It’s been a busy week in the telematics (in-car communications) field, capped
by a Microsoft-Toyota deal in which the car maker agreed to employ Windows CE for Automotive as
the heart of its new in-car “G-Book” information network.
Toyota says its G-Book offering, scheduled to debut in October, “will connect
people, cars and society.”
And where Toyota goes, Honda is never far behind, as the company said it
would offer a new voice-operated car navigation system on its Accord sedan
starting this fall.
Honda, Japan’s No. 2 automaker, said its navigation system, called InterNavi
Premium Club, offers regularly updated traffic reports, news, maintenance and
other information as well as the ability to send e-mail. It will be available
as an option and updates of the cell-phone-based system’s DVD map software
will be free for three years.
Toyota’s G-Book interactive service will replace its current “Monet” service
and will offer everything from downloading music and playing games to e-mail
and e-commerce, in addition to basic navigation help and access to emergency
roadside service. At least for now, G-Book and InterNavi are only being
offered in Japan.
But the telematics wave is clearly rolling down the highway — BMW launched
an in-car service based on Windows CE last March.
Microsoft teamed
with Accenture last January to deliver advanced
automotive telematics solutions, including wireless Internet connections, to
the industry.
Windows CE for Automotive is a real-time embedded operating system that
enables new categories of in-car computers designed to provide hands-free
communication, access to personalized information on the Internet and other
convenience and entertainment applications.
“We are very proud of our work with Toyota to deliver an advanced information
network system that connects people any time, anywhere and on any device,”
said Dick Brass, vice president of technology development overseeing the
automotive efforts at Microsoft.
Toyota hasn’t disclosed the price of its new services, but the company said
that it hopes around 30 to 40 percent of its passenger car owners will
eventually become subscribers to G-Book.
The G-Book uses a data communication module, allowing Toyota to charge a flat
fee while Honda’s system requires the use of a cell phone, with customers
paying for transmission time.
The leader in the field is GM’s OnStar, a telematics service available in
2003 Acura, Isuzu, Volkswagen, Lexus, Audi, Subaru and GM models, among
others. OnStar includes a navigation system that lets you call an OnStar
center if you’re lost, and offers roadside assistance and safety features.
However, OnStar is $695 option on GM models, plus a monthly charge. UConnect,
a $300 DaimlerChrysler option, synchronizes your handheld and hands-free
in-car cell phone.
Microsoft says its Windows CE for Automotive technology is featured in the
computing and communications systems of 12 car models from five auto
manufacturers worldwide.
UBS Warburg Ltd.’s Telematics Research has predicted that by 2006, nearly 33
percent of all automobiles sold will include a telematics system.
And In-Stat/MDR says that all cars will
eventually be produced with some degree of embedded telematics systems and
predicts that the number of subscribers to Internet-based telematics services
worldwide will rise from approximately 27,000 in 2001 to just over 5 million
in 2006.
But there will be some fallout along the way: Wingcast, a joint venture
between Ford and QUALCOMM
, has had its
wings clipped before even really getting off the ground.
The two companies dissolved their partnership last June. They had planned to
provide telematics in some model year 2003 vehicles and compete with General
Motors’ OnStar service as the premiere Internet-in-your-car
system.
