's in-car communications network.
Withrow, Director of Telematics, DaimlerChrysler, outlined DaimlerChrysler's "U-Connect" telematics entry product at a media and analyst's briefing held jointly with Johnson Controls at the North American International Auto Show in early January 2002. "Withrow talked about the hardware providers, but I think that probably masks the value that is inherent from second and third tier suppliers in that ultimate product that’s in the vehicle, because clearly a big portion of what we value in our U-Connect product has to do with the voice recognition and Bluetooth, which has both hardware and software sides to it. Though they're not very visible, both IBM and Intel are heavily involved and could stand to gain from this."
U-Connect's system uses very easy voice recognition software, a system that doesn't have to be 'trained' for hours to recognize one key customer's voice. How did DaimlerChrysler set about choosing this voice recognition system?
"Everything we’ve done about putting together U-Connect has been about trying to meet some simple value principles (for telematics): It needs to be simple, needs to be flexible, portability, highly flexible, enhance safe operation of the vehicle. When you begin to talk about simplicity with the operation of the product and the customers interaction with it, you clearly want to be going to a voice recognition system which has very high recognition rates, as well as (being) very, very easy to use. So you need speaker-independent voice recognition, not the trainable variety. And it has to be something customers can learn and operate swiftly, without complexity.
Interestingly, last August, Tom Houy, IBM's Manager of Client Voice Systems, gave the following talk:
Bluetooth and Speech Recognition A Natural Marriage?
The convergence of computing and communications is upon us.
Both voice recognition and Bluetooth are expected to be key enablers of this convergence by solving a major ease of use obstacle for mobile end-users. IBM Voice Systems offer "distributed voice" and is currently the only company that can distribute voice processing throughout an end-to-end mobile solution. Mobile devices range from a simple cellular telephone, to a handheld digital computing device, to full-fledged server computers. The software runs the gamut from real-time operating systems, speech browsers and Java, to server operating systems such as Linux. All of this enables applications to be scaleable across many device types and software platforms. Bluetooth technology makes voice-enabled mobile applications easier to use and will accelerate the use of voice recognition in mobile devices.
bluetooth and telematics
http://www.arcgroup.com/ebrief/2000/bluetooth/ebrief_contents_nolinks.htm.
Johnson Controls Infotainment:
Today’s conventional cockpit systems are only a starting point for completely revisioning this critical area with new and superior capabilities.
With our infotainment systems, we are going beyond the assembly of components to provide complete system integration that will significantly improve the driving experience and the occupants’ access to critical or useful information. Our infotainment systems are an industry-leading combination of audio, multimedia and vehicle data aimed at entertaining and providing vehicle occupants with key information. At Johnson Controls, we are working to become the recognized leader in providing innovative, end-user-driven information and entertainment systems that are safely and seamlessly integrated into automotive interiors.
Johnson Controls' infotainment systems deliver radio, satellite radio, CD/DVD/Removable Memory, MP3, HVAC, trip information, vehicle information, Navigation, RearVision™, and access to news, weather, financial services information, and the Internet.
Johnson Controls' TravelNote® with Memory Stick, BlueConnect
You can extend the convenience of TravelNote all the way to your PC. With the extended memory capability of TravelNote with Memory Stick, vehicle manufacturers can now offer speech-to-text features and the ability to playback recordings on conventional media or tape formats. The Sony Memory Stick is removable media that, with a simple adapter, can also be used with virtually any laptop computer. Features include: Removable Sony Memory Stick integrated with existing TravelNote Digital Voice Recorder;
Records up to 120 minutes of digitally-recorded voice data on a 16 MB Sony Memory Stick; May be operated in parallel with vehicle audio system
On Dec 14, 2001, Wavemakers, a developer of voice optimization software, announced an agreement with Johnson Controls Inc. that will have their WaveBeam(TM), ClearStream(TM) and EchoBlock(TM) software embedded in Johnson Controls' Bluetooth wireless-networking solutions. Together with Johnson Controls, Wavemakers joins Intel, IBM, AT&T Wireless, Gentex and QNX to provide innovative telematics solutions and services. Wavemakers is a member of the VoiceTimes alliance.
