TOKYO: A unit of Microsoft Corp and five Japanese companies said on Tuesday
that they agreed to develop software for automobile computers, greatly enhancing
the functions of car navigation systems.
The new software will be based on Windows CE for Automotive, an operating
system designed to make possible new in-car computers capable of hands-free
communication, access to the Internet and the ability to summon emergency
services and roadside assistance.
The five companies are Japan's biggest car component maker Denso Corp.,
Toyota-affiliated car parts maker Aisin AW Co. Ltd., a leading Japanese car
audio equipment maker Clarion Co. Ltd., Nissan-affiliated car navigation system
maker Xanavi Informatics Corp., and Japan's second-biggest trading house Mitsui
& Co. Ltd.
"Denso agreed with Microsoft in March on Windows CE. Today's
announcement increases the number of participants in the development, enabling
car navigation system makers to cut costs involved in producing powerful
navigation systems," a Denso spokesman said.
Navigation systems using the new software will go on sale in Japan in 2001 or
2002, they said.
Aisin AW is owned 50 per cent by Toyota Motor Corp., producing automatic
transmissions and navigation systems. Xanavi Informatics is owned 51 per cent by
Hitachi and 49 per cent by Nissan Motor Co. Denso is owned 24.9 per cent by
Toyota.
Hitachi, NEC Corp., Matsushita Electric Industrial Co Ltd., Sigma Designs
Inc. and other 18 firms mostly Japanese would take part in the project to
develop standardized communication devices for cars.
(C) Reuters Limited 2000.