 | November 1, 2000 |
Safety first
Trio moves toward safe in-car computing
All the excitement around wireless Internet access in the car could crash head-on into the safety concerns that have already arisen over driver cell-phone use. Delphi Automotive Systems, Palm, and venture-capital firm Mayfield Fund have together launched a company called MobileAria to avert that collision.
The company aims to keep drivers' hands on the wheel and eyes on the road via voice recognition. MobileAria will develop an open service platform for a voice-driven system that integrates handheld computers,
mobile phones, personalized information, and Internet content. Expected to launch during Q2 2001, MobileAria's initial offering will provide voice-activated access to applications like email, news, weather, stock quotes, flight information, directions, and traffic alerts.
The subscription service will initially be available as an aftermarket product and, later, as a new-car option. The inaugural service will arrive on an integrated hardware system comprising Delphi's Communiport Mobile Productivity Center, a mobile phone, and a Palm handheld.
Further ahead, MobileAria plans to support hardware from other firms.
—Margot Suydam
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