Adoption of Bluetooth has been steadily increasing since its OEM automotive debut in the 2003 Saab 9-3. Although Bluetooth will continue its momentum in new 2004 models from Acura, Audi, Lexus, Lincoln, Maybach, and Toyota, to name a few, its role will be limited, according to the findings of a new research study from ABI.

Protocols based on 802.11, such as DSRC (Dedicated Short Range Communications), promise to fill the need for longer range, higher bandwidth applications that will not only link vehicles with roadside data access points, but between each other. Ratification of the new DSRC protocol is expected by the end of 2004, with aftermarket automotive offerings quickly following suit. Aftermarket 802.11-based automotive products will appear by the end of this year, initially focused on entertainment applications.

“While Bluetooth serves as an ideal automotive PAN (personal area network) protocol, it is not meant to be a 'do-it-all' technology,” states Frank Viquez, ABI Director of Automotive Electronics and report author. “There are a myriad of other wireless technologies currently under evaluation for inter and intra-vehicle safety, telematics, commerce, information, and entertainment-type applications. These partially include Ultra Wideband, RFID (radio frequency identification), DSRC, 802.11, 802.16 (WiMAX), and satellite.”

Despite the multitude of wireless technologies currently under scrutiny for their automotive potential, ABI's study sees Bluetooth and 802.11 as the early favorites. According to the study, the global installed base of vehicles with factory-fitted Bluetooth or 802.11-based hardware will reach 25 million vehicles in 2008.

The new ABI study, “Automotive Wireless Networks: Opportunities for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, RFID, Satellite and Other Emerging Wireless Technologies,” provides insight into current and future automotive applications, from telephony and telematics applications, to safety and cashless payment systems. The study outlays the automotive market potential for wireless local and personal area networks (WLAN and PAN), and adjunct devices such as PDAs, handsets, and headsets. The study also provides a comprehensive player profiles section, and concludes with a detailed list of international market participants.

ABI is a N.Y.-based technology market research firm founded in 1990. ABI publishes market research and technology intelligence on the wireless, automotive, electronics, networking and energy industries. Details can be found on the web at abiresearch.com or by calling 516-624-3113.

Copyright © 2003, Allied Business Intelligence Inc. (ABI). All rights reserved. Reproduced by LinuxDevices.com with permission.

 
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