Garmin to Debut New Scalable Infotainment Platform

Garmin will be introducing its scalable infotainment platform for Automotive Original Equipment Manufacturers at the 2018 Consumer Electronics Show.

The platform uses the Intel Atom quad core x7 or Intel Atom dual core x5 (Apollo Lake) processor and includes multiple premium industry-firsts for consumers like wireless rear-seat navigation, comprehensive weather forecasts along a route, Foursquare’s Location Intelligence and Places Database, and unique integration of Amazon’s cloud-based Alexa voice service.

According to Kip Dondlinger, Garmin automotive OEM manager of product and user experience, “The new platform provides adaptable hardware and software for infotainment head units that suit specific OEM needs at the mid- and high-end levels of the market.”

With the new approach, Garmin utilizes predictive routing algorithms that work with AccuWeather Go powered by MinuteCast technology to display the weather conditions that can be expected along any given route.  As a result, it offers comprehensive minute-by-minute weather forecasts with Superior Accuracy to pinpoint exact routes.

The Garmin scalable infotainment platform also  works with Alexa works directly with the on-board navigation and media player software established by Garmin – which means no smartphones or apps required. Consumers can select their destination with the Alexa hands-free voice service and then have it automatically synced to turn-by-turn navigation from Garmin. What’s more, consumers can ask Alexa questions and receive both audio and on-screen responses; play music through the head unit’s media player; control home automation while traveling on the road; and access hundreds of other Alexa skills from the vehicle’s head unit.

In addition, Garmin also uses the infotainment platform for Wireless Rear Seat Navigation and Entertainment. Tablets or smartphones – Apple or Android – will have access to the head unit’s mapping and full navigation functionality streaming over Wi-Fi to the rear seat. Rear seat passengers will be able to see the vehicle’s route, search points of interest, and even send destinations to the head unit. Users can also stream media content from the infotainment system to their device via Wi-Fi, making the vehicle an entertainment hub that mimics the experience seen on commercial airliners.

Category: General Update, News