HARMAN, a leading global audio and infotainment group, and Sierra Wireless, a specialist in high-speed mobile computing and wireless M2M communication, have jointly committed to bringing automotive customers the first 4G broadband connectivity.
HARMAN will support Sierra Wireless AirPrimeTM intelligent embedded modules for LTE networks with the aim of offering robust in-vehicle wireless connectivity to enable high bandwidth telematics, navigation, and online infotainment applications. The AirPrime modules also leverage broadly adopted applications programming interfaces (APIs) to encourage a growing ecosystem of software providers’ solutions for connectivity, location, and manageability.
This will give users wireless data access at download speeds of up to 100 megabits per second (Mbps) and upload speeds up to 50 Mbps on LTE networks, making it possible to provide a true multi-faceted media, office and online experience within the vehicle.
Applications will range from driver enhancements such as real-time mapping and traffic updates, to online passengers services such as dynamic loaded applications and content, gaming, streaming video, and full internet access shared among multiple devices.
According to automotive researchers Strategy Analytics, 70% of vehicles produced globally in 2009 had some form of connectivity system and the number is expected to increase to 95% by 2012.