Shuttle develops XPC-based car information system

Shuttle develops XPC-based car information system

Taiwan-based small-form-factor (SFF) PC specialist Shuttle appeared at the first standalone CarTronics show this weekend at the Taipei World Trade Center (TWTC), introducing its new R&D project, which targets the car-electronics market. Something around US$2 million will be put by the company in developments of car-use information systems based on its well-known XPC concept. Shuttle's contribution to this year's CarTronics is shown by a luxurious Mercedes S-Class sedan equipped with a prototype of the XPC-based car-use information system. Placed between two rear seats, Shuttle's XPC SN21G5 mini PC performs as a key part of the system that functions as a platform for applications, such as GPS-based navigation, voice control and entertainment services. It also enables communications via Skype, MSN and other software, using 3G wireless modem technology; according to the company it will support WiMax in near future.

To be more specific, the system consists of AMD's Athlon 64 3700+ CPU, 1GB of DDR DRAM and a non-standard power supply unit to support 12V DC power supply in vehicles. It features Windows XP Professional operating system (OS), with the SP2 service pack and voice recognition engine installed. However in future, Shuttle's car-use PCs will utilize the upcoming Windows Vista OS. The system includes three LCD monitors, two in front of back-seat passengers and one as a part of driver's dashboard and four webcams. Its audio subsystem consists of two subwoofers, thirteen speakers and four microphones. Input devices are represented by two keyboards, which are mounted into driver and front-passenger visors, and one trackball. Optional units can be added using USB ports of the mini PC. Well sitting inside a car with such a device and other equipments will certainly make you fell a real life James Bond.
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August 22, 2006 - 3:25 PM | Posted in - Others