Fiat
Auto and Microsoft''s automotive business unit have come
together for a long-term strategic automotive partnership
developing innovative telematics solutions for motorists.
The
objective of the partnership is to design telematics systems
that will provide drivers with a solution to communicate
effectively with the outside world. They will allow the
users'' own devices such as cellular phones, pocket PCs
or Windows mobile devices to integrate with the vehicle.
Motorists
will be able to use standard information services, including
web services and hands-free phone. Bluetooth connectivity
ensures that drivers'' personal address book and contacts
will be easily accessible in the car as well as digital
music through a USB connection. In addition, drivers will
also have access to services including off board navigation
and real-time traffic information such as those offered
by bConnect.
Magneti
Marelli, Fiat Group automotive components'' arm, will contribute
to the venture by building the hardware on which the systems
are integrated. The device from Magneti Marelli will be
based on a reference design developed by Microsoft and
Fiat Auto.
"Fiat
Auto is at the forefront of telematics, having been among
the first carmakers to feature a wide range of devices
in all its vehicles. We are very pleased to have Microsoft,
a great innovator in the software industry and a leading
expert in designing flexible platforms, as a partner in
a unique business model based on recreating, on board,
the computer world and structure", says Walter Mortara,
senior vice president, product and process engineering
of Fiat Auto.
"Fiat
Auto has consistently developed cars that have been affordable,
practical and have greatly contributed to the motorisation
of entire countries. We are very excited in teaming up
with Fiat Auto as we can bring industry-leading, yet practical
telematics solutions, to motorists," comments Pieter
Knook, senior vice president of the mobile and embedded
devices division of Microsoft Corporation.
"By
combining Fiat''s knowledge of the auto industry with our
knowledge
of software, together we will be able to meet the needs
of drivers and passengers for an enjoyable and safer in-car
experience," he added.
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