Archive of the Business Category

Hella KGaA Hueck & Co. has developed a digital throttle-body position sensor with a SENT (Single Edge Nibble Transmission) protocol interface. The sensor, planned for deployment later this year in select vehicles of a U.S. automaker, provides an alternative to analog sensors.

Martin Fischer, president of Hella‘s Corporate Center USA and Hella Electronics Corporation, said the SENT protocol, first approved by SAE International in 2006, was created for the transmission of accurate, high-resolution sensor data to an electronic control unit (ECU).

Fischer said digital SENT sensors provide a low-cost alternative to analog sensors on Controller Area Network (CAN) or Local Interconnect Network (LIN) digital buses. “For cost reasons, it‘s not necessary to use CAN- and LIN-bus systems in every case,” he said.

“Using the example of a throttle-body sensor, where a travel angle must be detected, the sensor acquires data and converts it into a digital value that is transmitted to the ECU, where it is decoded. Today, data is transmitted in an analog form, but digital technology is able to provide more functionality.”

Fischer said that unlike analog transmissions, where signals can be altered, the SENT protocol allows for a more robust signal transmission. He added that Hella‘s electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) design for the SENT interface makes the sensor insensitive to interference, so shielded or twisted cables are no longer needed to fulfill automotive EMC requirements.

The SENT protocol permits compact packaging since two signals can be transmitted over a single wire, reducing the need for additional cables and cutting costs.

Hella pairs the SENT protocol with its CIPOS (Contactless Inductive Position Sensor) technology. CIPOS sensors measure travel or angle changes regardless of high temperatures and vibrations.

ATX Group has enhanced the automatic collision notification (ACN) application it provides as part of BMW Assist. For most 2009 and later BMW models, BMW Assist will send additional data from the vehicle‘s control units to the BMW Assist response center in the event of a crash. The data will be evaluated at the response center using an algorithm developed jointly with BMW and the William Lehman Injury Research Center at the University of Miami. The analysis allows the response center to determine the risk of severe injury, thus helping emergency services set dispatch priority and identify the appropriate response team and treatment facility.

ATX President Steve Millstein called the system enhancement “a critical next step” in using vehicle generated-data to help emergency dispatchers assess the nature of the emergency more quickly, and aid emergency responders in more accurately determining triage criteria. “It has the potential to save precious minutes in identifying and transferring critically injured patients to the appropriate care, as well as providing more information to prepare awaiting hospital emergency staff,” he said.

HUGHES Telematics will support Next Generation Telematics Protocol if it doesn‘t already, according to Kevin Link, vice president of marketing.

BMW, Connexis LLC, and WirelessCar were the first organizations to collaborate under the NGTP banner. Their goal is to establish a more stable and uniform interface infrastructure for end-to-end telematics services.

“When we started to develop a telematics system for Chrysler, we wanted to ensure that our architecture would be open to support other OEMs,” said Link. “When we met with NGTP thought leaders last year, we realized that our paths not only crossed, but were aligned. Their goal and ours is to have the flexibility to integrate pieces along the telematics value chain so as not to become locked in.”

Link said the NGTP vision has been defined, but agreement has yet to be reached on protocol specifications. “We think we‘ve implemented NGTP, because our OEM customers - using different hardware suppliers, carriers, and call center providers - all hook into the same system. We‘ve created an open platform, and when the NGTP protocols are defined, we will adopt them. “ In the meantime, Link said that HUGHES Telematics intends to continue working with the NGTP.

HUGHES plans to market its OEM telematics solutions under the Cocero brand, it markets fleet services through its Networkfleet subsidiary, formerly known as Networkcar, and at CES HUGHES announced its entry into the aftermarket with a product called in-Drive, aimed at OEMs, insurance companies, and auto clubs.

Link said in-Drive can support usage-based insurance or pay as you drive (PAYD) programs. It can also be used for stolen vehicle or family vehicle identification, and could include a button to push for emergency or roadside assistance. “It‘s not a full-service replica of our embedded solution, but it can provide several valuable services.”

Freescale Semiconductor and Dongfeng Motor Corporation plan to establish an automotive electronics lab in China aimed at jointly developing silicon, software and system-level solutions for chassis and safety and in-car infotainment and navigation technologies.

Last year Freescale announced similar collaboration plans with Chery Automobile Company. Ray Cornyn, global head of Freescale‘s microcontroller business, said Freescale operates other joint laboratories in the U.S. and Europe, and has a lab of its own in Shanghai.

Freescale and Dongfeng plan to cooperate in body electronics, powertrain control, and hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) technologies with 32-bit Power Architecture MCUs as well as16-bit S12X and 8-bit S08 devices, and analog ICs. Dongfeng has an S12-based electronic control unit in production, and has developed an engine control system based on 32-bit Freescale MPC5xx MCUs that it plans to migrate to MPC563x MCUs for green engine control. Dongfeng and Freescale will also work together on hybrid control and automated manual transmission technologies, AUTOSAR applications, in-vehicle networking solutions, and low-end body control modules.

