English

HARMAN Extends Automakers Lifecycle with Vehicle Specific Infotainment Upgrade Packages

Report this content

HARMAN’s Vehicle Specific Infotainment Upgrade package offers OEMs flexible infotainment solutions that can be added to cars even after they leave the factory floor

CES 2014, LAS VEGAS – HARMAN, the premium global audio and infotainment group (NYSE:HAR) is introducing a flexible and upgradable infotainment solution for automakers that can be installed even after the car has left the factory floor, without sacrificing the integrated user experience of a factory-installed system.  These Vehicle Specific Infotainment Upgrade packages are built on HARMAN’s Semi-OEM Platform, which leverages a modular design, software updateability, and feature sets that can be customized for the needs of global automakers. During the 2014 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, HARMAN will demonstrate the ease and speed of software upgrades to the system, which can be performed in less than 30 seconds.

Today’s consumers demand in-car solutions that enable their digital lifestyle to follow them wherever they go.  Similarly, automakers wish to have the flexibility to extend the lifespan of their in-car infotainment solutions to match the eight to 10-year lifespan of a car.  HARMAN’s Semi-OEM Platform provides automakers and end-customers with the ability to expand hardware and software of their vehicle infotainment head unit leading to an always up-to-date user experience.

HARMAN's Vehicle Specific Infotainment Upgrades are packaged on a small snap-in box connected to a prewired cradle that is installed either at the production line, by the dealer or even by the end-customer.  Once installed, the device fully connects to the existing car infrastructure, e.g. steering-wheel buttons, touch screens, rotary controls, etc, assuring high quality and secure integration. HARMAN’s Vehicle-Specific Infotainment Upgrade packages also support the Aha by HARMAN Cloud Platform managing software and feature updates. The system offers a set of additional features such as latest navigation software including live services or OEM-specific applications. The required connectivity is provided either by a build-in cellular modem or by a connected smart phone depending on the Semi-OEM platform variant.

“At CES, HARMAN is showcasing exciting new solutions that upgrade, connect, and improve the infotainment and audio experiences for vehicles on the road today,” said David Slump, president, HARMAN Automotive Services.  “The hardware and software modularity of HARMAN's Semi-OEM Platform allows automakers to bring Vehicle Specific Infotainment Upgrade packages to consumers and better align the consumer-electronics and automotive technology life-cycles.”

Combined with HARMANS`s head unit leadership and HARMAN`s cloud platform expertise, HARMAN’s Semi-OEM Platform offers multiple benefits to automakers and end-customers:

  • Simple, safe and secure upgrade of vehicle infotainment system.
  • High quality driving experience by extending the life-cycle of the head unit and embracing future CE-developments.
  • High flexibility by enabling installations at the production line and the dealer site.
  • Reduction of head unit variants in automakers’ portfolios.

HARMAN at CES 2014

Visit HARMAN during CES 2014 for a demonstration of the Vehicle Specific Infotainment Platform as well as the company’s full portfolio of infotainment and lifestyle audio systems.  The ONE HARMAN experience showcase is located at the Hard Rock Hotel.  Follow HARMAN online during CES 2014:

About HARMAN

HARMAN designs, manufactures, and markets a wide range of infotainment and audio solutions for the automotive, consumer, and professional markets. It is a recognized world leader across its customer segments with premium brands including AKG®, Harman Kardon®, Infinity®, JBL®, Lexicon®, and Mark Levinson® and leading-edge connectivity, safety and audio technologies. 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 14,600 people across the Americas, Europe, and Asia and reported sales of $4.5 billion for the twelve months ended September 30, 2013. The company’s shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol NYSE:HAR. Please visit www.harman.com for more information

For more information contact:

Darrin Shewchuk                                              

HARMAN                     

Tel.: +1-203-328-3500                                                    

darrin.shewchuk@harman.com   

Tags:

OEM infotainment harman Harman Kardon CES 2014 Harman CES 2014 Infotainment upgrades

Documents & Links