Cars and Computers: Microsoft Develops New Technologies for the Automobile Industry

Microsoft focuses on the big picture while developing technologies for integration points throughout the automobile-manufacturing process:-
The numbers speak for themselves. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, Americans spend more than 500 million "commuter hours" per week in their automobiles. More than 650 million cars are registered worldwide, and more than 55 million new cars are sold annually.
Automobiles, the ultimate in mobility, still play a key role in the lives of people around the world -- and theyre here to stay.
So are computers. While carburetors and operating systems may seem like strange bedfellows, the bond between high-tech and what began as Henry Fords dream in Detroit is growing stronger and deeper by the day.
Technology is at work when you drive a car, when you buy one, when you interact with a dealer and even at the automotive assembly plant. According to Microsoft, the company is committed to helping consumers, dealers, manufacturers and suppliers save money and time at key points throughout the automobile industry

Operating Systems and Infrastructures Developed Specifically for the Automobile Industry:-

"The automobile industry is a very important area of focus for Microsoft," says Jeff Brown, marketing manager in Microsofts Automotive Business Unit.
Working in close partnership with companies such as AAA Response, Bosch, Clarion, Delphi, Denso, Siemens and Visteon, Microsoft is developing technologies that will likely alter the very look and feel of the daily commute. While many of these services and devices are still under development, Brown mentions Internet-based information such as news, traffic updates, instant messaging, navigation assistance and back-seat entertainment systems as examples.
And just in case the use of cellular phones and other handheld devices becomes illegal while driving, Brown says that many of the new and emerging technologies are voice activated. Microsoft has developed Speech Application Programming Interface (SAPI) so that drivers hands remain on the wheel and their eyes on the road.
"Were not new to this business," Brown says. "Weve been building operating systems that are truly built for the automotive sector for four years now."
Microsoft Windows CE for Automotive an operating system Microsoft has developed and fine-tuned to bridge the gap between technology and the industrial revolution is currently in its third version.
Microsoft Windows CE for Automotive is a critical component of the companys recently unveiled Car.NET Framework, an infrastructure that, according to Microsoft, revolutionizes computing and communications in the automobile industry.
"The Car.NET Framework has its origins in the Microsoft .NET initiative," Brown says, citing Microsofts vision of making computing available any time, any place and on any device. "Working with a range of partners, we plan to develop and distribute services that, combined with in-vehicle electronics audio and video, for example, or navigation will empower carmakers, automotive suppliers and service providers to make traveling easier, more entertaining, less stressful and safer."
Introduced in October 2000, the Car.NET platform applies Microsofts .NET principles to the automotive industry in a number of ways. The platforms framework provides the infrastructure and tools to build and operate services based on eXtensible Markup Language, or XML, which provides a common method for identifying data from multiple sources.
"From the consumers perspective, the key is that this XML-based .NET framework will allow a range of devices to interact seamlessly with a wide range of Web services, which gives the consumer more and better information and entertainment choices in the car," Brown says.
Microsofts Mobile Information Server will provide the server platform interface for the wireless delivery of Web services to mobile devices. This server platform will support connection to any Web service, including email servers such as Microsoft Exchange or Lotus Notes. Microsoft says it will work with industry partners to develop new services, including support for synchronized email, email browsing and remote software updates.
"Were definitely on the road," Brown says. "Weve got the operating system, and weve got an experienced team, and were moving. Weve developed Windows CE for Automotive to enable system manufacturers to build next-generation, in-car computing systems that improve safety, communications, information and entertainment."
The third version of Windows CE for Automotive, according to Brown, includes a number of key updates.
New debugging tools make sure applications work hand-in-hand with the operating system, improving reliability. There is increased flexibility for application programming interfaces (APIs) via an open, or customizable, configuration and platform builder kits.
Other improvements include new video sourcing and enhanced power management. "Windows CE for Automotive is smart enough to know when the technologys not being used and therefore doesnt suck the juice out of the battery," Brown says.
Microsoft also tested extensively the Critical Process Monitor (CPM) to make sure it prevents system crashes and protects the system from viruses. Run-time recovery capabilities are built in to ensure that the system will detect and automatically recover from failures.
Telematics or wireless data delivery is expected to become a $20 billion industry by 2005. By 2006, experts predict that 50 percent of all new cars and 90 percent of the higher-end models will have telematic-capable appliances. Microsoft, in partnership with developers, device manufacturers and service providers, is ready to pave the road.
"Were moving from static to smart Web-based devices that can be programmed using XML," Brown says. "Weve programmed Windows CE for automotive, our operating system, to be more flexible and more scalable. In doing so, were committing ourselves to the whole new wireless world."