DENSO develops Blue Harmony for in-vehicle communications and entertainment

DENSO has developed an in-vehicle communication and entertainment system it calls Blue Harmony. Still in development, the system promises to allow drivers to access their electronic devices and services – current and future. It will have USB ports for connecting different types of devices, and use 802.11 WLAN technology to service customers’ portable devices as a Wi-Fi hotspot and to get data from other Wi-Fi networks into the vehicle. DENSO said it is working on a Bluetooth protocol to integrate navigation applications from portable devices into the car.

Blue Harmony will integrate voice recognition, off-board information and services, Internet radio, hands-free calling, messaging, vehicle-to-vehicle communication, and more. Most of the system’s functions and information will be accessible and controllable through voice commands. DENSO said that for example, a driver will be able to ask the system to read the news, directions, or an email. Display settings, menu options and screen functions can be customized, as can the home screen. Drivers can designate a button for speed dial or some other function, and/or display a calendar or personal music stations or other favorites on the home screen. An application center is available for downloading applications.