Alcatel-Lucent launches LTE Connected Car from QNX platform

Alcatel-Lucent, through a consortium called the ng Connect Program, launched the LTE Connected Car concept to demonstrate in-vehicle broadband connectivity based on 4G/Long Term Evolution (LTE) mobile access technology. It said the LTE Connected Car, which is based on an operating system from QNX Software, enables a variety of mobile applications and services not possible with current wireless technologies. Alcatel-Lucent said it is fostering the creation of new applications integrated with the end-to-end network; pre-integrating and testing an “open ecosystem” of applications and devices.

The firm described its concept vehicle as “a virtual smartphone on wheels.” It said it combined an LTE broadband radio link, which brings cloud-based multimedia services into the car, with an in-vehicle WiFi environment that supports integration with traditional home-based services.  Alcatel-Lucent also helped manage the integration of the car’s wireless networks with the QNX operating system, and it managed the end-to-end integration of multimedia services available in the vehicle, including mobile, multiplayer video gaming, and video on demand.

“Combined, these capabilities enable this networked concept vehicle to offer a wide range of navigation, personal security, vehicle wellness, and infotainment services to drivers and passengers,” said Derek Kuhn, Alcatel-Lucent vice president for emerging technology and media.

The LTE Connected Car offers independently operated touchscreens and software that provide access to multiple applications and forms of content. The prototype system supports the creation of interactive connected experiences that can be tailored to the individual preferences and requirements of drivers and passengers.

Kuhn said the LTE Connected Car concept illustrates that mobile devices are potentially no longer just phones or music players. “The concept vehicle becomes a mobile platform where information can be easily accessed and transmitted through the use of high bandwidth connectivity and cloud-based applications. It highlights the exciting new ways that mobile service providers can expand the range of connected experiences available to their subscribers. As we move into the 4G era, where very high-bandwidth, IP-based wireless connections will be widely available, service providers and their customers will be looking for interesting and creative ways to take advantage of the new capabilities these networks offer.”

Firms collaborating on the LTE Connected Car, in addition to Alcatel-Lucent and QNX Software Systems, are  Atlantic Records, Toyota Motor Sales USA, Inc., chumby, and Kabillion. Applications and content include:

• Video on demand – an endless catalog of video content, including movies, recorded TV programs and user-generated content. New content can be rented or purchased in-car for media playback there or paused and finished at home.
• Gaming – multi-player games played within the vehicle, in other cars or with players anywhere in the world.
• Audio Library –an endless music catalog is accessible from the cloud.
• Home control – direct connection from the concept car to home automation and security systems to manage climate control systems, lighting, etc.  or monitor home or business IP security cameras with streaming video feeds.
• Enhanced communications services – calls and messaging services with a hands-free experience and access to social networks available to anyone in the car.
• eCommerce – Web browsing and access to one of the concept’s many applications to buy right from the car.
• Wi-Fi hotspot –in-car Wi-Fi network for full utilization of all Wi-Fi enabled in-car devices and connectivity to the cloud via LTE.
• Advanced Navigation – the convenience of immediate, real-time GPS updates with point-of-interest overlay and integrated location-based services.
• Enhanced safety, convenience and security – always-on LTE connectivity for real-time traffic, weather and road condition alerts to help improve driver safety in addition to the convenience of proactive vehicle health monitoring including maintenance scheduling, security monitoring and theft protection.
• Road and vehicle monitoring – The concept vehicle becomes the sensor; a single platform for the collection and interactivity of vehicle status, location and road conditions that can be shared with other drivers.

The QNX CAR application platform provides the software foundation of ng Connect’s LTE Connected Car concept vehicle. The platform provides all of the car’s system software and infotainment applications, including the real time operating system, touchscreen user interfaces, streaming media players for YouTube and Pandora, navigation system with Google local search, Bluetooth and portable device connectivity, multimedia playback, handsfree integration, climate controls, Adobe Flash games, application store technology, and a virtual mechanic.

“In developing the QNX CAR application platform, our goal was to dramatically reduce the time and effort required to bring connected and media-rich automotive infotainment systems to market,” said Dan Dodge, CEO of QNX Software Systems. “QNX CAR allowed us to take product and applications from multiple ng Connect partners and quickly integrate them into a seamless, personalizable, next-generation user experience.”

An interactive demonstration of the LTE Connected car is available at http://www.ngconnect.org/lteconnectedcar. Additional information on Alcatel-Lucent’s end-to-end LTE solution is available at http://www.alcatel-lucent.com/lte.