OTTAWA and GOTHENBURG, June 27, 2006 - Wireless connectivity for such advanced applications as streaming music between in-car audio systems and portable players are a step closer to an automobile near you, thanks to a new technology partnership between QNX Software Systems and Mecel.
Mecel, a provider of automotive-grade software solutions, recently demonstrated the "Multiple Audio Streams and Handsfree" Bluetooth application at automotive electronics exhibitions in Taiwan and Sweden. Running atop the QNX® Neutrino® realtime operating system, Mecel's application is targeted at providing driver and passengers the maximum flexibility to enjoy an individual listening experience, while at the same time being able to make and receive phone calls using the Bluetooth HandsFree Profile.
Mecel, a subsidiary of Delphi Corporation, has worked with the QNX Neutrino realtime operating system on several projects, including the Saab 9-3 infotainment unit, which incorporates Mecel's Bluetooth stack and profiles with QNX operating system technologies.
"This provides further evidence of the expanded use of the QNX Neutrino RTOS, from ultra-reliable in-car systems into the area of multimedia and entertainment," says Andrew Poliak, automotive segment manager at QNX. "Combined with a robust, efficient, and multimedia-enabled protocol implementation like the Mecel Bluetooth SDK, the possibilities to create innovative 'infotainment' applications for the automotive market are endless."
The infotainment head unit (traditional car stereo system) will become an "audio hub" of future cars. The Bluetooth Advanced Audio Distribution (A2DP) Profile will enable users to stream music from portable devices to the vehicle system and listen to it through the integrated sound system. In parallel, the head unit may stream other audio content (CDs or radio channels) to passengers wearing Bluetooth stereo headsets.
"We are seeing a lot of interest in our solution from infotainment developers. The increased awareness of Bluetooth in general, and the emergence of phones and headsets that support stereo audio streaming via Bluetooth has finally put Bluetooth in focus for next-generation vehicle infotainment systems," says Jonas Norell, Bluetooth Product Manger at Mecel. "This has been our vision for a long time and now we find ourselves in a very strong position to deliver the software building blocks that the market requires. A customer working on a QNX platform could have the Mecel Bluetooth SDK added in no time and gain a lot of new and exciting functionality. As a member of both the Bluetooth SIG Car Working Group and the Audio/Video Working Group, and with a long history of successful Bluetooth product launches, Mecel is determined to continue to play a leading role within the development of Bluetooth applications for automotive."
About Mecel
Mecel AB, a subsidiary of Delphi Corporation, with main operations in Gothenburg, Sweden, is a systems, software, and service development company with more than 20 years' experience in developing solutions for the automotive industry. With expertise in on-board application platforms (WinCE, Java, embedded systems), communication concepts (CAN, MOST, Bluetooth, GSM), and off-board service development, Mecel can with its 110 employees manage all kinds of systems and software development programs. Further information about Mecel products, and services is available at www.mecel.se.
About QNX Software Systems
QNX Software Systems, a Harman International company (NYSE: HAR), is the industry leader in realtime, embedded OS technology. The component-based architectures of the QNX® Neutrino® RTOS and QNX Momentics® development suite together provide the industry's most reliable and scalable framework for building innovative, high-performance embedded systems. Global leaders such as Cisco, DaimlerChrysler, General Electric, Lockheed Martin, and Siemens depend on QNX technology for network routers, medical instruments, vehicle telematics units, security and defense systems, industrial robotics, and other mission- or life-critical applications. Founded in 1980, QNX Software Systems is headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, and distributes products in over 100 countries worldwide. Visit www.qnx.com.