Microsoft, Siemens team on auto infotainment

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Sep. 07, 2007

Microsoft has scored another big win for its Windows CE-based "Microsoft Auto" technologies. It has joined forces with Siemens VDO to create a "new generation of automotive infotainment systems" that will be sold as early as 2009, the companies said in a statement.

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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 recognition
Microsoft'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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