Trimble announced today at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) that it has been selected as the GPS technology provider for the Microsoft Auto PC platform. Trimble’s GPS provides real-time location for navigating and it can also be used as a geographic data filter, sorting information of interest to the driver by its proximity to the car. By including Trimble’s Sierrao chipset into the reference design, Microsoft has made it easy for manufacturers looking to implement the Auto PC to integrate GPS technology.
“The addition of GPS location technology from Trimble transforms the
Auto PC into an even richer and more valuable design for automotive electronic manufacturers,” said Harel Kodesh, General Manager, Consumer Appliance Group at Microsoft Corp. “Support from companies such as Trimble
will help add to the success of the Windows CE platform, allowing consumers to communicate in new ways while driving in their automobiles.”
“The benefits of linking driver information systems with the world’s most
commonly used operating system are tremendous,” said David Hall, Vice
President and General Manager of Trimble’s Software & Component Technologies
Group. “The Auto PC allows drivers the ability to transition seamlessly from
home or office computing to the mobile computing environment. Microsoft is
paving the way for more developers to pursue a deeper integration of
functionality in their future driver information systems.”
Microsoft’s Auto PC
The Auto PC is the latest member of Microsoft’s PC Companion line of
products powered by the Microsoft Windows CE operating system. By extending
the power of Windows to the automobile, it brings the benefits of
connectivity, communication and entertainment to the mobile environment. With
worldwide support from auto manufacturers, aftermarket electronics firms and
independent software and hardware vendors, the car stereo-sized device can be
easily installed in the dashboard of most automobiles and integrates
navigation and communications applications designed to assist drivers, as well
as an AM/FM radio and CD player.
Based on a version of Windows CE 2.0 optimized for the specific
requirements of the automotive market, Auto PC responds to verbal commands and
uses speech synthesis to communicate pertinent information back to the
passengers, allowing drivers to keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the
road.
Trimble and In-Car Navigation
Trimble’s relationship with Microsoft is the latest in a series placing
the company at the center of the fastest-growing sector of the GPS industry.
According to the U.S. GPS Industry Council, car navigation will grow from
$310 million in 1995 to $3 billion by 2000. The Council estimates that the GPS
industry as a whole will grow to over $8 billion by the year 2000.
By industry estimates, Trimble has approximately 30% of the worldwide
market for GPS engines at the heart of car navigation systems.
