Press Release
More Security and Comfort for PDA Applications
PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants) are becoming increasingly important as tools for navigation and infotainment. Car drivers are not immune to their charms, either. But trying to operate the mini computers while driving can be distracting and quickly lead to dangerous situations.
However, help is on the way from the development partner EDAG, a globally active company, in form of a partial or complete integration of the PDAs into the infrastructure of the vehicle’s interior. The idea is to use function keys on the steering wheel to operate the computer, offering the same ergonomical advantages relevant for safety as with a permanently installed infotainment system.
The first prototype of such a PDA integration was integrated in the concept car ‘EDAG Biwak’ exhibited at the Geneva Motor Show. The ‘EDAG Biwak’ is equipped with a socket console with built-in power supply for the PDA. A remote control with four function keys was added to the steering wheel; another variation is to have a clip-on control. The connection between the computer and steering wheel is wireless, using Bluetooth technology.
Software developed especially for this application adapts the graphic user interface on the PDA to the display appearance usual in vehicle construction. This allows the driver to select special menus, intuitively and without taking his/her hands from the steering wheel, and activate music playback, telephone function or the navigation software.
The integration of the PDA into the vehicle also enables optimization of the audio playback. The upgrade system can be set up to transfer the signals to the vehicle loudspeakers via the Bluetooth hands-free equipment.
In another innovation project at EDAG, which is concerned with a direct integration for the automotive original equipment, the information output of the PDA is sent via a gateway and infotainment bus system to the combination instrument of the vehicle.
Torsten Rohde, technical team leader for electronics development in the department Electric/Electronics at the development partner for vehicles and production equip-ment, lists the development of the remote control, the software development and – for original equipment applications – the integration into the infrastructure of the ve-hicle as the core competencies of EDAG related to PDA integration into the automobile.
The company intends to enlist a PDA provider as cooperation partner for the further commercialization of the systems.
