CES 2012: CSR unveils VNC Automotive technology at Consumer Electronics Show

Collaborating with RealVNC, CSR is including the latter company's VNC Automotive technology to enable automatic detection, access and control of virtually any mobile device from a vehicle's touch screen – or fixed input devices, such as steering wheel switches and head unit buttons/menus. CSR says it is also using CES to introduce an additional innovation; using Wi-Fi to connect the mobile phone and vehicle – a first for the automotive market. This also enables connections to be established via USB, Bluetooth and 2G/3G/4G/LTE. In practice, Wi-Fi connectivity allows a mobile device to be detected and a connection established as the driver approaches the vehicle, displaying mobile content in-vehicle before the driver even fastens their seatbelt. CSR says by integrating VNC Automotive onto its SiRFprimaII location aware multimedia SoC device, it can achieve crisp replication of the mobile screen on the head unit with no lag or loss of quality. The use of Wi-Fi to transmit the mobile content to the in vehicle system adds another transport option. "Adding RealVNC support to the Prima-II platform really enhances our platform product offering for our aftermarket and OEM customers building entry level navigation systems," said Thomas Carmody, head of Connectivity Marketing with the Automotive Business Group at CSR. "Smartphone adoption is ever rising and consumers expect to use their smartphones even in the vehicle, taking advantage of the music, navigation, hands free calling and other built in smartphone features as well as 3rd party apps like internet radio and traffic while driving. Deploying RealVNC's, VNC Automotive enables CSR, with our Prima-II platform, to leverage these smartphone features and apps in the vehicle in a safe and convenient manner. Safe use of these technologies while driving is essential; with VNC Automotive the smartphone functions available while driving can be tailored by the system designers to ensure drivers keep their eyes and focus on the road." Tom Blackie, vice president Mobile of RealVNC, added: "Our work with the automotive industry is resulting in widespread adoption of VNC Automotive as a connectivity standard and we are delighted to announce another hardware partner in CSR. There is no doubt that drivers want access to the content and applications on their mobile devices in vehicle, and CSR is in a great position to deliver this capability to its OEM customers."