XM To Unveil Concept Car Tech At CES

XM Satellite Radio will unveil what it calls the XM Advanced Services vehicle, a concept car featuring in-car video, voice command, weather alerts, parking space locator, and other technologies next week at the 2006 Consumer Electronics Show (CES).

All the new technologies to be showcased can be delivered directly to cars via XM's network of satellites and ground repeaters, the same satellite delivery system that XM uses to broadcast its satellite radio service.

The XM Advanced Services vehicle is a specially-equipped 2006 Lexus LX 470.

XM and On2 Technologies will show new in-vehicle satellite video technologies for consumers designed to receive audio and video entertainment from XM. Video content can be either streamed live or stored for later playback.

The XM Advanced Services vehicle will have a voice command system developed with VoiceBox Technologies. The VoiceBox platform lets drivers and passengers use normal speech to control the XM radio. For instance, the driver can ask to hear a certain kind of music, such as jazz, and VoiceBox will ask which of XM's five jazz channels the driver would like to hear. The driver can reply and the XM radio changes the channel.

The XM Advanced Services vehicle also offers a demonstration of XM WeatherLink, a new concept that delivers advanced warning of weather-related driving conditions in real time. Developed with XM's partner WxWorx, a division of Baron Services, using the same technology behind the acclaimed XM WX Satellite Weather service for marine and aviation, XM WeatherLink alerts drivers to weather conditions on the road ahead.

The XM Advanced Services vehicle will also showcase the ability to find parking spaces. XM, in conjunction with partners Nu-Metrics, and InfoGation, will demonstrate its "ParkingLink" capability concept, which works with the car's navigation system to find available parking spots. The system shows the actual number of spaces available at designated parking facilities on the vehicle navigation map, and uses color-keyed icons to indicate the percentage availability of each facility.

The Lexus LX 470 concept car will be displayed at CES January 5 - 8 in the Las Vegas Convention Center's North Hall at the XM Satellite Radio booth #4606.