REDMOND, Wash. — April 16, 2012 — Windows Embedded Automotive has spent more than 15 years enabling vehicle-based infotainment systems that let drivers control their car stereos, mobile phones and other devices with voice commands. Consumers have since come to expect that they can access and share information — even while they’re driving. They have traded the legacy driving aids of the AM radio and road atlas for entertainment, navigation and communication services.
The in-car infotainment systems are now one of the top selling points and are helping the automotive industry create what it calls the “connected car.” Depending on the system they’ve selected, drivers can listen to text messages, connect to social media, receive driving directions and more, all without taking their eyes off the road or their hands off the wheel. The connected car is one more example of what Windows Embedded calls intelligent systems.
One company using Windows Embedded Automotive to target these tech-savvy drivers is Korean auto manufacturer Kia Motors. Kia’s voice-activated infotainment system — UVO, powered by Microsoft — provides a breakthrough user experience with simple and quick access to the car’s multimedia platform. This personalized approach has helped increase U.S. sales by 35 percent, making Kia one of the fastest-growing car brands in the country. Kia is now working on UVO eServices, which was announced at CES 2012.
Ford Motor Company
also used Windows Embedded Automotive to power the award-winning Ford SYNC, SYNC with MyFord Touch and SYNC AppLink. More than 4 million vehicles equipped with Ford SYNC have been sold since its release in 2007, and Ford announced earlier this year the launch of Ford SYNC in Europe as part of its global rollout.
Read on to learn more about how these and other automotive companies are using Windows Embedded technology to evolve the way drivers stay connected on the road.