Several automotive manufacturers have already adopted the Gentex microphone technology and are currently working to integrate it into their vehicles. DaimlerChrysler was the first to announce that it will use a Gentex microphone as part of the Chrysler Group's recently announced hands-free, voice-recognition communications system, which the company plans to factory-install on various vehicles beginning in early 2003.
INTEL
At the same time IBM and Motorola announced its telematics relationship, so did IBM and Intel; Motorola said it would support the IBM/Intel work. On 1/25/00 Intel and IBM announced they are collaborating on in-car computing products that will enable automakers to provide wireless and Web-based services such as navigation, communication, and information. IBM will provide its Pervasive Computing software, which is a suite of advanced software for managing the in-vehicle information systems. The software suite includes IBM's VisualAge MicroEdition, which incorporates embedded Java, as well as voice-recognition and text-to-speech functions. This software is used, along with interfaces to the vehicle, to communicate information to the driver and the outside world via the Internet. The companies said Motorola Inc. will also support the venture.
IBM and Intel officials said the partnership won't compete with carmakers or auto suppliers developing technology to create Web-enabled vehicles. In fact, they're potential customers. "Automakers and their suppliers are our partners," said Walt Davison, IBM's marketing executive for the automotive industry. "We're not competing with them; we're doing what we do best to help them do what they do best." IBM expects automakers to start offering vehicles with in-car computing systems next year. "The earliest consumers will see vehicles with in-car computing systems on the road will be in 18 months," Desai said.
http://detnews.com/2000/technology/0002/10/02100040.htm
IBM claims: Automotive pervasive computing is a reality -- where people use ViaVoice speech recognition and text-to-speech software to interact with their automobiles the same way that they interact with their computers. IBM is working with automobile manufacturers so that drivers can run diagnostics from the road, search the Internet for a stock price and even make a service appointment with the manufacturer simply by speaking to their e-mail.
In July 2000, IBM announced that engineers and developers can now deploy connected Java language-based solutions across a wider array of embedded targets using IBM's VisualAge Micro Edition tools, class libraries and virtual machines. While VisualAge Micro Edition remains optimized for QNX's Neutrino real-time operating system, IBM has also added support for the iTRON industrial real time operating system and Microsoft Windows CE in response to customer requests.(Regarding iTron, see this 1/01 Redhat PR re DELPHI: "Red Hat eCos (Embedded Configurable Operating System) will be used in several Telematics products and has been selected for Delphi's recently announced "Mobile Productivity Center" (MPC), which is a platform for users of PDA's and Cellular phones. The Delphi MPC allows for hands-free operation of personal electronics like PDAs, along with seamless interface with popular cellular phones.... Delphi came to us with specific requirements that included a Linux application interface and uITRON API compatibility, and we were able to quickly leverage our extensive technical expertise to deliver a cost-effective, single solution that we believe will meet their needs." (IBM is a strong supporter of Linux.)http://www.redhat.com/about/presscenter/2001/press_delphi.html.
"Engineering decisions in the connected post-PC world must focus on customer choice. From the start, IBM designed and built VisualAge Micro Edition for portability and compatibility with published specifications," said Skip McGaughey, IBM director of embedded systems sales and marketing. "As our customers have approached us for new CPU, RTOS and development platform support, we have responded quickly, thanks to our investment in innovation and advanced technology."
Pervasive computing projects will require client and server components that run on multiple embedded targets.
Support for the ARM processor architectures is now included in VisualAge Micro Edition. This includes StrongARM SA-110 and SA-1110 processors and development reference boards from Intel.
from Intel's website:
The PVA Arrives
September 22, 2000
An emerging category of wireless Internet client devices is designed to make the in-vehicle wireless Internet experience feature-rich and easy to use. It is called the Personal Vehicle Assistant, or PVA. Similar to its hand-held PDA counterpart, the PVA is a Web-enabled wireless Internet consumer electronic device with the power to make a wide range of Internet services available anywhere, at any time.
