Responding to the growing desire of drivers to remain connected to their information and entertainment, even while on the go Microsoft has created a set of platforms to enable carmakers and their suppliers to meet this demands. They are:
Microsoft Auto 3.0 provides an integrated middleware stack and hardware reference design for a more robust starting point. A comprehensive hardware/software reference platform, Microsoft Auto enables carmakers and suppliers to more quickly and easily build a solution that provides consumers with features such as mobile device integration, speech recognition, infotainment and provide rich user experience such as:
- Easily placing a hands-free call from the comfort of their seat
- Voice readout of incoming text messages
- Drivers or passengers can use their voice to select an artist, genre, album, or even a specific song on their iPod, Zune, or other media player – even a USB memory stick – and enjoy it over their car’s speakers
Windows Automotive 5.0 offers complete control over the implementation of your device, with a variety of specialized tools to help tune your designs as you develop them. Windows Automotive helps:
- Enables designers who are not programmers to develop the user interface at a desktop PC.
- Facilitates the development of high-quality user interface “skins” that connect to the core application program.
- Eliminates the need to write user interface code in most applications and shortens development time.
Who are making the waves here:
* Carmakers and suppliers around the globe have based their automotive infotainment solutions on Microsoft’s platforms. Drivers and passengers can now experience Microsoft Auto or Windows Automotive technology in over 150 preinstalled and aftermarket devices from 18 world-class automakers and suppliers including Acura, BMW, Citroën, Clarion Co. Ltd., Chrysler, Fiat, Ford, Subaru, Honda, Hyundai, Mitsubishi, NexTech, Toyota and Volvo.
Microsoft and Hyundai-Kia Automative group to develop next generation of In-Car Infotaintment
* Microsoft Introduces “EcoDrive”. EcoDrive collects all necessary data relating to vehicle efficiency, environmental performance including CO2 emission level, provides tips to reduce CO2, save fuel and be a green-ready card.
How you can leverage from all this?
If you can developed a Windows Auto based application, you can always sell/market to this big giants. At the moment, the market is still in its early stages. So, take a look at
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsautomotive/default.mspx
Go through the development cycle, contact them for the development engines, sample applications, and look for partners.
My take on this is:
“Whatever applications today are available on a PC, mobile etc. would be able to run on a Car System”
So opourtunities are HUGH…
START YOUR ENGINE NOW!
Cheers!