LTE Car Debuts Before LTE Networks

In a high technology example of putting the cart before the horse, a group of companies Wednesday debuted a LTE connected car, even though there's a dearth of LTE networks up and running.

The LTE Connected Car, unveiled at the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai is loaded with infotainment features. Its sponsors include Alcatel-Lucent, Harman International Industries, QNX Software Systems Co. and Samsung. The vehicle is based on a 2010 Shanghai Volkswagen Touran platform.

Alcatel-Lucent set up a live LTE network at the expo so the Connected Car's video/audio, online games, remote maintenance and enhanced navigation features can be demonstrated to expo-goers.

"The LTE Connected Car demonstrates HD IPTV and HD video surveillance services," states a release from the ng Connect Program, which set up the demo. "Access to the services is provided through multiple touch screens in the car for the driver and passengers."

The LTE radio antennae technology supporting the vehicle's advanced in-car communications was provided by Alcatel-Lucent. Cloud-based Video on Demand apps are provided by Alcatel-Lucent's Emerging Technology and Media group. The QNX CAR Application Platform provides system software and infotainment apps including a real-time operating system, touchscreen user interfaces, streaming media players and other features. The end-user devices connecting to the LTE network have been provided by Samsung.

The ng Connect Program and its LTE Connected Car are harbingers of other 4G/LTE programs under development including point of sale (PoS) technologies, advertising programs, gaming, and security applications. Alcatel-Lucent said the research is designed to determine how consumers can use next generation, ultra broadband networks. There are 38 global members of the ng Connect Program.