Leading automotive cockpit electronics supplier Visteon has teamed up with Mediamobile, the primary European broadcast traffic information service provider and editor of V-Traffic mobility solutions, to offer what it says is an “industry-first solution” that enables cars equipped with Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) radios to receive traffic updates through both digital radio and Internet services, simultaneously.
The DAB radio, provided by Visteon, picks up Mediamobile’s V-Traffic data broadcasts in a standardized DAB-TPEG format and transfers the content via a Bluetooth connection to the driver’s smartphone or tablet for decoding. The traffic information is displayed on the smartphone screen, via an application that switches seamlessly between DAB and the Internet, to ensure the best service delivery at all times.
According to Visteon, users will benefit from reduced mobile data communication costs and avoid roaming fees when traveling abroad. Moreover, they will receive traffic and safety information even when their mobile phone network is saturated or out of range.
For automakers, the hybrid solution delivers a fast and cost-efficient way of bringing new data services to the market, such as traffic and weather, alongside traditional radio programs. It adapts seamlessly with entry-level as well as high-end DAB radio and smart devices, the two companies say.