For PVA users, these services can include two-way voice communications, e-mail, personalized news, navigation, traffic data and roadside assistance services, in addition to a wide spectrum of personal productivity and entertainment applications. For ergonomics, the PVA will enable hands-free operation with a basic user interface as simple as a car radio. Entertainment opportunities will enhance the drive-time experience, with MP3 digital audio for drivers and DVD movies for rear seat passengers.
http://www.intel.com/design/wireless/telematics/pva.htm
Two powerful trends are driving the rapid growth of the Internet. The first of these trends is the expansion of the wireless Internet, with its promise of "anytime, anywhere" connectivity to an ever-wider array of compelling applications for personal communications, information, productivity and entertainment. In his keynote address at the Fall 2000 Intel Developer Forum, Ron Smith, vice president and general manager of Intel's Wireless Communications and Computing Group, used the term "e-Everywhere" to describe this growing set of consumer expectations.
This trend also involves the convergence of voice, data and multimedia streams over the Internet. With the growing availability of wireless Internet services, consumers are becoming accustomed to voice, data and multimedia communications, e-mail, Web browsing, and mobile commerce (m-Commerce) applications that are always-on and always-connected. Wireless solutions from Intel are helping to make a wide range of services available through easy to use hand-held devices in a host of form factors, ranging from feature-rich cell phones to wireless Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) and personal vehicle assistants.
Today there is another powerful trend: the growing availability of wireless Internet services in vehicles. It is called "telematics," the term for the market segment that includes cellular voice and Internet services in vehicles. Just as the PDA makes the wireless Internet available in hand-held devices that can be used away from the desktop, Telematics extends the reach of the wireless Internet, making Internet services available during the periods we spend commuting and traveling by car.
The compelling user experiences provided by the wireless Internet have captured the attention of automobile manufacturers, equipment OEMs and developers, who are working to deliver a range of in-vehicle wireless Internet solutions.
The personal vehicle assistant makes drive-time more productive:
Navigation applications will take the guesswork out of reaching new destinations, while real-time traffic notification systems will help drivers arrive at their destination sooner.
Personalized information services will keep drivers and passengers up to the minute with the latest news, financial and business data.
A new set of "m-Commerce" applications may be used to reserve hotel rooms, purchase event tickets, make restaurant reservations, or even automatically pay highway and bridge tolls.
Emergency services will be available, such as roadside assistance and automatic collision notification systems. In addition, voice-activated communications will keep drivers in touch, all while the driver keeps his or her eyes on the road.
Entertainment opportunities will enhance the drive-time experience, with MP3 digital audio for drivers and DVD movies for rear seat passengers.
On 10/16/00, Intel announced plans to collaborate with IBM* to deliver a non-proprietary, standards-based in-car client platform for the expanding Telematics market segment. This collaboration will speed up the delivery of a complete set of Telematics client reference kits supporting the Intel® XScale™ microarchitecture. These kits will enable developers and original equipment manufacturers to reduce their time to market and create leading-edge wireless applications. IBM's popular VisualAge® Micro Edition Java™ application development tools and deployment technologies allow developers to quickly and easily leverage existing applications for e-Business.
Telematics is the market segment that includes cellular voice and Internet services in vehicles. Examples of in-car computing devices and services include navigation systems, emergency roadside assistance, and an array of entertainment applications and services.
Intel's support of IBM's embedded Java application development environment, Java class libraries and the J9 virtual machine for Intel's Xscale microarchitecture reference platforms provides Telematics developers and OEMs with a highly portable and reusable platform. "We are pleased to provide the burgeoning Telematics application development industry and OEMs with what are arguably the strongest wireless building blocks in the industry," said Pat Kerrigan, marketing manager at Intel's In-Car Computing Operation.
"Automotive computing is an important and growing market segment that both Intel and IBM serve with advanced technology and products," said Skip McGaughey, director of marketing and sales for IBM's OTI embedded system group. "With this announcement, IBM takes the important step to broaden VisualAge Micro Edition to embrace Intel's Xscale microarchitecture. www.intel.com/design/wireless/telematics/converge.htm.
From the 11/00 interview with Intel's Ron Smith, VP of wireless:
KAREN LAKE: Talk to us about the Internet being accessible from the car and where that's going. Is that in your department?
