.
 




Zandiant Telematics Software on Display at Citroën Frankfurt Motor Show Exhibit

Lake Forest, CA - (September 10, 2001)

As the Frankfurt Motor Show, Europe's premier showcase for new automotive technology, gets underway this weekend, Zandiant Technologies software will be featured as part of an exciting demonstration between Citroën and its Mobile Services partner, PTV. The Citroën AutoPC, introduced earlier this year, will connect with the PTV-operated Mobile Services portal, opening the way for a variety of new services to come into the vehicle.

Zandiant's ability to accommodate new functions on to existing products demonstrates the open platform advantage of the Windows® CE for Automotive operating system, upon which the Citroën AutoPC is built. Citroën is now marketing its second generation of the AutoPC on C5 and Xsara models in selected European markets. Zandiant has led the hardware and software engineering efforts on each Citroën AutoPC product release.

Visitors to the Citroën exhibit in Frankfurt will be able to witness several exciting technologies as part of the AutoPC demonstration. Highlights of the system include:

  • An embedded GSM cellular phone offering voice calling and SMS messaging
  • Zandiant telematics software, which utilizes cellular and GPS technology to enable drivers to quickly get assistance during emergency situations and breakdowns
  • On-board navigation, incorporating turn-by-turn route guidance via audible prompts and easy-to-read color graphics
  • Voice recognition technology, allowing drivers to place hands-free phone calls and to operate radio, CD player and navigation functions without taking their attention from the road

In addition to the above features now available, the new Citroën Mobile Services portal will utilize the AutoPC to demonstrate future services. One service is an off-board Points of Interest Directory, which can be linked to the Citroën AutoPC. By combining voice and data communication, AutoPC users will be able to place a simple call to Citroën Mobile Services and receive information from the remote server. At the Frankfurt Motor Show, visitors can make a request for hotel information. The hotel information will be sent to the AutoPC as an SMS message and stored in its Address Book. The system will then launch into the Navigation program and provide turn-by-turn route guidance to the desired location.

"Linking devices like the Citroën AutoPC to a telematics service provider is the next key milestone for the world's major automakers," said Albert Wong, President and CEO of Zandiant Technologies. "Zandiant is excited to be at the forefront of integrating off-board services with on-board vehicle systems."

Zandiant Technologies provides Telematics software and hardware development services to automotive customers, including OEMs and system integrators. Formerly a wholly-owned subsidiary of Clarion Co., Ltd., Zandiant plays an instrumental role in the development of In-Vehicle Computing Systems, including the Citroën AutoPC and the forthcoming Clarion Joyride DVD Multimedia & Navigation System. Zandiant clients include Nissan, Volkswagen and numerous tier one automotive suppliers. For more information, write to: info@zandiant.com.