Future Mercedes-Benz drivers and passengers to access Cyberspace from their seats PALO ALTO, CA (BUSINESS WIRE) - Daimler-Benz Research and Technology Center (RTC) has marked its first 18 months in operation by demonstrating technology, for the first time, to link cars to the Internet. "This demonstration offers a glimpse of the directions we are pursuing and services we will offer," said Paul Mehring, RTC director and president of Daimler-Benz Research and Technology North America. "Orchestrating advanced technologies into a system that enables a car to function as a node on the Internet opens up a completely new dimension of options and services that will be delivered to the car and back to the information infrastructure. Needless to say, while such systems are likely to be five to ten years away from market reality, we are delighted to be first to demonstrate these concepts." The Internet Multimedia on Wheels concept car demonstrated today integrates the Internet, multimedia, wireless connectivity and other advanced technologies like speech recognition to demonstrate some of the possibilities for bringing the computing and communications revolution into a mobile environment while, at the same time, optimizing driver and passenger safety. "This concept demonstration shows the exciting potential of this technology," said Dataquest industry analyst, Xavier Pucel. "Since the design cycle for automobiles is at least three or four years long, it's very important that this technology is being premiered in its earliest stage so that it can be included in future plans." Inside the "Cyber Mercedes" In the front seat, the driver and front passenger share a multi-media computer screen for Internet-based services in the center of the dashboard, which in the future could include traffic conditions and dynamic navigation services. The back seat is more visual and interactive. With their multi-media screens, which are embedded in the backs of the front head restraints, passengers can use various interactive devices like handheld controls and wireless keyboards to access interactive games and the Internet as well as navigational services, infotainment, and office applications. Built-in infrared transceivers will allow passengers to integrate their handheld personal computers (HPCs) intothe car's embedded system. In addition, the center armrest in front has a slot for a personal device like an electronic organizer or a smart card (similarto a phone card) to enable the driver to bring in personal information and preferences such as electronic calendars and bookmarks for Internet services. From the car, this information can be updated and synchronized with the home or office over the Internet. "The engineering wizards at Daimler-Benz have done it again, but this time the innovation is not in the automotive technology, it is in the information technology," said Randy H. Katz, UMC Distinguished Professor and Department Chair, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Department, University of California, Berkeley. "It is much more than GPS position location, or tracking stolen cars. We are talking about always staying connected and getting work done, even while you are stuck on California's freeways! "This is the start of a revolution in connectivity to the true business mobile platform: the automobile. It is the kind of engineering breakthrough we expect from a company like Daimler-Benz: the first fully Internet-capable automobile." Emerging Markets Access to Internet services from a car will create a new market for products and services. Examples include: intelligent roadside assistance, in which the car can be located and diagnosed remotely and personal intelligent travel software that programs a route, taking into account the latest updates on traffic conditions and road work. Additionally, personalization and "push" technologies that enable users to receive only the type of information they wish (customized Pointcast-style headlines, regional weather reports, stock quotes, etc.) will provide drivers and passengers with a customized mobile information environment they might access with voice commands. The Daimler-Benz RTC expects to preview the first of these services later this year.