AirIQ Works With Delphi to Create A Bold Vision For Vehicle
Telematics
TORONTO, Ontario and TROY, Michigan - September 4, 2002 - AirIQ Inc.
, a vendor in the telematics industry and Delphi Corp., a world leader in mobile electronics, transportation components and systems
technology, today announced an agreement to co-develop a vehicle interface
module, providing standard connectivity to enhance telematics services.
Telematics is the sending and receiving of information to and from vehicles
and their drivers via wireless networks in real-time. Most vehicles today
are equipped with electronics that are able to capture relevant information
about the vehicle's activities and performance. With the standard interface
that AirIQ and Delphi will develop, AirIQ's telematics devices will provide
vehicle information such as trouble codes and on-board vehicle system
monitoring to AirIQ's customers. The interface will be developed to support
specifications for both passenger vehicles and commercial trucks.
Delphi Delco Electronics Systems and Delphi Integrated Service Solutions
(Delphi-ISS) are working together to provide AirIQ with specific firmware
and software allowing vehicle data parameters to be transmitted wirelessly
to a centralized facility. Once this data arrives at AirIQ's network
operations centre, AirIQ's system will leverage Delphi Integrated Service
Solutions' patented techniques to analyze the data and make vehicle service
recommendations.
"The availability of a vehicle interface that is connected directly to the
vehicle's electronics system will advance and automate the flow of additional information between AirIQ's customers and their fleets," said
Donald E. Simmonds, President and CEO of AirIQ. "With a world class manufacturer like Delphi, we will leverage our specialized expertise to
offer a more comprehensive suite of telematics services."
"Clearly, this agreement with AirIQ is consistent with the strategic
direction in our segment. We will leverage the building blocks of our
technology and vehicle systems expertise to guide the development of
standard vehicle connectivity," said Dr. Robert W. Schumacher, Delphi's
Business Line Executive for Wireless Products.
The agreement is a strategic step toward developing industry standards for
accessing vehicle information for the telematics marketplace. AirIQ and
Delphi will create a foundation for increasing the use of electronics to
enhance vehicle performance, productivity, convenience and safety for
passengers and fleet owners.
About AirIQ: AirIQ trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol
IQ. A leader in mobile resource management, AirIQ is headquartered in
Pickering, near Toronto, Canada. The Company operates as a wireless Internet
applications service provider specializing in Telematics. Telematics is the
name given to information and control messages sent via wireless to and from
vehicles and their drivers in real-time. AirIQ's services are offered to
three large vertical markets, including rental vehicle fleets, commercial
transport fleets and service companies. AirIQ gives fleet
managers a wealth of information about their vehicles, including vehicle
location, boundary notification, automated inventory, maintenance reminders,
security alerts and remote vehicle disabling. AirIQ also offers dispatch
services that enable clients to send and receive job information to and from
any PC, via the Internet, to the display of their mobile workers' portable
wireless device.
About Delphi: Multi-national Delphi Corporation, with headquarters in Troy,
Mich., USA, Paris, Tokyo and São Paulo, Brazil, is a world leader in mobile
electronics and transportation components and systems technology. Delphi's
three business sectors - Dynamics & Propulsion; Safety, Thermal & Electrical
Architecture; and Electronics & Mobile Communication - provide comprehensive
product solutions to complex customer needs. Delphi has approximately
191,000 employees and operates 179 wholly owned manufacturing sites, 42
joint ventures, 53 customer centers and sales offices and 32 technical
centers in 41 countries.
For more information: http://www.airiq.com
and http://www.delphi.com
MobileInfo Comments and Advisory: Airiq and Delphi
are not moving the state of the art. There are others who have done
this before. However, they are building a more modern Vehicle
Information System with standardized and cheaper components
(including handhelds) what had been done by Qualcomm by using
proprietary technology, about 8 years ago. Airiq and Delphi will
have to be patient - we are bullish about Telematics but only in the
long run. More than being patient, they will have to build systems
that are easy to install by fleet owners. That will require easy
customization.