Eleven companies across several industries launched The Car Connectivity Consortium yesterday, aiming to drive global innovation for in-vehicle connectivity, including the ‘Terminal Mode’ standard.
Terminal Mode is built upon a set of established standards, such as Bluetooth, internet protocol and Universal Serial Bus. With the standard, the connection of high-performing mobile devices to vehicle-based systems opens new opportunities for business and innovative applications for consumers.
Mobile devices could be tightly connected with in-car systems, such as digital displays, steering wheel buttons, rotary knobs and car audio systems.
Consumers could use a mobile device via the car controls, as if the device and its apps were integrated into the car itself.
The Car Connectivity Consortium will focus on further developing the Terminal Mode standard, address certification and branding, and start looking at opportunities for the automotive environment, including NFC and wireless charging.
The consortium will release its first specification version within the next few months. Several consortium members are expected to present their first commercial products, that support the new standard, later this year.
The consortium is an open alliance focusing on cross-industry contribution. Founding members include vehicle manufacturers Daimler, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai Motor Company, Toyota, and Volkswagen; system suppliers Alpine and Panasonic; and consumer electronics makers LG Electronics, Nokia and Samsung.
