Auto PC

Windows CE in your Dashboard... Hands Free Interaction with Your Car!

Microsoft also announced Auto PC 1.0, an expandable dashboard computer running Windows CE 2.0. Auto PC will provide mobile users with easy and safe access to information and entertainment allowing users to keep their eyes on the road and their hands on the wheel. Forget a keyboard or touch-sensitive screen. Auto PC's user interface is speech based -- the driver talks to Auto PC and Auto PC talks back.

Auto PC fits in the same dashboard slot as an auto AM/FM radio or cassette player. Version 1.0 of the device will have 8 MB of RAM and 8 MB of ROM. The faceplate screen is a backlit 256x64 pixel monochrome display. As mentioned, Auto PC interfaces with the driver via a built-in microphone and talks back through car speakers connected to the device. Auto PC communicates with Palm PCs, H/PCs, and other devices via a built-in IrDA port and Compact Flash slot. Since the Auto PC replaces a car AM/FM stereo, it will also have a built-in AM/FM tuner and CD ROM player.

A "test drive"

The folks at Microsoft were kind enough to show me the Auto PC at the Consumer Electronics Show. The hardware did look very much like the AM/FM stereo I have in my car, except that it had a backlit screen in the middle of the faceplate (see photo above). There were navigation buttons on the faceplate, allowing the user to select options, but with the voice interface, I don't think the driver will be using the buttons much (except, perhaps, while parked).

I put Auto PC through its paces. The first thing I wanted to do was, of course, turn on the radio and listen to some music. They showed me how to activate the voice interface. With a few very simple commands I asked Auto PC to turn on the radio, go to a specific FM station frequency. The volume was too low so I asked Auto PC to turn it up, then down, changed stations a few time, and was generally impressed that Auto PC didn't make any mistakes. The speech technology in Auto PC 1.0 will focus on command and control of the device (i.e., start the FM turner, go to contacts, etc.). You will be able to train Auto PC to recognize your voice. Subsequent versions of the Auto PC will have dictation capability and a more conversational interface.

Most auto car AM/FM stereos have buttons you can program to go to your favorite station. While you're driving, all you do is press the button (instead of fiddling with the tuner). Auto PC has a similar feature using a voice command (like a "voice macro"). I programmed Auto PC to recognize the call letters of a station (i.e., "KRNA") as a request to turn on the radio, go to that station, and turn the volume up real loud! This feature can be used with any of the Auto PCs functions (AM/FM tuner, CD player, address book, etc.).

Next, they showed me how to look up an address. Again, very simple voice commands take you to the Auto PC version of the Contacts application. Speak out the name of the person and contact information, including phone number and street address are displayed. Auto PC will come with options that allow you to display the desired address on a map of the area, to help you find the address. Vehicles can even be equipped with Global Positions Satellite systems to display the vehicles position on a displayed map.

Auto PC comes with a CD ROM player in addition to the AM/FM tuner. Once you place the audio CD in the player, you can access its features via voice commands (turn it up, down, go to different tracks on the CD, etc.).

The Auto PC comes with a Compact Flash slot that lets you add memory, wireless modems, and other Compact Flash devices. Microsoft was demonstrating the Auto PC features with the Clarion Auto PC (see photo). The Compact Flash slot on this device is located to the right of the number pad. Next, Microsoft showed me the Auto PC's IrDA infrared port. They pointed the infrared port of an HP 620LX Handheld PC at the Auto PC and "squirted" contact information for the H/PC Contact application to the Auto PC Address Book. It took about 5 seconds to transfer 3 items. They also demonstrated the turn-by-turn navigation system and the Auto PC's email capabilities. They did not show me the optional GPS capabilities (we were inside the convention center) or the diagnostics capability.

A Standard for In-Car Computing

Microsoft hopes that Auto PC will become the standard for in-car computing, entertainment, and data communication. However, there is some competition.

Microsoft believes that Auto PC will be attractive to automobile manufacturers and developers of in-car computers. Developing applications for Windows CE (in the H/PC, Palm PC, Auto PC or other systems) requires the same programming languages and skills as developing for Windows 95/98 and Windows NT. There are a large number of skilled developers already available (over one million, according to Microsoft). In addition, Windows CE is already in its second version and Microsoft shows every sign of strongly supporting it and continuing to develop its capabilities. For these and other reasons Microsoft feels that Auto PC will provide an easier and less-expensive approach to the development of car computer solutions.

Auto PCs will be marketed to mobile business professionals and luxury car owners, and sold to existing car owners, or offered as an option to new car buyers. According to Microsoft, the price per unit for individual buyers will be in the $1,000 range. (So far, Clarion is the only manufacturer to announce a shipping date for the Auto PC. Clarion's unit will be available in May in limited quantities. It will be priced under $1,300.) In addition, Microsoft feels that Auto PC will be popular with fleet operators with vertical market applications (i.e., companies with mobile sales, service, and delivery forces), audiophiles and new technology early adopters.