RON SMITH: Yes, that is actually in my department because by definition if you're going to have access from a car, it needs to be wireless and it is in a wide area network because you're not going to be driving your car inside a building. You're going to be driving your car out on the highway.
This is a real exciting area. There are a lot of new things that are going on here. They have already crafted a name for this called telematics. Don't ask me the origin of that name because I don't know.
KAREN LAKE: Telematics is the market segment that includes cellular, voice and Internet services in vehicles. I interrupted you. Please keep going.
RON SMITH: That's right, it's in vehicles. It started out with these emergency services like OnStar, which is actually a call back, a voice service. But now people want to move toward more information services to bring the same kind of capability, Internet access, the location-based services, and so on, to a vehicle. We are actively engaged in that. In fact, just recently we announced a relationship with IBM with their VisualAge capability to help bring some more of that software interface directly to these kinds of devices. We have a number of things going on with a number of manufacturers. Of course, none of them are public yet so I can't really talk about them.{GUESS INTEL IS EVEN SUBJECT TO NDAS!}
KAREN LAKE: Is there really any difference in the technology from a car vs. a PDA vs. a cellular phone? Are they all just adaptations of each other?
RON SMITH: They're all just adaptations of each other. You have the same kinds of requirements. You have to be able to maintain the data when the power goes off.
KAREN LAKE: And that's the Flash memory thing.
RON SMITH: Right. So, you need a Flash memory. You want a low power environment with relatively high performance like you'd get with our XScale microarchitecture. In a battery-operated device, it's pretty obviously needed because you can't drain the battery in a car. You don't want to be draining the car battery, but there are a lot more Amp hours, if you will, in a car battery. But if you're going to store it in a dashboard of a car, you have a lot of space constraints. You can't afford to have cooling hardware associated with that because it's going to be packed into a dashboard with all kinds of other things. So it amounts to the same kind of technology requirements.
CONCLUSION: It is undisputable that IBM and Intel are working together in the telematics arena using a Java-based platform and that Intel and IBM together are working with Motorola in support of Motorola's MobileGT architecture which is Java-centric.
On March 20, 2001, Intel Corporation and IBM announced that Intel has selected IBM as the premier provider of embedded software for its Intel® Personal Internet Client Architecture (Intel PCA) for wireless devices and other Internet appliances. The two companies will work together to deliver standards-based hardware and software solutions for next-generation, Internet-ready devices, targeting device manufacturers, application developers and carriers.
IBM will support Intel PCA by porting IBM's WebSphere Everyplace Suite Embedded Edition, which is cross-platform embedded middleware, and tools for devices to the Intel StrongARM* processor and future processors based on Intel XScale™ microarchitecture. Intel will feature and distribute IBM's device middleware with its Intel PCA software developer kit and hardware reference design guide that will be issued to the industry later this year. Embedded middleware manages communications, enables content and service creation and provides secure, reliable transactions between a device and a backend server.
"In the PC era, there was one predominant platform. Today, there are many different devices, and as everyday items from phones to cars to appliances are becoming more intelligent, open standards are crucial to ensure common interfaces, applications and services across them," said Michel Mayer, general manager of IBM's Pervasive Computing Group. "IBM will continue working with leading vendors, like Intel, so that our products support different platforms, including IBM's own PowerPC microprocessor."
Last October, Intel and IBM teamed to deliver an in-car client reference platform featuring IBM VisualAge Micro Edition Toolkit support for the Intel XScale microarchitecture. Today's announcement expands this effort to include personal digital assistants, web tablets, cell phones and other Internet-ready devices.
On April 11, 2001, Intel Corporation announced that leading in-car computing software platform vendors are delivering support for the Intel StrongARM processor and future processors based on the Intel XScale microarchitecture. Microsoft Corp., IBM, QNX Software Systems Ltd., Wind River Systems, Inc., Fonix Corporation and Lernout & Hauspie Speech Products N.V. are supporting the Intel StrongARM and Intel XScale microarchitectures to enable developers and original equipment manufacturers to reduce "time-to-market" and create sophisticated in-car, voice-enabled wireless applications.
