From Automobile magazine - "Microsoft chairman Bill Gates probably doesn't get behind the
wheel of a Hyundai or Kia too often, but that won't stop him or his company from driving multimedia vehicle entertainment forward. Microsoft Corp. and Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group announced today a new long-term agreement to co-develop the next generation of in-car infotainment systems. Together, the companies will deliver future technology products for Hyundai and Kia vehicles based on the Microsoft Auto software platform (which is already being applied in North American Ford vehicles).The first product to come from the Microsoft and Hyundai-Kia alliance will be a next-generation infotainment system - set to arrive in 2010 - that provides voice-controlled connectivity between mobile devices. The voice-controlled connectivity will further expand into multimedia and navigation devices, allowing drivers to enjoy music in various digital formats.The two companies say the next-generation infotainment systems should be comparable to mini-PCs, as new functions will be added or upgraded in the form of software program updates.Hyundai-Kia's adoption of the Microsoft Auto software platform is particularly notable because it increases Microsoft's presence in the increasingly competitive Asian car market."
Microsoft has teamed up to bring what they call a “music and information system” to Hyundai and KIA cars sold in North America by 2010, now this sort of technology has been exclusive to Ford in the past with their Sync gadget, although it’s not being called Sync (it sure sounds similar). Microsoft and Hyundai Motor Group have setup the Automotive IT Innovation Center, with Hyundai Motor Group adding $166 million and Microsoft investing $113 million to this project. Bill Gates has personally met the South Korean President to talk about the level of involvement from companies in his country. We also hear that Gates will be signing the agreement with Hyundai in Seoul. While the first product to be released in this partnership is a “voice-controlled system linking mobile devices to car stereo systems”, we also hear that in the near future, other products will be released that has multimedia and navigation features. The first product will also feature remote firmware updates and this makes things so much easier, and less costly for manufactures. The real question here, is why Hyundai needs Microsoft for getting music into cars when iPods and iPhones can be added very easily - or are we missing something?
Martin Thall, head of general manager of Microsoft's Automotive Business Unit, emphasized that the current announcement only covers the strategic partnership, and doesn't detail which models might carry the new system, or even how Hyundai Kia will brand it.
Thall stated that Microsoft is interested in developing a strong speech experience with its automotive platform, and looks to a future where the platform becomes the head unit in vehicles. He also suggested that automakers are looking for low-cost navigation, and said one solution might be using dashboard left/right indicator lights for route guidance, rather than an expensive LCD.
Another part of the Microsoft/Hyundai Kia agreement includes an automotive innovation center in Korea that includes the Korean government as a partner. This center would work on Korean government initiatives concerning the environment and safety, and give Korean technology companies a leg up into the automotive market.
This article was originally a blog post on CNET News.com.
