Intel Corporation displayed its new Intel XScale technology based processors Mar. 4 for the telematics market segment. The new family of extended temperature microprocessors, called the Intel PXA250 and Intel PXA210 applications processors, is specifically designed to bring solutions to products that deliver wireless voice and data information to vehicles.

The new Intel processors come at a time when telematics terminals are increasingly being included as a feature in new cars. According to industry analyst firm Forrester Research, roughly 80 percent of all new vehicles will have built in telematics capable terminals by 2006.

"Consumers today have experienced the benefit of initial telematics products and services such as emergency roadside assistance and basic navigation systems, but it's only the beginning," said Patrick Kerrigan, marketing director of Intel's Telematics Operation. "The new Intel processors, based on Intel XScale technology, will help deliver the increased computing performance and the scaleability needed to enable a full-range of products from integrated hands-free cellular phone kits to high-end multimedia 'infotainment' systems."

The new processors are key components of the Intel Personal Internet Client Architecture (Intel PCA), Intel's development blueprint for designing wireless handheld communication devices that combine voice communications and Internet access capabilities. Products using the Intel PXA250 and Intel PXA210 applications processors include BlueConnect, a hands-free cellular phone system from Johnson Controls, Inc. According to Intel, through a hands-free module that has been integrated into the vehicle, drivers can conduct a wide-range of voice-activated activities with their Bluetooth-enabled cellphone.

Another application using the new processors is Yazaki's Multimedia Vehicle Platform. This platform enables multimedia content such as DVD video and MP3 audio to be independently accessed by passengers via the Media Oriented System Transport (MOST) network. In addition, consumers can connect portable devices, including cell phones and PDA's to Yazaki's vehicle network.

Telematics Development Support

According to Intel, they have actively engaged with industry leaders to provide development systems and reference designs to help enable developers to build multimedia and wireless products. The fully featured telematics reference design supports speech recognition software, Java, and many real-time operating systems. Intel telematics reference designs based on the new processors will be available from Arcom Controls and Intrinsyc Software, Inc. Companies supporting the development environment for the Intel PXA250 and Intel PXA210 applications processors in telematics include Clarity, Fonix Corporation, IBM, Microsoft Corporation, MontaVista Software Inc., QNX Software Systems Inc., SpeechWorks International, Inc., Temic Sprachverarbeitung GmbH, Wavemakers and Wind River Systems, Inc.

Intel also provides support to the development community through its Intel Telematics Design Center. The online center offers wireless companies development, technical and marketing support -- including access to more than 300 tools -- for designing telematics devices and applications supporting Intel PCA.

About Intel

Intel is a leading manufacturer of computer, networking and communications products. Additional information about Intel is available at www.intel.com.

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