The core software platform recipe for devices in the in-car computing, or telematics, market segment consists of open, scaleable software platforms, extensible and comprehensive development tools and such key complementary technologies -as speech recognition. These combined elements are necessary to deliver adaptable, scaleable telematics devices that will enable and enhance applications and services for the automotive industry. "Our customers asked for each of these solutions by name," said Pat Kerrigan, director for Intel's In-Car Computing Operation. "We feel we have secured industry-wide support from key players to maximize the benefits of the Intel® Personal Internet Client Architecture and to provide our mutual customers with the best telematics development platforms available."
In-car computers based on Intel's chips could begin shipping as soon as the second half of 2002, the company said. The systems will use Intel's StrongARM--and later its XScale--processors, as well as speech-based user interfaces, Pat Kerrigan, director of Intel's in-car computing unit, said Wednesday. The unit is part of Intel's Wireless Communications and Computing Group. "We're working with the big guys in consumer electronics, as well as trying to understand the...needs of the automobile manufactures," Kerrigan said.
The company is also serving its own needs. As it moves into telematics, Intel sees the possibility of boosting chip sales.
"From our (processor) building-block perspective, it's all the same stuff" as in a cell phone or handheld, "just with a different bezel," Kerrigan said. Intel is working with consumer electronics companies such as Sony and Clarion, as well as with automakers to develop a range of in-car computers--from very basic ones for communication and navigation to full-on Internet-based entertainment and commerce systems.
Intel enlisted Microsoft for its Windows CE operating system; QNX for its QNX operating system and development tools; and Wind River Systems for VxWorks OS, tools and Java technology. The trio will, in turn, support Intel's Integrated Performance Primitives, a software library for speech, image and signal processing, as well as multimedia such as MP3 and MPEG files. Intel turned to IBM to provide, among other things, the middleware that will allow in-car computers to work with large communication networks. IBM, Fonix and Lernout & Hauspie will offer speech-recognition software that can allow drivers to use voice commands to operate their in-car computers.
Ron Smith Keynote
Intel Developer Forum, Spring 2001
April 17, 2001
Throughout this conference you'll be hearing about our plans, you'll be hearing about our four architectures for the Internet. The second architecture is the handheld client, something we call the Personal Intel Client Architecture or PCA. It's really for handheld computing and communication devices.... One that just recently joined the fold was IBM Corporation, and they're going to work together with Intel to enable PCA-based Internet-ready wireless devices and applications. And IBM is going to port its new WebSphere Everyplace suite, which is the embedded edition of it, it's part of their pervasive computing initiative, to the Intel Personal Internet Client Architecture. And this will provide a set of embedded client middleware for handheld and wireless solutions. And Intel will feature and distribute these with the middleware and tools to developers in our forthcoming PCA software development tool kit.
On September 27, 2001, Intel unveiled the Intel Telematics Design Center to provide Web-based development and technical support to developers working on in-car information systems. The Intel Telematics Operation comes under the auspices of the vendor's Personal Internet Client Architecture (PCA), which is aimed at the cellphone, PDA and mobile Internet device market. Intel has been helping large partners develop custom telematics products for the past five to seven years, but now the company will open its doors to other smaller developers.
An Intel spokesperson said the base architecture for PCA is easily applicable to the telematics market, with its heavy emphasis on low-power, high-performance chips, flash memory and wireless connectivity. He added that Bluetooth would be a key wireless architecture in telematics, for example in allowing cellphones to connect to in-car devices. Intel is already working with customers that make cars, and is shipping product, the spokesperson said. However, none of these customers is likely to reveal themselves before the end of this year he said.
Thilo Koslowski, a Gartner analyst, said Intel is making a smart move. "This is the right time to get in because (telematics) is an emerging market. All the automakers and network carriers are coming up with their solutions," Koslowski said.
Intel's Role
Intel has made a major commitment to the expansion of the wireless Internet, including technologies and industry investments that support innovative personal vehicle assistant product development. Intel's Wireless Communications and Computing Group is working to develop and enhance the wireless Internet experience for end users.
