Posted on Tuesday 6 May 2008
Hyundai will soon be joining the likes of Ford and Fiat by offering a new music and information interface developed jointly with software giant Microsoft. The new system will debut initially in Hyundai models in North America around 2010 and will eventually filter across to global markets with Europe and Asia to follow soon after.
The first product under the partnership will be a voice-activated control system for linking mobile devices such as a cell phone or MP3 player with a vehicle’s stereo. Eventually the new interface will include multimedia and navigation-related features, reports Automotive News. There could even be an emergency call function similar to current features from rival telematic systems such as GM’s OnStar.
Under the deal, Hyundai will be able to use the system in its own branded vehicles as well as Kia models as early as November, however the first systems won’t arrive until the end of the decade as engineers are working on developing more advanced systems. There’s no word on which models will be offered with the feature but it will likely be reserved for more upmarket models such as the upcoming Genesis Coupe.
Microsoft is also free to license the software to other carmakers, which means we’re likely to read about similar announcements from rival brands in the coming year.
Cripes, just make sure whatever Microsoft touches is kept TOTALLY isolated from the rest of the car computers. I don’t want any trojans or viruses picked up by the radio antenna that causes the Brake Assist to slam at highway speeds. Or lock you in the car, refuse to deactivate the engine and blast the heater on at 2 pm on a blistering summer day.