2012 Kia UVO for US can be considered a success and there is no reason to question this, as it provides a wide range of options based on voice-commanding. In this context, although hard to believe, Kia is determined not to waste time and returns to the lab, decided to come up with a second-gen UVO interface which not to require a smartphone to become functional and which to be suitable for all its markets.
The car would feature a screen, like a tablet computer, and allows the user to choose from a series of icons and screens. In addition to this, the system will be fully voice controlled, will provide the option of downloading applications. According to Kia’s representatives, the information could be accessed by only using a paired phone; unlike UVO, the smartphone connection remains optional.
“You can hook your phone up and integrate your phone into it, but the phone is not necessary for this system to operate. (…) (But) if you hook your smartphone up to it, you can view the contents of what’s on your cell phone on the touchscreen.” said Kia spokesman Michael Choo.
The good news is that this new technology should be available into all Kia’s international markets, although it was developed specifically for the United States.
“As of now, UVO is only for North America, whereas the next-generation is intended to be globally applicable.” (Choo)
So, Kia’s new telematics is currently in the works, so we will probably find out more details in time.
What do you think about such a development for Kia?
[Source: Wardsauto, Photo]
Post tags: Tags: Kia, smartphone, telematics
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DETROIT – OnStar won the Best Telematics Safety Technology Award from Telematics Update on Tuesday evening, the ninth consecutive year OnStar has received an International Telematics Update Award.
OnStar has accumulated 21 Telematics Update Awards in the program’s nine-year history. The ceremony, which was kicked off by Clear Channel’s Ryan Secreast, recognizes the most prominent and up-and-coming players in the industry in 10 telematics categories.
The Best Telematics Safety Technology award highlights OnStar’s commitment to providing more than 6 million customers with unparalleled safety and security services. Since its inception, OnStar has deployed emergency services more than 1 million times, and receives nearly 2,500 Automatic Crash Response alerts monthly.
“We’re thrilled that the telematics community has again recognized OnStar’s unwavering commitment to providing drivers with a safety service they can rely on,” said Linda Marshall, OnStar President. “Our team makes a constant effort to not only enhance the safety of our customers, but also to help all drivers on the road and assist first responders in emergency situations. We thank the first responder community, who make the life-saving technology of OnStar a reality every day.”
Last year, OnStar, in coordination with the General Motors Foundation, provided a $500,000 grant to the International Center of Automotive Medicine at the University of Michigan Health System for research related to the prediction of injury severity after a crash. Research being lead by Dr. Stewart Wang, director of the University of Michigan Program for Injury Research and Education, uses OnStar crash data, hospital records as well as first responder and police information to help improve the outcome for severe crash victims.
The awards precede the Telematics Detroit Conference, the biggest telematics-focused conference and exhibition of the year. On Thursday, Greg Ross, OnStar vice president business extensions, will give a keynote speech where he will discuss OnStar FMV, the company’s new retail product that can be installed in 90 million vehicles already on the road.
Launching later this summer, OnStar FMV will deliver OnStar’s award-winning services to drivers of non-GM and older GM vehicles on the road. It can be installed on most top-selling vehicles manufactured in the past 10 years, including vehicles from Ford, Toyota and Chrysler. OnStar FM will be available at Best Buy and other consumer electronic retail locations. To check if your vehicle can support OnStar FMV use the vehicle compatibility tool, which is also available at OnStar Facebook page.
About OnStar
OnStar, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Motors, is the leading provider of connected safety and security solutions, value-added mobility services and advanced information technology. Currently available on more than 40 MY 2011 GM models, OnStar soon will be available for installation on most other vehicles already on the road through local electronics retailers, including Best Buy. The OnStar Mobile App is a recipient of the 2011 Edison Award for Best New Product in the Remote Driving Aids segment and OnStar Stolen Vehicle Slowdown is a recipient of the 2010 Edison Award for Best New Product in the Technology segment. OnStar safely connects its more than six million subscribers, in the U.S., Canada and China, in ways never thought possible. More information about OnStar can be found at www.onstar.com.
[Source: OnStar]
Post tags: Tags: award, onstar, telematics
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Toyota And Microsoft Join Forces For Developing Next Generation Telematics
The Japanese automaker Toyota has revealed this week that it has teamed up with Microsoft for developing the next generation of telecommunication and information technology for cars. By using the Windows Azure platform, Toyota and Microsoft will develop a range of systems that we will most likely see as soon as 2012.
However, the ultimate objective of this partnership is to create a cloud platform from which Toyota buyers can use telematics services around the world. For reaching this ambitious goal, the companies are going to invest about $12 million in the joint venture.
Source: Toyota via Autoblog | Photo: nextcars.net
Post tags: Tags: microsoft, telematics, Toyota
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