One way to enhance personal vehicle assistant capabilities is through higher integration and lower total system cost. To meet these goals, Intel has made technology investments in the areas of signal processing, baseband, control and application processing, as well as power and memory management. (Clearly, one area that intel and edig are playing a role is with Motorola and IBM's development of the MobileGT architecture and the integration of a reasonably cost effective telematics solution.)
Earlier, I linked IBM's Visual Age java being used in the Mobile GT telematics solution to Intel's new XScale architecture. Intel has specifically announced the XScale Microarchitecture is ideal for Personal Vehicle Assistants. http://www.intel.com/design/wireless/telematics/xscale.htm.
"Designed for ultra-low power and high performance, Intel® XScale™ microarchitecture is the ideal microprocessor core design solution for personal vehicle assistants. This will enhance the automotive wireless Internet experience with high performance, scalability, and ultra-low power consumption.
High Performance The Intel XScale microarchitecture delivers industry leading mW/MIPS performance, based on Intel's 0.18 micron semiconductor process technology. It delivers the processing power required for high-performance Telematics applications including 3D navigation systems and multimedia."
In short, Intel and IBM have developed a telematics platform solution which clearly includes VR applications sounding very much like the intel-edig vtt project. Additionally, the voice-enabled PALM snap-on module described in detail on the IBM VoiceTimes webpage sounds like further prototypes related to the intel-edigital project.
Voice-enabled PDA
In early 2000, IBM began demonstrating a voice enabled PDA.
In February 2000 W.S. "Ozzie" Osborne, general manager of IBM Voice Systems demonstrated a prototype of its Personal Speech Assistant (PSA)/ Personal voice Assistant (PVA)at IBM's Santa Teresa Laboratory in San Jose. Some 2500 research scientists are exploring voice technologies throughout IBM. At this same press briefing, IBM previewed a speech console on the dashboard of a Chrysler that communicates with the driver about the condition of the car.
The PSA/PVA is a snap-on speech recognition base for Palm devices. A prototype contains a speaker, earphone jack, microphone, and -- most importantly -- a coprocessor that provides the necessary computing power to support voice technologies such as speech recognition and text-to-speech. Using IBM's Personal Speech Assistant application, you can navigate through a to-do list, execute several hundred commands, and access your address book. For example, you can say, "Find Bill Smith," and the contact record for Bill Smith opens on-screen.
Dictating a memo is as simple as holding down the record button and speaking into the unit's microphone. The prototype stores audio files in the base's 4MB of flash memory; IBM's compression scheme can contain 30 minutes of audio. The base can also be designed to accommodate removable media such as Compact Flash cards or even a 340MB IBM Microdrive. When you sync the handheld with your desktop PC, IBM's ViaVoice engine on your desktop automatically transcribes the audio clip and uploads the transcript to the handheld. Though not unwieldy, a prototype base adds slightly to the weight and length of an IBM WorkPad unit (running the Palm OS), as demonstrated.
Now, recall FF's 6/99 statement: "Our Intel product design will also be an important technical achievement for our team. A number of prototypes are being developed to Intel's specifications; they include PC downloading capabilities and can interact with third-party software that performs voice-to-text functions and text-to-voice functions. The integration of these functions with convenient hand-held devices is proving to be a rapid growth area for both business and personal use.
In early March 2000. IBM again demoed the PSA at the Mobile Insights conference. Here is a short article reporting about this event:
IBM Puts Voice on Palm
IBM announces ViaVoice version for handhelds, non-PC devices (like cars).
Ephraim Schwartz, InfoWorld
Wednesday, March 08, 2000
As mobility moves the market for processing cycles off the desktop and into the palm, IBM Tuesday took a major step in offering a useable interface for devices with limited keyboards. The company announced an embedded version of its ViaVoice speech engine for handhelds and other nontraditional devices.
At the Mobile Insights 2000 conference here, Big Blue demonstrated its speech recognition and text-to-speech technology on a Palm III personal digital assistant. The Personal Speech Assistant prototype shown on stage was attached to the back of a Palm III, similar to other Palm III add-ons. Inside the PSA unit was the Embedded ViaVoice software, optimized for both the Palm OS and an NEC embedded processor.
