OpenCar Inc., a Seattle-based automotive infotainment & telematics toolmaker, announced completion of all core capabilities for its standards-based OpenCar Connect framework. With more than three years in development, the framework now includes all core functionality required by automakers to build, test and deploy robust infotainment and telematics applications and Human Machine Interaction (HMI) features. In the Mazda/OpenCar hospitality suite at the 2015 International CES, OpenCar is showcasing its optimized workflow for automotive infotainment feature development, as well as its expanding telematics and infotainment application portfolio running on the Mazda Connect infotainment system.
OpenCar is demonstrating a number of new infotainment applications from partners including Stitcher, Parkopedia, WCities, Glympse and others. OpenCar is also showing how users of its SDK are able to utilize vehicle data without specialized knowledge of each vehicle’s CAN bus, ECUs, or automotive software stack. And to drive the next wave of innovation, OpenCar is demonstrating IoT device connectivity enabling in-car and remote cameras, smart watches, external sensors, home automation and monitoring infrastructure to be easily incorporated into infotainment software developments.
“Mazda is focused on bringing innovative, car-centric applications into its vehicles to enhance the driving experience,” said Hiroshi Kajiyama, program manager of Mazda Connect System* for Mazda Motor Corporation. “We are excited that our continued partnership with OpenCar will enable both our internal teams and third parties to easily and quickly create compelling and safe applications. The OpenCar Connect framework supports the creation, management and distribution of any software-defined application including digital dash, car functions such as HVAC, infotainment, telematics and connected devices, all in the Mazda-defined HMI.”
“New connected car buyers expect built-in applications and features to be as dynamic as they experience on their smartphones,” said Jeff Payne, OpenCar’s CEO. “What has been missing is the software framework to connect the vehicle’s host-layer systems and sensors to the power and ingenuity present in the mobile ecosystem. Unlike the smartphone, we see the connected car as an entirely new device category, with highly-specialized capabilities and operational requirements; OpenCar’s standards-based application framework enables automakers and their tier 1 partners to easily build, test and maintain powerful car-centric applications, and differentiated, branded user experiences.”
OpenCar tools and services streamline the creation, distribution and management of automotive-grade applications that work seamlessly across car makes and models. OpenCar’s unique framework separates application business logic, HMI and integration middleware, enabling the company’s software to be used to develop, validate and distribute new in-car applications within days or weeks, radically accelerating time to market for new software innovations. Further, HMI is easy to manage and modify, enabling automakers to easily create and update safe, branded user experiences.
Press or analysts interested in viewing a live demo of the OpenCar Connect framework inside the Mazda/OpenCar hospitality suite at CES should contact Beth Levine at bl@opencar.com. Software developers interested in learning more about using the OpenCar Software Development Kit should see http://sdk.opencar.com.
* The name Mazda Connect is used in Japan, USA, Canada and Mexico. In other markets, the system is referred to as “MZD Connect.”
About OpenCar
Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Seattle, OpenCar is building the industry’s first customizable, standards-based platform to safely and securely connect drivers to their digital worlds. With deep experience in core Web technologies and platform architecture design, OpenCar is partnering with automotive manufacturers, tier 1 suppliers and app developers to define a new set of standards that will transform the in-car experience for drivers. The framework supports a broad range of functional categories including telematics, devices, health, safety, convenience, digital cluster and next-generation infotainment. OpenCar is a member of the GENIVI consortium. For more information about OpenCar, visit www.opencar.com.
