ZF is Entering the Market for Telematics Solutions in a Strategic Alliance with Intel

The system, made up of an on-board unit for the vehicles and a web-based software portal for evaluation purposes, will probably be available as from 2011. The open structure of openmatics equally provides for several advantages: The system can integrate future, third-party software developments; in other words, programs which make the system even more versatile and attractive for its users. Moreover, openmatics takes a major step towards standardizing and integrating several individual telematics solutions – something that transport operators are already requesting today.

Telematics services are spreading quickly; until now, however, mainly as stand-alone solutions. Be it the debiting of road charges, emergency call functions, or just citybus fleet management in general: Often, the systems act independently of one another, fleet owners have to install each unit in the vehicle, screw on antennas for radio communication, and conclude service contracts.

With openmatics” ZF and Intel are now embarking on a different path. The open, powerful system will meet all requirements for telematics services and is to further standardize the market in the future. The system platform openmatics consists of a hardware box and, in its core, a powerful Intel Atom processor. In terms of features and interfaces, the box is therefore ready to fulfill all present and many future telematics services for citybusses - including multimedia applications. It sends the data to a web portal in real time via 3G, GPRS, and WLAN. Software applications on the web portal are in charge of the specific evaluation and processing of data. Depending on the application, different authorized target user groups can access these results: from the Service technician who receives information about possible malfunctions in the vehicle's technology up to the fleet manager, who can monitor the expected arrival times of his vehicles.

The system architecture has been designed to be as open and independent as possible, says Dr. Michael Paul, Executive Vice President for Technology at ZF Friedrichshafen AG. This makes telematics services particularly attractive. Especially major transit authorities with a mixed citybus fleet could benefit from a standard: Instead of installing a variety of hardware boxes and antennas in and on their vehicles and integrating these in the CAN bus data traffic, openmatics provides a platform for all solutions.

Intel's expertise plays a role both in the Atom chip and in the system architecture, and ZF contributes its knowledge regarding vehicle drivelines, the web portal, and business applications. By way of example, planning of transmission servicing and diagnosis can take place via openmatics if a citybus is fitted with a ZF transmission – previously, ZF had a system of its own for this purpose.

Open platform for all applications

However, openmatics is also open for the applications of vehicle manufacturers and third-party providers. ZF is already contacting renowned fleet management system providers in order to make the openmatics platform compatible with all common software solutions in this field. Another feature is that additional applications, also known as 'Apps', can be developed by vehicle manufacturers or third parties and sold to new user groups via the platform. A universal offer thus makes it even more attractive for the users.

The cooperation of Intel and ZF is independent of vehicle manufacturers and predestined for a such an approach: Apart from hardware and software knowledge, Intel contributes its expertise in standardizing open IT solutions, and ZF is a driveline expert which can also contribute its worldwide service network, which is also available when installing or retrofitting openmatics.

After the conclusion of the development in 2010, prototype and preliminary tests at key customers' are scheduled as well as the set-up of the web portal. As from 2011, an 'AppStore' will be set up, where customers can order the range offered by third parties. SoP is scheduled for early 2011.