At the Consumer Electronics Show Toyota‘s U.S. sales organization, Toyota Motor Sales, announced a two-tiered telematics service with ATX Group, a subsidiary of Cross Country Automotive Services, as its primary partner.

Jon Bucci, vice president of Toyota Motor Sales‘ advanced technology department, said the Safety Connect telematics service will be available on select Toyota models beginning in late summer. Lexus Enform, which leverages Safety Connect and provides additional safety and convenience services, will be available for select Lexus models around the same time.

All Safety Connect and Lexus Enform calls — for automatic collision notification, stolen vehicle location, emergency assistance, roadside assistance and directions requests — will go directly to Toyota’s dedicated ATX response center.

When an emergency situation develops, Toyota Safety Connect subscribers can press an emergency assistance (SOS) button to reach the response center quickly and communicate their emergency. Using embedded cellular and GPS technology, the agent will assess the situation and dispatch the necessary assistance based on the type of emergency.

The response center will be automatically notified of an airbag deployment or a severe rear-end collision. When the response center agent receives the vehicle ID and the vehicle’s location, the agent can speak with the driver to ascertain the level of emergency. If the driver is unable to communicate, the agent will automatically treat the call as an emergency and will use the vehicle’s GPS location to determine the nearest Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) available to provide emergency support. The agent will offer to stay on the line until emergency assistance arrives.

The Safety Connect response center will be available for roadside assistance 24 hours a day via the SOS button. Response center agents will help drivers receive aid for towing, jump start, flat tire, fuel delivery, or other needs.

“While a portion of the industry appears to be migrating to reliance upon wireless handheld devices to deliver in-vehicle safety, we’ve followed our engineering insights and Toyota’s G-Book and G-Link roots in Japan,” Bucci said.

“Based on our experience and research, our core safety and security technology (Safety Connect) is embedded in the vehicle to help ensure reliability and responsiveness. Safety Connect and Lexus Enform are the results of several years of due diligence and dedicated teams working in partnership with our highly experienced providers.”

Bucci said Toyota rejected a one-size-fits-all approach, recognizing that in Toyota and Lexus it has two distinct markets for telematics products and services.

Lexus Enform includes two convenience-based services, Destination Assist and eDestination, both enabled by Toyota’s dedicated ATX call center. Destination Assist provides live-operator assistance with finding destinations at the press of a button. While either parked or driving, the driver will be able to connect to an operator to ask for help finding local points of interest. Once the driver tells the operator their choice, the destination is sent wirelessly to the vehicle’s navigation system.

The eDestination feature will allow the user to go online via the Lexus owners‘ web site to select and organize destinations of their choice and send them wirelessly to their vehicle. Lexus Enform-subscribed owners will be able to search for destinations by point of interest (POI) name, category, or address, in Lexus’ POI database, which is also in the vehicle’s navigation system. Vehicle owners can build a library of destinations in up to 20 customized folders with up to 10 destinations per folder. Through an arrangement with Zagat, Enform subscribers will have easy access to Zagat content, including Zagat-rated restaurants nationwide.

On MY10 Lexus RX vehicles, Toyota plans to offer VoiceBox Technologies‘ Conversational Voice Search software to control many functions of the audio system, HVAC, and the navigation system, as well as Bluetooth calls. Rather than having to speak commands in a specific order, drivers can use natural, free-form language, such as “Call Bob at home,” “make it cooler,” or “where‘s the nearest gas station?”

Along with its telematics announcements, Toyota is expanding its XM satellite radio offerings to include XM NavTraffic on more Lexus and Toyota models, as well as XMNavWeather, and XM Sports and Stocks on most Lexus models.

XM will also provide Toyota with proprietary bandwidth for brief “Lexus Insider” audio programs on vehicle technology insights, tips on the subscriber‘s specific Lexus model, updates on Lexus-exclusive regional events; and selections from Lexus magazine lifestyle articles. Subscribers will also receive Insider insights into exclusive destinations appealing to Lexus drivers.

Visteon has licensed Immersion Corporation‘s touch feedback technology and plans to demonstrate product concepts at the Consumer Electronics Show (booth CP13 in the Central Plaza). Visteon and Immersion expect to have to have haptic button packs, haptic-enabled displays, and interior control modules ready for market by 2010.

Steve Meszaros, president of Visteon‘s electronics product group, said automotive human-machine interfaces must evolve to help drivers do more without increasing distraction. Touch sensations and feedback similar to what consumers are accustomed to with portable electronics devices are part of an ongoing trend to integrate consumer electronics and the characteristics of personal devices into the vehicle.

Chuck Joseph, senior vice president and general manager of Immersion‘s Touch Interface Products group, said that haptics can increase user speed and accuracy, reduce complication and stress, and improve user satisfaction. The technology can assist drivers by reducing glance time and decreasing driver distraction, which promotes safety.

