News
Issue #2001 - 26 (June 2001)
(Updated June 27,  2001)

APPLICATIONS

HP, Ericsson to Hit the Road with Wireless Cabs

Taxi cabs in Singapore, and later around the world, are about to join the mobility revolution. 

By the end of the year, taxi passengers in Singapore will be able to surf the Web, send e-mail, and even print their own receipt all from the backseat. 

Hewlett Packard and Ericsson Singapore have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with one of Singapore's largest taxi fleet operators CityCab Pte. Ltd. The companies plan to implement a mobile service that will allow taxi passengers and drivers to wirelessly access the Internet. The project is code named Project Escalade, which is backed by an $8-million investment. The first trial could involve 500 CityCab taxis.

While passengers are surfing the Net, taxi drivers will be able to access mapping and routing information as well as accept various e-payment options and process bookings.

According to CityCab's chief executive officer Lim Hung Siang, the project will not only enhance the commuting experience of their customers but radically improve the operating efficiencies of their fleet management. 

How Project Escalate Works

• Each cab now becomes a private area network that passengers can access with their own PDAs 
• The private network is linked to other public networks, such as GSM and GPRS
• HP will supply the voice-recognition technology that will enable CityCab to automatically process calls from passengers and send the booking orders across the wireless network to HP handhelds installed in each cab
• Handheld PCs will replace CityCab's Mobile Data Terminals
• Ericsson will develop mobile Internet applications to offer taxi related services to support network standards as well as location-based technology and Bluetooth capabilities

"The open standard platform will open the door to numerous other e-services and potential m-commerce opportunities, transforming our company into a service provider in this Internet age," said Lim Hung Siang.

For more information: http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/newsroom/press/19jun01b.htm

Mobileinfo Comments and Advisory: It is interesting to note that Singapore takes the lead in taxi cab automation. We remember that Singapore had the largest automated taxi fleet automation application in mid 90s. Now they are extending it to bring the Internet to the back seat of a cab. Well done, CityCab. Let Yellow Cabs of New York take a few lessons from our brethren in Asia.

Note: This news release may contain forward-looking statements. Readers should take appropriate caution in developing plans utilizing these products, services and technology architectures.  All trademarks used in this summary are the property of their respective owners.