BMW Group Opts for Bluetooth Technology

Munch, Germany, August 22, 2000 Always reachable, always up to date, constant
access to the global information network - this is part and parcel of the
lifestyle characteristic of successful people today. Even with a mobile phone
and the Internet, communication between different pieces of equipment still
requires extra technology and organization which is cumbersome. A new
technology by the name of Bluetooth is now about to simplify the situation.

All information connections which hitherto been made rather awkwardly by means
of cables will in future be made without them - computers, printers, mobile
phones, laptops and organizers will soon talk to each other by radio signal.
This is made possible by means of a chip which can transmit voices and data
over short distances without the use of cables. It will be cheap,
internationally usable, have a high rate of transmission with a low degree of
energy consumption, have the capacity to correct transmission errors and
provide safe encoding functions for sensitive documents.

With this technology, BMW Group intends to make the automobile into a mobile
information platform. The installation of a Bluetooth chip allows simple
connections to be made from navigation systems, audio systems and car
telephones to other consumer appliances such as laptops, mobile phones and
organizers. One of the
great benefits is the independence from any particular manufacturer. "The
lifetime of an automobile is much longer than that of a digital appliance,"
says Burkhard Göschel, Development Director of the Group. "With the Bluetooth
standard, the customer can buy a new piece of equipment at any time and use it
in his car without any additional installations."

The idea for this technological miracle was created in 1994 by the Swedish
company Ericsson Mobile Communications. Research results were so encouraging
that five companies with the relevant expertise got together in February 1995
to set up a "Special Interest Group " (SIG), which now numbers1,883 companies.
In March 1999 a standard was agreed on for Bluetooth. "This kind of plan can
only function on a global scale if all interfaces are uniform throughout the
world", explains Burkhard Göschel. For example, a frequency has been agreed on
for Bluetooth which has international clearance.

The name of Bluetooth was chosen by the inventors of this cable-free technology
in order to honour one of their ancestors: the Viking King Harald Blåtand
dedicated himself to the unity of the Scandinavian peoples in the 10th century.
The unity of a cable-free network thus commemorates his achievements. In fact,
the word "Blåtand" does not mean "blue tooth" at all but "dark-skinned, tall
man". Nonetheless, the
English expression Bluetooth has now become established worldwide.

The technology which Bluetooth makes possible could make all our lives a lot
easier. For example, a mobile telephone with the appropriate technology could
be used at home as a cordless telephone at regular network call rates, away
from home as a mobile phone and within range of another Bluetooth telephone as
a walkie-talkie free of charge. Or: a Bluetooth headphone set automatically
makes the connection to mobile phone, laptop, home telephone or car. Surfing on
the Internet becomes easier too: one can get into cyberspace via laptop,
telephone or mobile phone without any cables. In particular, Bluetooth comes
into its own in the office: the manager no longer has to check his calendar
with the secretary in the morning, the sales rep will not have to update his
customer orders from the company network, the customer consultant will not have
to constantly compare her telephone book with the latest lists.
With Bluetooth, all computers connect up with each other as soon as you enter
the office, taking care of all these tasks on their own. And at conferences,
participants can exchange documents between their computers without cable
connections.

But it is in the automobile that the Bluetooth user comes to enjoy vast
freedom. "The possibilities of communication are huge here, both for work and
private use," says Burkhard Göschel. "For example, in the automobile you
can:·exchange travel route data and additional travel information between the
navigation system and a laptop. You can then be reached outside the
vehicle.·make telephone numbers and addresses from the organiser database
available via the car telephone or the navigation system,·update appointments
and·use the hands-free system of the mobile phone without cable connections,·or
the kids can watch TV on the rear seat, listen to music on headphones or surf
the
Internet whilst father is accessing the latest share information."

In addition to customer use, Bluetooth technology also offers further
applications in all areas of the automobile trade, from manufacture to repair.
"If every car has a Bluetooth chip, it can be constantly tracked during
production," says Burkhard Göschel. "We fit every car individually according to
customer wishes. The logistics
required for this to happen could be run through Bluetooth in future. The chip
could stay in the car and take on further important functions. " It could
simplify final production tests, for example, help the dealer in his
stock-taking process and support diagnosis for later repairs. Wherever
interfaces for cars are different today, Bluetooth will introduce a uniform
standard.

When will the first cars fitted with Bluetooth come off the production line?
"It will probably take at least another two years," says Burkhard Göschel. "The
ambitious schedule which the electronics industry set itself has not been kept
to. We shall have to wait a little while yet before the BMW Group can offer
mobile communication platforms with Bluetooth."