Cross Country Automotive Services, a market leader in roadside assistance services, has acquired telematics service provider ATX Group. Both firms are privately held, and terms of the deal were not disclosed. The combined entity is expected to generate revenues of more than $400 million.

Michael Saxton, chief executive officer of Cross Country Automotive Services, is the CEO of the combined organization (the deal closed on Sep. 15) and Steve Millstein, CEO and president of ATX Group, is now president of Cross Country Automotive Services and general manager, telematics. Millstein said Cross Country and ATX will continue to operate as separate entities while leveraging each other‘s technology and customer relationships.

Cross Country said the acquisition expands Cross Country‘s client base and infrastructure into Europe and complements its presence in China. The combined company employs more than 2,300 people to serve some 76 million customers of automotive, insurance and other companies. It operates four data centers and seven call centers and handles 16 million-plus calls per year.

ATX‘s services include location-specific emergency and roadside assistance, automatic collision notification, stolen vehicle recovery, remote diagnostics and real-time traffic and navigation assistance. ATX also offers services to help OEMs and dealerships manage customer relationships. ATX currently serves approximately one million owners of vehicles from BMW, PSA Peugeot Citroën, Mercedes-Benz, Maybach, and Rolls-Royce in North America and Western Europe.

“Prior to the acquisition, Cross Country was well on its way to developing a telematics solution that is consistent with where we see the technology headed,” said Phil Magney, who heads iSuppli‘s automotive research practice.

Earlier this year Cross Country introduced a telematics system called MERJ, featuring technology from Continental AG, Macrovision‘s All Media Guide Services (AMG), and TeleCommunication Systems (TCS). MERJ combined navigation, infotainment, and vehicle monitoring and diagnostics, and promised to transform a mobile phone into a personalized, connected navigation device.

Magney said the ATX acquisition enables Cross Country to jump-start its telematics strategy. “ATXI has a lot of know-how and back-end support, as well as clients. The combination seems to be logical.”

Gartner vice president Thilo Koslowski said the acquisition is a positive development in the telematics and vehicle ICT (information and communication technologies) that comes at a critical time for both companies.

Cross Country has been working on telematics technology for the past three years but has not yet signed an OEM customer, though Koslowski said it‘s close to doing so. ATX, meanwhile, has recently faced increasing competition and lost one of its long-term automaker clients (Mercedes-Benz USA) to Hughes Telematics. Koslowski said the combined company will help ATX protect its current customer base, create additional reasons to attract new customers, and expedite Cross Country’s efforts to start working with automakers.

Gartner predicts that by the end of 2008 virtually all vehicle manufacturers will at least have finalized a Vehicle ICT strategy that they will begin to execute in their next generation vehicles.

Millstein described the deal as “a win, win, win, win,” for employees, the market, OEM customers, and share owners in both companies. He said that ATX has gained business recently and he expects at least one OEM to make an announcement relatively soon. “We‘re launching a number of programs over the next two or three years and expect to grow from one million subscribers (since the company‘s formation in 1996) to 2.5 million over the next three to four years.”

The combined company has “more resources, girth, depth, capital, experience, and capabilities” and is well-positioned “in areas that OEMs need to play in,” including roadside safety and security, VRM (vendor relationship management) services, remote interaction with customers (e.g., vehicle diagnostics and ATX‘s .car web domain initiative), according to Millstein.

He said the acquisition anticipates product/service development and infrastructure synergies but “not one penny of economic synergy - we intend to create new revenue streams.” The firms began discussions in April, and Millstein said he has “rarely if ever seen an acquisition in which both organizations share common visions and cultures (as do ATX and Cross Country). “Normally, something appears that‘s problematic, but this has been going quite smoothly.”

Omron is poised to enter the active safety market with a system that demonstrates sensor fusion. It combines LIDAR-based adaptive cruise control system with camera-based lane departure warning. The firm has configured a demo vehicle - a Mercedes C320 - with a black and white camera and a dashboard display. The CMOS camera displays the road ahead, highlighting the lane markers in red. The dashboard displays two broken lines converging, plus an icon representing a vehicle ahead, when one is present. The Omron system, which operates on a CAN bus, links up with the Mercedes cruise control system, the speed of which can be set in one mile per-hour increments, so a driver can set a comfortable trailing distance. What‘s especially cool about the system, however, is the way it nudges a driver with a clear but gentle tug on the wheel in the proper direction - toward the center of the lane - when the vehicle drifts over a lane marker. The haptic signal may not be firm enough to awaken a truly drowsy driver, but Omron also has an internal camera in development.

Continental AG, which paid approximately $1 billion in April a year ago for Motorola‘s automotive electronics business, is now investing $15.6 billion (€11.4 billion) to acquire Siemens VDO Automotive AG. It‘s Continental‘s largest-ever purchase. With combined sales of $34.3 billion (€25 billion) and a work force of nearly 140,000, the firm will rank in the automotive electronics industry‘s top five. The deal is expected to be closed in Q4 and the firms integrated by the end of 2009. There‘s no word yet on workforce reduction or the effect of the merger on specific product lines.