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BMW Technology Office Demos In-Vehicle Computing Concept at JavaOne

7 June 2000

BMW Leverages Java with Technology Provided by Bonita Software

    SAN FRANCISCO - The BMW Technology Office USA will demonstrate what in-vehicle computing might look like in the future at the JavaOne 2000 trade show in San Francisco from June 5 through June 9.

    A conceptual prototype based on the Java programming language will be shown in a "technology exploration" version of BMW's highly acclaimed Sports Activity Vehicle called the TX5. In an effort to shorten the product development cycle times for automotive electronics, BMW chose to evaluate Java as a potential means of achieving microprocessor and operating system independence for vehicle-based computing applications. Various vehicle-centric and Internet-related applications will be demonstrated in conjunction with an intuitive user interface allowing simple, safe control of the vehicle environment. The technology enabling the rapid development of this prototype is based on an open API Java framework provided by Bonita Software.

    The mission of the Technology Office is to help create and conceive innovative products working with partners in Silicon Valley. Driver assistance and wireless communications are important areas of focus, along with advanced electronics and smart materials. BMW expects that partnerships with companies such as Bonita Software will help maintain a leadership position in the world of automotive technology. The BMW Technology Office USA was established is 1998 to be close to companies and research laboratories that lead the field in their respective areas. Efforts will be aided by partnerships with some of the world's elite technology companies.

    The ToGo Mobile Solutions in the TX5 development car provides drivers with wireless Internet connectivity and a "mobile office" - allowing them access to their existing email accounts and remote PIM (Personal Information Manager) applications such as contact and calendar data. The in-car system integrates the mobile office applications with existing car functions such as navigation, HVAC, and radio controls.

    "The BMW Technology Office has really brought their expertise in driver-oriented engineering to bear in this project," said Graham Poor, CTO of Bonita Software. "The ToGo solution allowed BMW to utilize the strength of Bonita's framework and rapidly build a prototype that provides industry leading features and gracefully handles intermittent connections associated with the wireless Internet."

    Bonita has developed ToGo to allow the end-user to set up profiles for content delivery and notification. For example, a person can specify to receive updates to a stock ticker every 20 minutes, personalized news information every 4 hours or automatic alerts on specific emails. The ToGo solution connects and stores the content as specified by the profiles so it can be accessed as needed or on demand. Now when a person is in a tunnel or another bad reception area they can still access their mobile office. "We made it as if you are always connected even if you're only connected two minutes a day," continues Poor.

    The TX5 provides the driver with a personal information system that leverages the convenience of wireless connectivity and the power of the Internet to optimize drive time.

    Bonita's ToGo Mobile Solutions provides a solid framework and intuitive tool enabling programmers to quickly and easily build the customized wireless Internet service. The development cycle was shortened through the use of ToGo API abstractions of Application (business logic), Model (datasource), and View (UI representation). Engineers merely plugged in their implementation of Application, Model, and View, and the API automatically handled application starting and switching, as well as incorporation into the existing application suite presentation.

    BMW IN AMERICA
    BMW entered the U.S. market in 1975. Since then, the company has grown to include marketing, sales and financial service organizations in the United States; a South Carolina manufacturing operation; a design firm in California; a technology office in Palo Alto and various other operations throughout the country. BMW is represented in the U.S. through a network of more than 340 car, 300 Sports Activity Vehicle and 160 motorcycle retailers. BMW US Holding Corp., the Group's headquarters for North, Central and South America, is located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.