10/09/2007

Microsoft and Siemens VDO Automotive have teamed up to develop a range of in-car products for navigation, entertainment and communication purposes.

These 'infotainment' solutions will include products capable of connecting with existing units and will be built using the Microsoft Auto platform.

The first release from the range will be a solution to facilitate the closer integration of consumer electronics devices into in-car systems, which could be on the market in 2009, the firms said.

'Thanks to this cooperative project with Microsoft, we will be able to incorporate the rapidly changing trends in consumer electronics into the world of automotive electronics in an ideal way,' commented Helmut Matschi, board member at Siemens VDO.

Siemens VDO worked on a project examining the use of in-car accident data recorders with entities such as Sussex Police, Ford Europe, the Home Office, Winterthur Insurance and DaimlerChrysler last year.