In the demonstration, billed as only a technology demo, IBM official David Barnes made numerous voice-command and control calls to the unit, which responded by verifying appointments, taking short messages, and translating selected words into Spanish and Japanese.
Barnes reiterated that IBM is not interested in making the hardware but that its speech division will license the embedded speech software development kit to developers working on almost any platform.
The SDK includes recognition for 500 words, enough for most command and control functions, as well as unlimited text-to-speech capability for reading e-mail messages.
As part of the unit, flash memory was used to store longer voice episodes, which according to Barnes could then be hot-synced via the Palm cradle to a desktop that included a full version of ViaVoice. The desktop version would convert the voice .wav files to text and automatically send them back to the Palm.
IBM would not say which hardware vendors may create products, but a number of PDA as well as car manufacturers are interested.
http://www.pcworld.com/resource/printable/article.asp?aid=15638
Read comments about the IBM PSA project from Paul Fernhout, who personally worked on the project: http://www.investorshub.com/boards/read_msg.asp?message_id=94339
In 3/00 IBM followed up this demonstration with the release of an embedded version of its ViaVoice speech engine for handhelds. Additionally, IBM's embedded ViaVoice will enable other devices, such as cars and telephones themselves, to take voice commands. Recall Ron Smith's comments made 8 months later that the technology used in the car, PDA, and phone are substantially the same.
NEC-a VoiceTimes member
Did you note the reference to a NEC processor above? At first I was bothered by this reference thinking that maybe this is not an intel/edig project. However, I now realize that IBM's PDA, the WorkPad z50 is powered by a NEC MIPS 131 MHz (5) processor, has 16MB RAM standard, (upgradable to 48 MB) and 20MB (6) ROM. It includes an integrated 33.6Kbps (7) modem, serial port, SVGA external port, speaker, microphone and Infrared port for wireless transfer of data between desktop PCs and other mobile devices. IBM Mobile Connect, an IBM pervasive computing application, helps to improve performance by synchronizing Palm OS and Windows CE-based devices directly with corporate networks, moving synchronization from an individual's desktop PC to a company's server. Also, remember that NEC is now also a member of the VoiceTimes alliance.
Additionally, voice recognition software requires more power than an NEC processor provides. Recently, I came across message board posts relating to an NEC laptop:
re NEC MobilePro 790 October 19, 2000
The reason why NEC won't be (apparently) using one of their own processors in the next-generation HPC2000 MobilePro 790 is that the NEC VR processor has a maximum clock speed of 168Mhz.
A quote from a reliable source at NEC ref the new HPC 2000 offering for NEC.
"The new NEC 790 significantly improves on the fine attributes of the NEC 780. New features include 64MB 50 mhz SDRAM, a TFT color screen and magnesium alloy case. Overall dimensions remain generally the same as the NEC 780. Boasting a StrongArm 206 Mhz processor, this is the system to beat in this form factor."
The IBM's VoiceTimes' alliance webpage made a special point of discussing the PVA and survey results taken:
"IBM Voice Systems presented a Technology Concept Demo at Mobile Insights 2000 (MI2000) that featured a voice-enabled IBM WorkPad handheld computer. This concept demo was dubbed the "PVA" (Personal Voice Assistant). The PVA demo was created as a concept demo, designed to demonstrate voice recognition technology in a handheld device. IBM made no promise to announce the PVA as a product, nor did IBM make any guarantee to announce a voice-enabled handheld device in the future.
The PVA demo was voted best of show. The demo showcased award-winning IBM Embedded ViaVoice technology that was used to activate standard PDA tasks such as Address Book, To-do List, Memo, Calendar, etc. Attendee feedback demonstrated that smart handheld devices (SHDs) such as PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants) can be used more effectively when users are able to interact with them using voice commands.
The IBM PVA Demo showcased voice input and Text-To-Speech (TTS) output. It was shown on a lab-built cradle that housed a microphone, speaker, battery and the LRCC (Low Resource Command and Control) IBM ViaVoice Speech Engine. A Palm III or a Palm V could be snapped into the cradle through the onboard serial port. The hardware shown was conceptual in nature and was designed only to demonstrate the function and capabilities of voice-enabling.
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