Delphi Teams With Saab to Exhibit Mobile Media Featuring Microsoft Windows CE-Based Auto PC

TROY, Mich. -- Delphi Automotive Systems and Saab introduced the Personal Productivity Vehicle today at the SAE International Congress and Exposition in Detroit. The vehicle, a unique version of the 1999 Saab 9-5, features the most advanced mobile office technology -- including communication, entertainment and computer desktop functions.

"With the Personal Productivity Vehicle, we are sending a strong message that we intend to play a leading role in the emerging mobile media market as a leader in vehicle systems integration," said Michael J. Burns, vice president and general manager of Delphi Delco Electronics Systems. "We believe that the features and functions of mobile media will make traveling the roads easier, as well as add substantial value, productivity, convenience and entertainment for consumers."

"We're pleased to have broad industry support from companies like Delphi and Saab," said Harel Kodesh, general manager, consumer appliance group, at Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT). "As an industry leader in vehicle electronics systems, Delphi's implementation of the Auto PC platform demonstrates their commitment to the emerging mobile media market. The Personal Productivity Vehicle will deliver information and entertainment to mobile professionals making the most of their driving experience."

The Saab 9-5 platform was chosen for the demonstration because of its advanced automotive heritage, customer base and aviation-inspired technology. A high percentage of Saab's owners are online -- nearly 30 percent, according to Prospects magazine, a Saab customer publication.

"One of the key brand attributes at Saab is putting the driver in optimum control -- a legacy of our aircraft heritage," said Stig-Goran Larsson, director of research and development, Saab Automobile AB. "The Personal Productivity Vehicle is the logical next step in developing this philosophy and is a natural for Saab customers who are sophisticated users of today's information technology."

Developed at Delphi Delco Electronics System's Mecel AB subsidiary in Goteburg, Sweden, the Personal Productivity Vehicle utilizes the Microsoft Windows CE-based Auto PC platform, with integrated AM/FM receivers, CD-ROM, IrDA, serial port interface, universal serial bus, COMPACTFLASH expansion slot, and high resolution 256X64 display. As the latest addition to Microsoft's line of PC Companions powered by Windows CE 2.0, the Auto PC delivers the benefits of interactive speech technology, connectivity, information on demand, and enhanced entertainment to the vehicle.

The Personal Productivity Vehicle features steering wheel controls, interactive speech technology to respond to driver commands, and speech synthesis to communicate text information that allows drivers to keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.

Through speech recognition, the driver can send e-mail, obtain turn-by- turn Global Positioning Satellite (GPS)-based navigation to a specific destination, ask for traffic and weather conditions, locate a restaurant or hotel, or change the musical selection on the stereo.

The concept vehicle also offers wireless features where a cellular modem connection can be used for vehicle-to-roadside assistance or to receive e-mail and Internet information. Also, an infrared data link connects to Windows CE- based devices such as Handheld PCs and Palm PCs or other personal hand-held Data Assistant, for transferring data to and from the vehicle.

The Auto PC platform is open, expandable and can be upgraded with new applications that are seamlessly integrated into the vehicle. Vehicle application configurations can be easily changed for different market needs and programs can be loaded from a CD-ROM. Technologies such as a wireless modem, built-in cellular phone and navigation systems can be integrated into the platform.

High-bandwidth connectivity is achieved in the vehicle with an ultra-high- speed fiber-optic serial data link called Mobile Media Link (MML), which is capable of providing multiple-channel digital audio and video. MML also can connect and control inputs and outputs to connect a variety of consumer electronic products such as head-up display, television antenna and tuner, DVD player, compact disc player, digital stereo audio, and digital speaker amplifiers.

Data are transmitted and distributed from the network nodes via plastic optical fiber physical layer, passive star, and optoelectronic devices developed by Delphi Packard Electric Systems. Delphi Delco Electronics Systems provides the hardware, standard link protocol and integrated circuit design. The MML fiber optic bus is capable of signal transmissions rates of up to 110 megabits per second and can support up to 50 channels of audio and 20 channels of TV-quality compressed video.

"Because the fiber optic cable is immune to electromagnetic interference (EMI) and generates no emissions, MML provides vehicle occupants crystal-clear audio and video without negatively affecting other vehicle systems increasing functional reliability," said Jim Crouse, director of engineering at Delphi Packard Electric Systems.

Compared with other systems, MML also can provide higher performance. While other fiber-optic systems currently feature only audio capability, MML offers both audio and video capabilities.

Delphi Automotive Systems with headquarters in Troy, Mich., USA, is the world's most diversified supplier of automotive components and systems. With the recent integration of Delphi Delco Electronics Systems, Delphi operates 208 manufacturing facilities, 46 ventures and 27 technical centers in 36 countries. Regional headquarters are located in Paris, Tokyo and Sao Paulo.

OPERATION MOBILE MEDIA

Utilizes ultra-high-speed fiber-optic serial data link. The link is capable of multiple-channel digital audio and video. Expandable to connect a variety of consumer media products and displays.

Has fault tolerant passive star fiber optic bus architecture. Superior EMI/RFI performance.

Auto PC -- Powered by Microsoft(R) Windows(R) CE

• Brings the power of PCs to vehicles.
• Uses standard Microsoft Windows CE 2.0 operating system.
• Interactive speech technology with integrated voice recognition, speech synthesis, turn-by-turn navigation.
• Standard Win 32 API's allow for third-party vendors to develop applications.
• Hardware platform includes AM/FM receivers, universal serial port, COMPACTFLASH slot, and high resolution 256x64 display.

Driver in Command -- Eyes on the Road

• Steering wheel controls for key functions.
• Enhanced voice recognition used to control feature functions.
• Speech synthesis converts text to speech.

Wireless Connectivity

• Cellular modem connection for vehicle to roadside assistance, e-mail and Internet information.
• Infrared data link to connect Personal Data Assistant or other Windows CE-based devices such as Handheld PCs and Palm PCs for transferring data to and from the vehicle.
• GPS receiver interface for navigation.

Expandability and Flexibility

• Microsoft Windows CE 2.0 open operating system's open architecture allows developers to create new applications that are seamlessly integrated in the vehicle.
• Vehicle application configurations can be easily changed for different market needs.
• Programs can be loaded from the CD-ROM.
• MML ultra-high-speed bus allows for the addition of displays and media hardware.

Vehicle System Integration

• Demonstration hardware integrated into the existing vehicle electrical/electronic BUS architecture.
• MML ultra-high-speed serial data bus allows for future system feature function integration
• Fiber optic link reduces wire counts and vehicle mass.

BENEFITS

• Drivers can access office desktop information, navigation and enhanced entertainment from the vehicle.
• Open operating system that can be expanded and upgraded.
• Drivers can be more productive in vehicles.

Delphi can be found on the Internet at http://www.delphiauto.com.