The announcement drives Microsoft technology into the fast lane, given that Siemens VDO's customers are a "who's who" of the European auto industry. Siemens VDO -- in the process of being acquired by tire and components supplier Continental -- produces instruments and other devices for Audi, BMW, Fiat, Ford, Opel, Volkswagen, and other auto manufacturers.
Siemens VDO's in-car navigation with voice recognitionMicrosoft's
automotive technologies have been known by various names -- including
Windows Automotive (2003),
Windows Mobile for Automotive (2006), and
Microsoft Auto (2007) -- depending on the year or the customer. Additionally, Fiat calls its implementation of the platform "
Blue&Me," while Ford calls its version "
Sync."
In today's Microsoft/Siemens announcement, the technology cited is Microsoft Auto, which Microsoft says is built on Windows CE 5.0, but with a virtual memory expansion tool that lets DLLs occupy up to a total of 96 MB. It's also said to feature the Automotive User Interface Toolkit (AUITK), a sophisticated graphical user interface framework design tool and compact runtime environment.
Additionally, Microsoft Auto includes a hardware reference design that features:
- 32-bit 400 MHz ARM11 processor
- 256 MB NAND flash memory, 64 MB DDRAM
- Field programming gate array (FPGA)
- Cell phone module capable
- GPS receiver capable
- CAN bus interface
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Microphone for voice interaction with system
- USB 2.0 host connections
- IEEE 1394
- UART connections
Many of the interfaces listed above are important to Siemens VDO, which said its use of the platform will focus on connecting portable electronic entertainment devices. "By using the ... robust and general-purpose in-car software technology, Siemens VDO will be able to fully concentrate on its key competencies of system design, vehicle integration, driver assistance systems and safety systems," Siemens added.
Martin Thall, general manager of the Automotive Business Unit at Microsoft, stated, "We are pleased that Siemens VDO has chosen Microsoft as their software partner. The extremely flexible and modular nature of the Microsoft Auto platform makes it perfectly suited to provide a range of innovative infotainment solutions."
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