HARMAN delivers next-generation internet connectivity for Audi MMI infotainment system
KARLSBAD, Germany – HARMAN, the premium global audio and infotainment group (NYSE:HAR) said today that it has started deliveries of its latest-generation automotive infotainment system to premium automaker Audi. The new Audi MMI® Navigation plus platform is the latest in a series of solutions from HARMAN that safely and securely deliver a broad range of connected lifestyle services to the vehicle.
HARMAN designed the fully integrated infotainment unit to facilitate high-quality playback of diverse music and video files through seamless connectivity via such devices as iPod, Hard Disk Drive, smartphones, and USB devices. The Audi-specific human machine interface (HMI) ensures that each system function is accessible with minimal user distraction and maximum ease of use. The new MMI touch function gives drivers a convenient means of configuring the navigation system while keeping their attention on the road ahead. Using a separate touchpad in the center console, users can easily enter addresses, select music tracks, or initiate a telephone conversation. The MMI Touch function accommodates a wide range of text inputs, including Japanese, Chinese and Cyrillic characters.
Equally state-of-the art are the Audi online services which allows the car to retrieve up-to-date information from the internet via the optionally integrated GPRS/EDGE (UMTS) modem and on-board WLAN Hotspot. Drivers and passengers can search online using a variety of sources including Google Earth and Google Maps. Harman has also enabled the new infotainment unit to download and display emails from vehicle occupants’ portable devices and smartphones.
HARMAN’s integration expertise in best-in-class navigation also delivers rich new detail for map and travel data. 3D navigation views offer increased realism, helping drivers to safely select the appropriate route via a City Model function and Google Street View. 3-D terrain models based on Google Maps data provide additional detail such as road elevation, presenting route data to the driver in the most intuitive manner. Dynamic route guidance is also available, thanks to embedded Real Time Traffic information.
This latest release is the third infotainment project that HARMAN has delivered for Audi, with manufacturing based in Harman’s Straubing, Germany facility. The new HARMAN system will premiere aboard the 2013 Audi A3.
About HARMAN
HARMAN (www.harman.com) designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment solutions for the automotive, consumer and professional markets — supported by 15 leading brands, including AKG®, Harman Kardon®, Infinity®, JBL®, Lexicon® and Mark Levinson®. The Company is admired by audiophiles across multiple generations and supports leading professional entertainers and the venues where they perform. More than 25 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. HARMAN has a workforce of about 13,900 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported net sales of $4.4 billion for year ended June 30, 2012. The Company's shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol NYSE:HAR.
© 2012 HARMAN International Industries, Incorporated. All rights reserved. Harman Kardon, Infinity, JBL, Lexicon and Mark Levinson are trademarks of HARMAN International Industries, Incorporated, registered in the United States and/or other countries. AKG is a trademark of AKG Acoustics GmbH, registered in the United States and/or other countries. Academy Award is a registered trademark and service mark of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. GRAMMY Award is a registered trademark of the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences. iPad, iPhone and iPod are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Features, specifications and appearance are subject to change without notice.
For further information please contact:
Nicole Mehr Darrin Shewchuk
Tel.: +49-7248-71-1272 Tel: +1 203-328-3834
nicole.mehr@harman.com darrin.shewchuk@harman.com
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